🇬🇧United Kingdom · Places to discover
What to see in Windsor?
44 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Landmarks & heritage
9 places
1Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
Guildhall Windsor
A 17th-century Baroque building designed by Sir Christopher Wren, celebrated for its central columns that do not touch the ceiling—a defiant gesture to sceptical town councillors. Charles III and Camilla were married here in a civil ceremony in 2005.
2Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
The Crooked House of Windsor
A 17th-century half-timbered house with a noticeably slanting façade, now housing a tea shop. One of Windsor's most photographed buildings, often overlooked by coach tours.
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Landmark
Landmark
Runnymede Meadows
Historic meadow where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215—one of the founding places of Western democracy, 5km from Windsor. Home to the American Bar Association memorial and Kennedy memorial, set within an often-deserted pastoral landscape.
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Landmark
Landmark
Dorney Court
Tudor manor house dating from 1440, still inhabited by the same family for over 400 years, 3km from Windsor. Among England's finest examples of Tudor architecture, complete with period gardens and banqueting hall. Open to the public on select days.
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Landmark
Landmark
Eton College
One of the world's most prestigious independent schools, founded in 1440 by Henry VI, its medieval buildings accessible via guided tours. A stroll through the courtyard and along Eton High Street is well worth your time.
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Landmark
Landmark
St George's Chapel
A masterpiece of English Perpendicular Gothic architecture within the castle grounds and the burial place of ten kings and queens. The interior, adorned with the banners of the Knights of the Garter, is breathtaking.
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Landmark
Landmark
Dorney Court
A Tudor manor house from 1440, among England's best-preserved, occupied by the same family for 450 years. The historic kitchen garden and adjoining Norman chapel make for an authentic visit away from commercial circuits.
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Landmark
Landmark
Frogmore House and Gardens
An 18th-century private royal residence set within romantic gardens, the final resting place of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Open only a few days a year, making it a rare and treasured visit.
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Landmark
Landmark
Eton College
One of the world's most prestigious public schools, founded in 1440 by Henry VI and alma mater to 20 British Prime Ministers. The Gothic chapel and the cobbled streets of Eton High Street are open to visitors.
Religious sites
3 places
10Wikipedia · CC BY-SAReligious site
Windsor Parish Church (St John the Baptist)
19th-century parish church at the heart of Windsor, housing a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper commissioned by George III. Serene and often quiet, it offers a spiritual counterpoint to the nearby castle.
11Wikipedia · CC BY-SAReligious site
Eton College Chapel
Perpendicular Gothic chapel from the 15th century with partially preserved medieval frescoes and modern stained glass by John Piper. Accessible during the college's guided tours, often overlooked by standard itineraries.
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Religious site
Religious site
St George's Chapel
Perpendicular Gothic jewel at the heart of the castle, burial place of ten English kings including Henry VIII and Prince Philip. The carved wooden stalls of the Knights of the Garter are of exceptional richness.
Castles & fortresses
2 places
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Castle
Castle
Windsor Castle
The world's oldest inhabited royal residence, perched on a hill overlooking the Thames. Essential viewing, but arrive early to avoid crowds and catch the Changing of the Guard.
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Castle
Castle
Windsor Castle
The world's oldest inhabited royal residence, founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. Essential for the Changing of the Guard and St George's Chapel, a true Gothic masterpiece.
Nature
3 places
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Nature
Nature
Thames Path – Windsor to Bray
A section of the national footpath following the Thames towards the village of Bray, passing through meadows and Victorian locks. Locals favour this route on Sunday mornings en route to Bray's pubs.
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Nature
Nature
Thames Path between Windsor and Maidenhead
Section of the national footpath hugging the Thames towards Bray, offering views of Victorian houses and boathouses. Quiet on weekdays, it shows a side of Windsor that tourists rarely see.
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Nature
Nature
The Long Walk
A 4.8 km royal avenue lined with elm trees, stretching from the castle gates to the equestrian statue of the Copper King on Snow Hill. This grand perspective was once used for royal processions and is often nearly deserted in the early morning.
Parks & gardens
9 places
18Wikipedia · CC BY-SAPark
Windsor Great Park
A royal estate spanning 2,000 hectares with forests, lakes and gardens, open to the public for centuries. Locals jog, picnic and happily get lost here—an expanse of green just minutes from the town centre.
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Park
Park
Home Park (Windsor)
The private park adjacent to the Castle, partially open to the public depending on season. Lesser known than Windsor Great Park, it borders the Thames and offers peaceful walks with direct views of the Castle's ramparts.
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Park
Park
Savill Garden
A 35-hectare garden within Windsor Great Park, renowned for its roses, flowering woodland and award-winning visitor pavilion. Each season unveils a different spectacle.
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Park
Park
Frogmore House and Gardens
A Georgian royal residence nestled in the Home Park, set within a romantic garden where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are buried. Open only a handful of days per year—check dates in advance.
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Park
Park
Valley Gardens
A hidden botanical garden within Windsor Great Park, explosive with rhododendrons and azaleas in spring. Less celebrated than Virginia Water, it rewards those who venture off the beaten path.
