Windsor

About Windsor

Windsor makes an easy day trip from London, but it works better if you arrive early and accept that the castle is the main event. Windsor Castle still serves as a royal residence, and its State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and ceremonial spaces justify the admission cost more than many famous London attractions do. Buy your ticket from the official source and check the opening days before travelling, since royal events and chapel services can change access. The castle can close partly or fully with little romance and plenty of inconvenience. Queues build quickly after mid-morning, especially at weekends and during school holidays. Keep some time for the Changing of the Guard, but check the current schedule rather than relying on an old guidebook. It does not happen every day, and the timings can change. Security checks also slow entry, so avoid arriving with a large bag. From London, trains run to Windsor & Eton Central via Slough from Paddington, while Windsor & Eton Riverside has direct services from Waterloo. The two stations are close to the town centre, so you can choose based on your departure point and fare rather than pretending one route is magically superior.

Once inside, allow at least two to three hours for Windsor Castle if you want to see the principal rooms without rushing. St George’s Chapel is one of the strongest parts of the visit, although it is a working place of worship and may close for services. Outside the castle, walk down Castle Hill and along the pedestrianised section of Windsor High Street. It is touristy, with predictable souvenir shops and restaurants aimed at visitors who have stopped reading menus critically, but the setting remains useful for a short break. For a better walk, cross the river into Eton and follow Eton High Street past its historic buildings, then continue towards the river paths if the weather is reasonable. The Long Walk, starting near the castle and running south through Windsor Great Park, is another worthwhile option. It gives you distance from the crowds and a clear view back towards the castle, though it is a long open route with limited shelter. Wear sensible shoes. Windsor’s polished streets do not cancel the laws of pavement and weather. If you have only one day, skip adding several paid attractions. The castle plus Eton and the Long Walk is a fuller plan than collecting admission tickets like fridge magnets.

Food in central Windsor ranges from respectable pubs to expensive cafés with views that do most of the work. Look around the streets just away from Castle Hill for better value, and book ahead if you want a proper meal at a popular time. A pub lunch, a pie, or a simple sandwich is usually enough for a day spent walking. Windsor tourism is busiest from late morning through mid-afternoon, so arriving before the first major crowds or staying into the early evening makes the town easier to handle. Families may choose LEGOLAND Windsor, but treat it as a separate full-day outing rather than squeezing it between the castle and a train home. Local buses serve the wider area, although walking covers the central sights more efficiently. Windsor is not a budget destination by British day-trip standards, particularly once castle admission and food are included, but public transport and a self-guided walking route keep costs under control. Check official travel and attraction information shortly before departure for train engineering works, royal closures, ticket rules and current visiting arrangements. That small bit of planning prevents the classic Windsor mistake: spending more time admiring a locked gate than the castle behind it.

Sightseeing in Windsor

Windsor Castle is the main reason most people visit Windsor, and it deserves the attention, provided you plan around the crowds. The castle remains a working royal residence, so access can change when the King is in residence or for official events. Inside, you can see the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and the grounds, although the route involves security checks and a fair amount of walking. Buy tickets from the official castle website rather than from street sellers or resellers adding a needless markup. Arrive close to opening time, especially at weekends and during school holidays. The Changing of the Guard attracts large crowds, and its schedule is not guaranteed every day, so check the current arrangements before travelling. St George’s Chapel is one of the best parts of the visit, with strong medieval detail and royal connections, but it is a place of worship, not just another photo stop. It is usually closed to visitors on Sundays, with services taking priority. Sensible, really. Even the monarchy has a day off from sightseeing.

From Windsor Castle, walk down Castle Hill and through the town centre towards the Long Walk. This broad avenue runs south from the castle to the Copper Horse statue in Windsor Great Park. You do not need to complete the full route to enjoy it. The section nearest the castle gives you the classic view back towards the Round Tower, while the full walk takes roughly an hour each way, depending on your pace and stops. Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground and do not assume every stretch has a café or toilet nearby. Windsor Great Park is separate from the castle ticket, and its wide open landscape makes a useful escape after the tight security queues and indoor rooms. The town itself is compact, with shops, cafés and restaurants around Peascod Street, Thames Street and Windsor Royal Station. Some venues are aimed squarely at day-trippers, so compare menus before sitting down. For better value, look beyond the immediate castle frontage and consider a pub meal or a simple lunch away from the busiest pedestrian streets.

