Windsor

The historic town of Windsor, on the River Thames, is steeped in the history of the royal family of England. It is conveniently situated for London, Henley and Reading, and is within easy reach of the M4.

What To Do And See

Windsor is full of historic buildings and points of interest, most noticeably Windsor Castle, a medieval castle and royal residence, notable for its architecture and long association with the British royal family.

The town offers some unusual, must-visit retail therapy inside Windsor Station, right opposite Castle Hill. The grade II listed Victorian railway station was built in 1851 and in 1997 converted into a shopping paradise where high street retailers and designer labels meet quaint specialist shops. The station still has many original features, such as Jubilee arch, and also an old steam train, and there is plenty of opportunity to take a break in coffee shops and restaurants offering light lunches.

Burfurd House is where it is thought Charles II kept his favourite mistress, Nell Gwynn. There is a plaque on The Old King's Head in Church Street, which records the warrant for the execution of Charles I in 1648, and the shortest street in Britain, Queen

Shopping

Even if you are not a keen shopper: if you visit Windsor, be sure to allow a little bit of extra time for exploring the old station. This large indoor area boasts a fabulous range of small stalls and specialist shops, many offering items you don't usually find easily. There's also plenty of opportunity to sit down and drink something or grab a bite to eat, all in the unique atmosphere of majestic arches.

The high street area, on the other hand, has all the household names to choose from. Here you can browse for clothes, books, accessories etc, in lively surroundings. Not far, across the bridge in Eton, you will find more shops as well as some galleries.

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire is one of the most famous royal residencies and the largest occupied castle in the world. It dates back to the 11th Century and is an official residence of The Queen.

Interesting Tidbits

The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Today more than five hundred people live and work in Windsor, making it the largest inhabited castle in the world.

Surrounding Area

Windsor Great Park has 2,020 hectares of beautiful parkland to be explored, including a Deer Park, a varied landscape of formal avenues, gardens, woodland and open grassland which are linked to Windsor Castle by an avenue of elm trees.

Nearby at Runnymede by the river King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215 and here stands the John F. Kennedy Memorial Stone - a seven-tonne block of Portland stone set in a symbolic acre of American soil. LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, the famous Eton College, Savill Garden, one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens and Ascot Racecourse are all close by.