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Park
Park
Valley Gardens Windsor Great Park
A 400-acre garden specialising in heather plants, azaleas and magnolias, spectacular in spring. Less visited than the Savill Garden but free to enter, favoured by local amateur botanists.
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Park
Park
Windsor Great Park Totem Pole
A 30-metre totem pole gifted by the Canadian government in 1958 for British Columbia's centenary, carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artists. An unexpected curiosity encountered along a trail in the royal park.
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Park
Park
Savill Garden
An ornamental 35-acre garden at the heart of Windsor Great Park, renowned for its rhododendrons in May and its rose collections. Less well-known than Kew Gardens but of comparable botanical quality.
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Park
Park
Windsor Great Park
A vast royal estate spanning 2,000 hectares, blending ancient forests, meadows and lakes. Free-roaming deer throughout the park and millennia-old oak trees lining the Kings' Avenue make this an extraordinary natural space.
Viewpoints
5 places
27Wikipedia · CC BY-SAViewpoint
Oakley Court Hotel riverside walk
The towpath alongside Oakley Court—a Victorian neo-Gothic mansion famed for Hammer Horror films—offers one of the finest Thames-side walks in the region. Public access via the Thames Path.
28Wikipedia · CC BY-SAViewpoint
Windsor Bridge (Eton Bridge)
A cast iron pedestrian bridge built in 1823 connecting Windsor to Eton, offering the most photographed view of the castle from the Thames. Cross paths with Eton College rowers at dawn for a quintessentially English moment.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Copper Horse Statue
Monumental equestrian statue of George III atop Snow Hill, the highest point in Windsor Great Park. The view towards the Castle down the Long Walk from here ranks amongst England's most celebrated vistas.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Copper Horse Statue (Snow Hill)
Equestrian statue of George III at the summit of Snow Hill, the highest point of Windsor Great Park, with sweeping views of the castle on the horizon. The sunset panorama is among the finest in Berkshire.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
The Brocas Meadow
Floodplain meadow on the Eton riverside facing Windsor Castle, offering the most authentic and least crowded view of the castle. A favourite picnic spot for locals on Sundays, with Thames swans in the foreground.
Activities
9 places
32Wikipedia · CC BY-SAActivity
Windsor Racecourse
Racecourse sited on the Thames banks, amongst England's oldest, hosting popular midweek evening fixtures. The relaxed atmosphere, far removed from grand racing establishments, is genuinely pleasurable.
33Wikipedia · CC BY-SAActivity
Dorney Lake
Artificial lake spanning 2.2km built for the 2012 London Olympics (rowing and canoe-kayak events). Now open to the public for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and running—Olympic infrastructure accessible to all.
34Wikipedia · CC BY-SAActivity
Windsor Racecourse
Royal racecourse on the Thames bank active since 1866, hosting flat racing on summer evenings in a relaxed, thoroughly local atmosphere. Far removed from Ascot's glamour, entry is affordable and the mood festive.
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Activity
Activity
Windsor Leisure Centre & Alma Road Pool
Municipal swimming pool frequented by Windsor residents of all ages, worlds away from the town's royal image. A genuine glimpse of everyday life in an extraordinary place.
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Activity
Activity
Windsor Great Park Cycling
The royal park features well-marked cycle paths traversing woodland and meadows, away from traffic. Bike hire is available near the Savill Garden entrance.
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Activity
Activity
Legoland Windsor Resort
Iconic themed park for families with children, 3 km from the town centre. Lesser-known tip: arrive at opening to tackle headline attractions without queuing.
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Activity
Activity
Windsor & Eton Brewery
Craft microbrewery founded in 2010 beneath the Victorian arches of Windsor station, producing award-winning ales such as Knight of the Garter. Guided tours and tap room open weekends.
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Activity
Activity
French Brothers Boat Trips
Family-run company offering Thames cruises from Windsor to Runnymede or Maidenhead for over 130 years. The best way to see the castle from the water without paying for a private boat hire.
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Activity
Activity
Legoland Windsor Resort
Lego-themed park spanning 150 acres designed for children aged 2 to 12, featuring miniature replicas of world capitals built from bricks. One of the best family days out in Berkshire; book online to avoid queues.
More to discover
4 places
41Wikipedia · CC BY-SAPlace
Clewer Village
Former village absorbed by Windsor yet retaining medieval character around St Andrew's Church. Cobbled lanes, cottages and authentic English village atmosphere ten minutes' walk from the castle—overlooked by nearly all visitors.
42Wikipedia · CC BY-SAPlace
Dedworth Road local shops
The high street of Dedworth, west of Windsor, lined with butchers, ethnic grocers and cafés frequented exclusively by locals. Real everyday Windsor, without a castle in sight.
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Place
Place
Windsor Farm Shop
Delicatessen run by the Royal Estate of Windsor, selling produce grown and reared on castle grounds. Royal jams, meats, vegetables and dairy—a cult address among locals in the know.
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Place
Place
Clarence Road & Goswell Hill neighbourhood
Victorian residential quarter sloping southwards from the Castle, characterised by red-brick terraces and well-tended gardens. Locals shop at the neighbourhood mini-market—genuine Windsor life just five minutes from the Castle.
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