Cross Windsor Bridge on foot and you reach Eton, technically a different town but an easy part of the same visit. Eton High Street has old brick buildings, independent shops and the famous Eton College, founded in the fifteenth century. You can see parts of the college from public streets, but access inside is controlled and guided tours operate only at certain times. Do not wander through gates expecting an informal look around. That is a quick way to become memorable to the porter for the wrong reason. From Eton, continue along the River Thames for a quieter walk, or take a boat trip when services are running. River cruises can be pleasant in good weather, though they are not essential if your budget is tight. A riverside walk gives you similar scenery for nothing, apart from the occasional temptation to buy an overpriced ice cream. The Windsor and Eton Riverside paths also give photographers a less crowded view of the castle than the main streets.

Getting to Windsor by public transport is straightforward. Windsor & Eton Central connects with London Paddington via Slough, while Windsor & Eton Riverside has services from London Waterloo. Check the timetable on the day because engineering work can alter routes, particularly at weekends. From either station, the castle and central sights are within a short walk, so a taxi is rarely necessary. If you have extra time and children in your group, Legoland Windsor is a major nearby attraction, but treat it as a separate full-day outing rather than something to squeeze in after the castle. It sits outside the town centre and needs its own transport planning. For a practical Windsor sightseeing itinerary, allow at least half a day for the castle and town, then add Eton or the Long Walk if you have more time. Avoid arriving late in the afternoon and expecting to see everything. Windsor is easy to reach, but its queueing system is still capable of defeating an optimistic schedule.

Hotels in Windsor

Windsor hotels cover a useful range, from smart properties on the High Street to practical chain hotels and smaller guesthouses outside the centre. Your best area depends on why you are visiting. Stay near Windsor Castle and the town centre if you want to walk to the castle, Windsor Guildhall, shops and restaurants. The Castle Hotel, Macdonald Windsor Hotel and the Harte & Garter area are among the most central options, although rates can be high and traffic around the High Street is not always relaxing. Riverside hotels, including properties close to the River Thames and Windsor Bridge, give you easier access to riverside walks and Eton. They can be quieter, but check the exact location before booking. “Near Windsor” covers a surprisingly large patch of Berkshire, and a hotel that looks close on a map may involve a bus, taxi or a determined walk with luggage.

For public transport, central Windsor is straightforward. Windsor & Eton Central station sits beside the main shopping streets and links with London Paddington via Slough. Windsor & Eton Riverside station is close to the river and serves trains from London Waterloo. This makes the centre the sensible choice if you are travelling without a car. From Heathrow, Windsor is relatively close, but the easiest route depends on your arrival terminal, luggage and the time of day. A taxi is simple but not usually the cheapest option. Check the latest rail and bus information before travelling, since connections and timetables change. Hotels near the stations save time, especially if you are making Windsor a day trip from London, but railway proximity can mean more street noise. Ask for a room away from the road if sleep matters more than the view.

Families visiting LEGOLAND Windsor Resort should think carefully before choosing a central hotel. The resort is outside the town centre, so you will need a bus, taxi or car. Some Windsor hotels advertise family rooms, but the useful details are the bed layout, bathroom arrangement, luggage space and transport options, not the number of bricks in the marketing copy. For Windsor Castle, book accommodation with enough time to reach the entrance before the busiest part of the day. The castle area becomes crowded, particularly during school holidays, summer weekends and major ceremonial events. If you want a calmer stay, look at Eton, Old Windsor or Datchet, but check the last return bus and walking route before committing. Eton is especially convenient for riverside walks, cafés and the bridge across to Windsor, while Old Windsor is more spread out and less practical without your own transport.

Hotel prices in Windsor rise around weekends, school holidays and major events in the wider area, including Royal Ascot. Compare the total cost rather than the headline room rate. Breakfast, parking, cancellation terms and local transport can change the value of a booking quickly. Parking is limited or chargeable at some central hotels, so confirm this directly with the property instead of assuming a space is included. For a modest budget, consider a weekday stay, a guesthouse a little beyond the castle quarter, or a chain hotel with clear transport links. You do not need a grand royal-themed room to enjoy Windsor. You need a clean place, a sensible location and a bed that does not treat sleep as an optional extra. Read recent reviews for noise, housekeeping, heating and room size, then check the hotel’s own terms before paying. That approach is less glamorous than booking by photograph, but it usually works better.

