Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and is open to visitors year-round. Check access before you arrive. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the castle has been home to 40 monarchs since then. St George’s Chapel offers another glimpse into history: it is the burial place of 11 monarchs and is considered one of England’s finest examples of Gothic architecture.
History and collections
In Windsor, the Guildhall Museum tells the story of the town and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Interactive exhibits and an audio trail featuring stories from local residents offer different perspectives on the subject. The collection also includes some surprising highlights: a 100,000-year-old mammoth tusk and a model of a Hawker Hurricane.
The Maidenhead Heritage Centre is an accredited museum dedicated to the history of Maidenhead and the Air Transport Auxiliary. During the Second World War, the latter’s wartime headquarters were at White Waltham Airfield. Artefacts relating to Maidenhead and the surrounding area span the period from AD 100 to the present day. The permanent exhibition “Grandma Flew Spitfires” includes a Spitfire simulator.
In Cookham, the Stanley Spencer Gallery focuses on the painter’s life and art. Its guided walks also explore the village that inspired his idea of a “Village in Heaven”. Step-free access and a lift lead to the exhibition space on the gallery level. In Eton, the museums and gallery of Eton College are open to the public free of charge on Sundays from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Visiting arrangements may change on public holidays and during exhibition changeovers, so check current opening times in advance.
Gardens, parkland and trails
The landscape reveals itself on different scales. Savill Garden covers 35 acres, with gardens, woodland and seasonal displays. The Valley Gardens span 250 acres of rolling valleys with azaleas, magnolias and exotic blooms. Comparing the areas makes the difference clear: garden spaces covering 35 acres contrast with an expansive landscape of 250 acres.
Around 500 red deer live in the Deer Park at Windsor Great Park; their numbers may change over time. The park also contains ancient oaks, some of which are up to 1,000 years old. The Long Walk is a five-kilometre avenue lined with lawns and a double avenue of horse chestnut and plane trees. Charles II originally laid it out in 1685 as an avenue of oaks and elms, and used it for walks and deer hunting in the Great Park. Today, Windsor Great Park is designated a Grade I park and garden and is listed for its special historic interest.
The park’s practical arrangements are useful to know when planning a visit: it is open year-round from 7 am until dusk. Admission to the public areas is free, except for Savill Garden; parking charges apply. Opening times, access and fees may change, so check the current arrangements before you travel.
Dorney Lake also combines open countryside with specific uses. The 400-acre site includes an arboretum, meadows and a nature reserve, and serves as a rowing course, nature reserve and event venue. The rowing course is 2,200 metres long. There is also a flat, paved three-mile circular path suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The site is open seasonally, so take this into account when planning your visit.
The Eton Walkway offers a different way to engage with a place: this two-mile circular route connects 18 points of interest. It is quite different from the Long Walk, whose character is defined by its long avenue, lawns and rows of trees.
Events and special experiences
The Royal Windsor Horse Show has been held every year since 1943. International competitions include show jumping, dressage, driving and eventing. If you want to plan your visit around the event, check the dates for the year in question. Dorney Lake offers another way to enjoy nature and exercise with its rowing course and circular path; remember that the site is open seasonally.
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort offers more than 55 rides and attractions; the selection may change. The resort is two miles from Windsor town centre. A paid shuttle bus runs from stops near both Windsor railway stations. As transport services and fares may change, check the details before travelling.
Royal Windsor Racecourse is located on its own island and covers 165 acres of countryside in Berkshire. Around race days, it can be reached by riverboat from Windsor town centre; the boat docks at the racecourse’s private landing stage. Check whether the service is running on your planned date. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead also has more than 23 wildlife sites, including designated Local Nature Reserves; all are free and open to the public. Access and conditions may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Windsor, Cookham, Datchet, Old Windsor, Maidenhead, Hurley, Sunninghill, Sunningdale, Wraysbury, Ascot.
For the main travel overview: South East England.
