Windsor: Royal towers above the Thames, a town shaped by a thousand years of monarchy

Windsor is among the most instantly recognisable towns in England, its skyline commanded by the great Round Tower of Windsor Castle rising above a bend in the Thames. For centuries the preferred country residence of the British royal family, the town has grown in its shadow — and in its reflected grandeur — into one of the most visited destinations in the Home Counties.

Yet Windsor is far more than a royal backdrop. Its Georgian and Victorian high streets retain enormous charm; the Long Walk stretches in a magnificent straight line through Windsor Great Park all the way to the Copper Horse statue; and the River Thames provides a constant, glittering presence that invites leisurely walks, boat trips and quiet contemplation. Eton, separated only by the bridge at the river's edge, adds a further layer of historical and architectural richness.

Heritage & History

Windsor Castle has been a royal residence since William the Conqueror first raised a fortification here in the eleventh century, making it the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. St George's Chapel, within the castle precincts, is a supreme example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and the resting place of numerous English monarchs, including Henry VIII and King George VI. Eton College, founded by Henry VI in 1440, sits just across the river and is one of England's most celebrated independent schools.

What to See & Do

• Windsor Castle — The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, a working royal palace with State Apartments open to visitors when the sovereign is not in residence.
• St George's Chapel — A masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture within the castle grounds, the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter.
• Windsor Great Park — Some 4,800 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens stretching south from the castle, including the Long Walk and the Valley Gardens.
• The Long Walk — The three-mile tree-lined avenue leading from the castle to the Copper Horse equestrian statue atop Snow Hill — one of England's great ceremonial vistas.
• Eton College and High Street — The famous school and its adjacent high street, reached on foot across the bridge over the Thames, offer architecture and atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

Food & Drink

Windsor's dining scene befits a royal town: a cluster of well-regarded restaurants and gastropubs lines the cobbled streets near the castle, with riverside establishments offering fine views alongside their menus. The town is particularly well served for afternoon tea, a fitting indulgence after a morning spent in the castle and Great Park.

Parks & Outdoors

Windsor Great Park is one of the finest royal landscapes in Britain, encompassing ancient oak woodland, formal gardens at Savill Garden, and the serene Virginia Water lake. The Thames Path runs through the town and along the river bank at Eton Meadows, offering effortless walking with views of the castle reflected in the water.

Events & Culture

Windsor's cultural calendar is punctuated by royal pageantry: the Changing of the Guard takes place regularly at the castle, and the annual Order of the Garter service at St George's Chapel draws ceremonial processions through the town. The Windsor Festival brings classical music, literature and arts events to the castle and town each autumn.

Practical Tips

Windsor Castle's opening times and visitor access vary depending on royal engagements, so checking the official Royal Collection Trust website before your visit is strongly advisable. The town itself is compact and best explored on foot; Knightsbridge Chauffeurs can drop you at the castle gates and collect from any agreed point in the town.

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