The Windsor Area Guide

Getting to Windsor

By train

Windsor has two stations, both dead central. Windsor & Eton Central connects to London Paddington via a change at Slough (around 30–35 minutes all in); Windsor & Eton Riverside runs direct to London Waterloo in just under an hour. If you're staying with us, both stations are a short walk from most central properties — genuinely a car-free town for visitors.

By car

Windsor sits just off Junction 6 of the M4, about 25 miles west of central London. Town-centre parking uses the main car parks (Victoria Street, King Edward VII and Alexandra Gardens); many of our residential-area properties come with their own allocated or on-street parking, which is worth weighting heavily if you're driving — check the parking filter when you search properties.

From Heathrow

Fifteen minutes by taxi (roughly £25–£35), or the Elizabeth line to Slough plus a five-minute rail hop. This proximity is why Windsor works so well for corporate stays and layover-heavy schedules — you're near the airport without having to look at it.

The big five things to do

1. Windsor Castle — the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Book tickets online, go at opening time, and don't skip St George's Chapel.
2. The Long Walk & Windsor Great Park — the dead-straight avenue from the Castle to the Copper Horse statue, then 4,800 acres of deer park beyond. Free, and the best view in Berkshire from the top.
3. Eton — cross the pedestrian bridge for the antique shops, the College's architecture and the classic across-the-Thames view back at the Castle.
4. The river — boat trips run from the promenade (roughly 40 minutes to two hours), or hire a self-drive boat and captain yourself.
5. Legoland Windsor — ten minutes' drive or a shuttle bus from the town centre. Staying in town and day-tripping in is calmer and better value than staying on-site.

Eating and drinking

The town centre packs in everything from Thai and French to old coaching-inn Sunday roasts, with the highest concentration around Peascod Street and the Castle end of the High Street; Eton High Street adds a string of independents on the quieter side of the river. Our full, regularly updated restaurant guide lives on our visitor site — royal-windsor.com — and every guest gets local recommendations from the office with their arrival details, which is worth more than any listicle.

The Windsor calendar (and what it does to prices)

• May — Royal Windsor Horse Show in the Castle grounds. Book well ahead.
• Mid-June — Royal Ascot, six miles away. The single busiest week of the year for accommodation; plan months out or steer clear.
• June — Windsor Triathlon weekend fills the town early.
• July–August — school holidays and Legoland high season.
• November–December — Christmas lights and the festive market by the Castle walls; weekends book up fast.
• January–February — the quiet, good-value months. Locals' favourite time for the off-peak holiday stay.

Three walks locals actually take

• The Long Walk to the Copper Horse (about an hour return) — the essential one.
• Riverside to Romney Lock and back through Home Park (45 minutes) — swans, boats and the back of the Castle.
• Eton Brocas loop (30 minutes) — over Windsor Bridge, along the meadow with the postcard Castle view, back via Eton High Street. Best at golden hour.