Restaurants in Windsor

Windsor has a useful spread of restaurants, but the best choice depends on your budget and how far you want to walk from the castle. The Ivy Royal Windsor on the High Street is the polished, reliable option for modern British and international dishes, though you pay for the setting as much as the food. It is sensible for lunch, an early dinner or a meal before a theatre visit, but book ahead for peak evening times. Côte Windsor, also on the High Street, offers familiar French brasserie food and is usually easier to understand than a menu written by someone showing off. For a less formal meal, look towards The Boatman on the riverside. It is a pub rather than a destination restaurant, with a useful location near Windsor Bridge and views towards the Thames. Expect crowds when the weather is good, especially at weekends. The walk from Windsor Castle is short, but the riverside tables are not a secret, despite what every travel brochure implies.

For independent restaurants and a wider choice of international food, walk south-west from the castle towards St Leonard’s Road. Windsor Grill is known for steaks and grilled dishes, while the area also has Indian, Turkish, Italian and other casual restaurants. Check the current menu before committing, particularly if you are travelling on a modest budget. A meal in central Windsor can become expensive once drinks, service and a few “small plates” are added. You can usually eat more sensibly by choosing a set lunch, sharing a main course with sides, or moving away from the castle and High Street. Eton, across Windsor Bridge, is another useful dining area. Gilbey’s Bar & Restaurant on Eton High Street is a long-standing choice for a more deliberate meal, while the street has pubs and cafés that work better for a quick lunch. Windsor is heavily visited during school holidays and sunny Saturdays, so arriving before the main lunch period or booking for dinner will save you from wandering around hungry while pretending to admire the architecture.

If you are planning a special occasion, the Bray restaurants are worth knowing about, but they are not in Windsor itself. Bray is a short taxi ride away, or reachable by bus depending on the service, and is home to The Fat Duck and The Waterside Inn, both famous fine-dining restaurants. These are destination meals with serious prices, advance planning and a format that can take several hours. They make sense for a celebration, not for an improvised dinner after visiting St George’s Chapel. For most visitors, staying in Windsor is simpler. Windsor & Eton Riverside, Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor Great Park provide useful reference points, although restaurant locations vary and evening public transport is less convenient than daytime service. Use a map before setting out, check current opening hours and booking rules, and allow extra time during royal events, race days and major holidays. My practical rule is simple: choose the High Street for convenience, St Leonard’s Road for better value and Eton for a quieter meal. The castle may have centuries of history, but it will not hold your table while you decide.

Transport in Windsor

Windsor is easy to reach by public transport, but the town has two railway stations, and choosing the wrong one can add an unnecessary walk. Windsor & Eton Central is the most convenient for Windsor Castle, the High Street and the town centre. It sits inside the Windsor Royal Shopping area, only a short walk from the castle entrance. Trains usually reach it by changing at Slough, with Great Western Railway services connecting Slough and Windsor. Windsor & Eton Riverside is served by South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo. It stands beside the River Thames, near the Windsor Promenade, and takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes to reach the castle on foot. Riverside is useful if you are coming from Waterloo, but Central is normally the better arrival point for sightseeing. Check the departure board carefully, because “Windsor” on a journey planner does not always mean the station closest to your hotel.

For most international visitors, Heathrow Airport is the practical airport for Windsor. The direct Green Line 703 bus links Heathrow Terminal 5 with Windsor and continues towards Bracknell, although services can be less frequent than a train and traffic around the airport is not famous for its emotional stability. From Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, use Heathrow’s free inter-terminal transport to reach Terminal 5 before taking the bus. Another option is the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Slough, followed by a local train to Windsor & Eton Central. This can be quicker at busy road times, but it involves a change and luggage is less entertaining on crowded platforms. Oyster and contactless payment are widely useful on London and regional transport, but check the complete journey before tapping in, particularly if your route includes a separate operator or a special airport ticket. A taxi from Heathrow is simpler, especially for several travellers with large bags, but it is rarely the budget choice.

Gatwick Airport is less convenient. There is no simple direct train to Windsor, so you normally need a combination of airport rail and London or regional connections. Routes through central London can involve changing stations, while a journey via Reading or Slough may look neat on a map but still requires careful checking of train times. Allow extra time if you are travelling for a flight, as a missed connection is not improved by standing beside a platform display looking offended. Coaches and private transfers may suit families with luggage, but compare the total cost with rail tickets before booking. For Heathrow or Gatwick, use the official airport and rail journey planners on the day of travel because engineering works, strikes and weekend timetable changes are common enough to matter.

