Windsor is best known for Windsor Castle. It’s the largest inhabited castle in the world and the longest occupied royal palace in Europe. The castle is most famous for being one of the British monarch's main residences. You can tell if they're at home if the royal coat of arms has been hoisted up the flag pole atop the Round Tower. There’s been a castle at Windsor since the 11th century when William the Conqueror decreed that a fortress be built. It has been in use by every royal monarch since Henry I.
The Long Walk
No family trip to Windsor would be complete without a visit to Legoland which lies about 1.5 miles outside of the town centre. It’s a world famous wonderland that celebrates the continued ingenuity of Lego bricks! A trip will take about a day to see everything, including the rides, the many kingdoms and exhibits. Be sure to book in advance, there are occasional discounts.
There are several great walks around Windsor. There are two very picturesque ones that originate in the centre of town. Firstly there is the Long Walk that begins at the eastern gates of the Castle (found at the end of Park Street) and ends at an equestrian statue of George III. Take plenty of water on a hot day – as it’s over three miles each way. The other walk is a circuit around the walls of Windsor Castle, which takes in the village of Datchet, and the Royal Farm’s Windsor Farm Shop (7-8 miles).
On top of all these places to spend time, we’ve not even mentioned Windsor Great Park which is 4,800 acres of woodlands, farmland, and heaths of which the Duke of Edinburgh is the head ranger. Windsor Great Park is so expansive it needs a page of its own to give you a good idea of where to go and what to expect. Look for road signs to Saville Gardens, Virginia Water, Obelisk Pond, Ranger’s Gate, and Queen Anne’s Ride too.
Windsor is well-connected to London via train. It has two stations – Riverside and Central. Riverside trains go to Waterloo, but for faster trains leave town via Central station and change at Slough for a ‘125’ that can get you into Paddington station within 15 minutes.
"There are several great walks around Windsor, not to mention its amazing castle..."
Whilst Windsor has its own popular racecourse, the world famous Ascot Racecourse (which is located at the southern end of Windsor Great Park) is better known. It’s a prestigious venue for events that attract the Royal family and the social elite. Famed for Ladies Day with its frequent race meetings, it's definitely one of the places to ‘get seen’.
Another great day out with reasonable driving distance of Windsor is Cliveden House and gardens, an expansive 375 acre National Trust Property close to Maidenhead, situated on the banks of the River Thames. The prominent hilltop position means that it’s visible across the Thames Valley for miles around. The immaculate hillside gardens and woodlands for all seasons make for the perfect outdoor day out for all ages.
Windsor is very close to Maidenhead and Staines that are both worth a trip to for a wider range of shops. Maidenhead is the more picturesque of the two with Boulter’s Lock a short drive away from the town centre for a pleasant riverside stroll and a picnic. Both Maidenhead and Staines are within easy reach from Windsor by train, bus and taxi cab.