Once you arrive, Windsor is mainly a walking town. The castle, Windsor Great Park, Eton Bridge and the central shopping streets are close enough to connect on foot, though the area around Castle Hill has slopes and heavy tourist traffic. Local buses run to places such as Eton, Datchet, Old Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough and Legoland Windsor, with routes and operators changing over time, so check the destination board rather than assuming every bus serves the castle. Buses are useful for Legoland and outlying hotels, but less useful for short central journeys. Taxis wait near the railway stations and are handy after dark or with luggage, while cycling is possible but not always relaxing around the castle streets. If your accommodation is near Windsor & Eton Riverside, walking to the centre is straightforward; hotels farther west or near Legoland need a proper bus check before you arrive.

Shopping in Windsor

If you want to shop in Windsor without wasting half the day, start around Peascod Street, the town’s main retail road. It runs through the centre, close to Windsor Castle, and has the usual mix of high-street clothing shops, beauty stores, cafés and practical places to buy snacks or travel basics. The street is pedestrian-friendly in parts, but it can become slow going when coach groups arrive, especially around late morning and early afternoon. For a more characterful stop, walk to Windsor Royal Shopping, the restored Victorian railway station beside Windsor & Eton Central. You will find independent shops, food outlets and familiar brands beneath the old station roof. The setting is attractive, though some shops are aimed squarely at visitors and prices can reflect the castle crowd. I would browse rather than assume every item is a good buy. The nearby King Edward Court shopping centre is more useful for ordinary retail errands, with chain stores and services. Check individual retailers before travelling, as opening times change at weekends, during school holidays and on bank holidays. Britain has made shopping hours needlessly difficult for a country that invented the timetable.

For gifts and local-style purchases, look beyond the most obvious castle souvenirs. Shops around Thames Street, Castle Hill and the lanes near the Guildhall sell British food, tea, biscuits, stationery, homeware and small presents. Some products are genuinely useful; others are simply Union Jack packaging with a larger price tag. Look for independent retailers and read labels before buying anything described as local. Windsor is not the cheapest town in the region, so compare prices with supermarkets or shops outside the tourist centre if you want tea, chocolate or basic snacks. Windsor Farmers’ Market, when operating, can be a better option for regional food and small-producer goods, but dates and stall numbers vary, so check current local information before making a special trip. Charity shops are also worth checking along the central shopping streets if you enjoy second-hand books, clothes or household items. They are less polished than gift boutiques and much more likely to contain a bargain. For a different shopping atmosphere, cross Windsor Bridge into Eton. Eton High Street has independent bookshops, antiques, clothing stores, galleries and cafés, although the area is not a low-cost alternative. It is a pleasant walk from Windsor and gives you a break from the castle-focused retail strip.

Transport is simple if you plan around the crowds. Windsor & Eton Central is close to Windsor Royal Shopping and the castle, while Windsor & Eton Riverside is a short walk from the central shopping area. Trains from London make Windsor an easy day trip, but arriving before the main tourist flow gives you quieter streets and a better chance of browsing without queueing. If you drive, research parking before setting off and expect central spaces to cost more than outlying options. Public transport is usually the less irritating choice, particularly on Saturdays and during summer visits. Carry a reusable bag because some shops charge for bags, and keep receipts if you buy clothing or gifts you may need to return. Many independent shops have limited stock, so do not assume you can exchange an item at another branch. For food shopping, use a supermarket outside the immediate castle quarter rather than paying tourist-centre prices for lunch supplies. A sensible Windsor shopping route is Peascod Street, Windsor Royal Shopping, the castle-side lanes and then Eton High Street if you still have energy. Allow extra time for security areas and crowded pavements near the castle. The best shopping in Windsor is a mix of practical high-street retail, independent gifts, second-hand finds and a scenic walk across the river, not a hunt for luxury bargains.

Nightlife in Windsor

Windsor nightlife is compact, pub-led and aimed more at conversation than all-night clubbing. Most of the action sits around Windsor town centre, with Thames Street, High Street, Peascod Street and the lanes near Windsor Castle providing the main choice of pubs, wine bars and cocktail venues. You can walk between most places in a few minutes, although the cobbles become less charming after several drinks. Traditional pubs such as The George Inn, The Carpenters Arms and The Boatman suit a relaxed evening, while bars around the centre generally attract a younger crowd later on. Eton, across Windsor Bridge, adds a few more pubs and restaurants and is worth considering if the central streets feel too busy. The scene is strongest from Thursday to Saturday, but it is not a major clubbing destination. Expect a social town night with drinks, food and live entertainment rather than a warehouse rave. That is probably good news for your hearing.

Start early if you want a table, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Around 6pm to 8pm, central pubs are usually more manageable and you have a better chance of eating without a long wait. Later, popular bars can become crowded, particularly after theatre performances or events at Windsor Racecourse. Food ranges from pub classics and burgers to Indian, Thai and Italian restaurants, with plenty of places close to the castle. Prices are generally higher than in less touristy Berkshire towns, particularly on streets nearest the castle and river. You pay for the postcode, the view or both. Check menus before sitting down if you are travelling on a modest budget. A pub meal away from the busiest tourist streets often offers better value than grazing through expensive cocktails and small plates. For drinks, local beer is worth trying, including beer from Windsor & Eton Brewery when available, but do not assume every pub stocks it. Cocktail bars can be a good choice for one carefully chosen drink, not necessarily for an entire evening unless your budget is unusually relaxed.

Getting home needs some planning. Windsor & Eton Central is close to the town centre, while Windsor & Eton Riverside is also within walking distance, but late train times vary and services are less useful after the main Saturday-night period. Check the final train before you start drinking, not when the lights come on. Taxis and ride-hailing services can be limited at busy times, and queues may form around the station and central taxi ranks. If you are staying outside Windsor, booking a return journey in advance is sensible. Dress is usually smart-casual in cocktail bars and ordinary casual clothing works in most pubs, though trainers and sportswear may not suit every door policy. Keep your group together on the walk back, use well-lit streets and remember that the town is busy with day visitors, residents and hotel guests, not just people out partying. For a practical Windsor evening, base yourself near the centre, reserve dinner at the weekend and treat the nightlife as a pub and bar crawl with an early finish option, rather than expecting a large nightclub circuit.

Coulture in Windsor

Windsor culture is shaped first by the royal court, but it is not limited to palace gates and souvenir shops. Windsor Castle still dominates the town physically and culturally. William the Conqueror began the castle in the 11th century, and later monarchs turned it into a working royal residence rather than a simple medieval fortress. Inside, the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House explain how monarchy, religion, art and ceremony have developed over centuries. St George’s Chapel is also associated with the Order of the Garter and several royal burials. Allow plenty of time for security and indoor visits, especially during weekends and school holidays. Access to rooms can change because the castle remains in use, so check the official visitor information before travelling rather than trusting an old blog post. The Changing the Guard ceremony is worth seeing if you enjoy formal spectacle, but it is not a private performance arranged for your camera. Dates and timings vary, weather can interfere, and the central streets become crowded well before the soldiers appear. Arrive early, or visit the castle at a quieter time and treat the ceremony as an optional extra.

Beyond the castle, Windsor has a town-centre culture that is easier to experience on foot. Walk down Castle Hill, along Thames Street and through the streets around Peascod Street to see a mixture of old inns, cafés, chain shops and independent businesses. The royal setting raises expectations, and some restaurants charge accordingly, so compare menus before sitting down. You can eat traditional British food such as fish and chips, a Sunday roast or a steak-and-ale pie, but Windsor is not stuck in one menu. Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian and other international restaurants reflect the wider population of the area. For a more local-feeling break, look beyond the immediate castle frontage and busy shopping streets. Pubs can be good places to try local ales and ordinary British dishes, though quality varies. A café stop near the castle is convenient, not necessarily good value. That distinction matters. Windsor’s cultural appeal is strongest when you combine the grand royal sights with normal town life, including commuters, school pupils, market shoppers and residents who are clearly not spending their morning looking for a Tudor selfie backdrop.

Cross the bridge into Eton, which gives the visit a different tone without requiring another ticket. Eton High Street has historic buildings, small shops, pubs and views back towards Windsor Castle. Eton College is a major part of the area’s identity, but it is a working school, not a free museum. Public access to its grounds and buildings is limited and guided visits depend on its schedule, so do not assume you can simply wander in. The riverside path is a pleasant way to slow down after the castle, and Windsor’s stretches of the River Thames support rowing, walking and leisure rather than heavy industrial activity. Windsor Great Park offers another side of local heritage. The Long Walk gives you the familiar view towards the castle, while the wider park has woodland, open grassland and formal landscapes. Wear sensible shoes and allow more time than the map suggests. The park is large, and British weather has a habit of turning a short stroll into a damp lesson in planning. Early morning is usually calmer than the middle of the day, particularly in warmer months.

For theatre, local history and indoor culture, check what is running at Theatre Royal Windsor and visit the town’s museum facilities when open. The theatre presents touring productions, comedy and other performances, while the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum covers local history and is useful when rain makes the castle grounds less appealing. Availability, exhibitions and access arrangements can change, so confirm details before making a special trip. Windsor is easy to reach by public transport: trains arrive at Windsor & Eton Central from Slough and at Windsor & Eton Riverside from London Waterloo, with both stations within walking distance of the castle. That makes a car more trouble than it is worth on busy days, when parking fills and traffic slows around the centre. Go on a weekday outside school holidays if you want a calmer cultural visit. Start with the castle, take lunch away from the most obvious tourist restaurants, cross to Eton, then use the river or Great Park for a change of pace. You will see more of Windsor that way, and spend less time standing behind someone who has stopped in a narrow street to photograph the same shop sign.

History in Windsor

Windsor’s history begins before the famous castle. The area around the Thames was useful for travel, farming and royal hunting, while Old Windsor, a few miles south, served as an Anglo-Saxon royal residence. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror chose the Windsor ridge for a new fortress that could control the river route to London and protect the western approach to the capital. The first castle was a timber motte-and-bailey structure, probably built in the 1070s. Henry II later replaced much of it with stone, including the central Round Tower. That tower has changed over the centuries, but it still gives Windsor Castle its instantly recognisable shape. The settlement beside the fortress developed into a medieval market town, and its position on the Thames helped it grow beyond being a military outpost. You can still read this geography today: the castle dominates the higher ground, while the older town streets fall towards the river.

The castle became more than a defensive building as royal power settled into Windsor. Edward III was born at Windsor Castle in 1312, and in 1348 he founded the Order of the Garter, England’s senior order of chivalry. The annual Garter ceremony still takes place at St George’s Chapel, although access for visitors can be restricted on ceremonial days. St George’s Chapel was begun by Edward IV in 1475 and completed under Henry VIII. It is one of the finest examples of late medieval Gothic architecture in England, with detailed stonework, colourful glass and the burial places of several monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I, George III, George V and Elizabeth II. Henry VIII married Jane Seymour at Windsor in 1536, and the castle later became an important royal residence during the Tudor, Stuart and Georgian periods. The town across the river, Eton, gained its own historic importance after Henry VI founded Eton College in 1440. You can walk between Windsor and Eton across Windsor Bridge, but do not expect a quiet riverside stroll on a busy summer afternoon. Coaches, school visitors and castle crowds are part of the scenery.

Royal life changed Windsor most visibly in the nineteenth century. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert used Windsor Castle as a principal home, and the town became closely linked with the modern British monarchy. The railway arrived in 1849, making the journey from London much easier and helping Windsor develop as a day-trip destination. That remains the practical way to visit. Trains from London Waterloo run to Windsor & Eton Riverside, while services from Paddington usually require a change at Slough and arrive at Windsor & Eton Central. Both stations are near the castle, so a car is more trouble than it is worth on a normal sightseeing day. Windsor Great Park, whose origins lie in the medieval royal hunting forest, also expanded in importance as a landscape for royal recreation. The Long Walk, running south from the castle towards the Copper Horse statue, is free and gives you the clearest view of the castle exterior. Go early if you want photographs without a procession of selfie sticks. The park is large, and sensible shoes beat fashionable footwear here. History is less forgiving of blisters than guidebooks suggest.

Modern Windsor is still shaped by royal ceremony, but it is not frozen in the past. A major fire damaged Windsor Castle in November 1992, destroying parts of the State Apartments and causing extensive smoke and water damage. The restoration took several years and used traditional craftsmanship alongside modern conservation methods. The castle reopened fully in 1997, and the work is now part of its story. When you visit, allow several hours for the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and the grounds, and check the official visiting arrangements before travelling because royal events can alter access. Tickets are not cheap, so the castle is worth the money mainly if you care about royal history, architecture or medieval England. If your budget is tight, you can still get a strong sense of Windsor by walking around Castle Hill, viewing the exterior, crossing Windsor Bridge and exploring the Long Walk. The town centre can feel commercial and crowded, especially at weekends, but streets such as Church Street and the riverside provide better character than the chain shops near the station. Windsor’s appeal is not mysterious. It is a working royal site, a medieval fortress, a railway day trip and a busy tourist town, all occupying the same compact patch of Berkshire.