What to See and Do in and around Windsor

Here is a list of almost everything that you can do in and around Windsor. If there is anything missed out, its probably so bad its not worth visiting! And if it is worth visiting, please let us know.

1. In Windsor (Times in brackets are approximate times from Langton House)

Windsor Castle (8 minutes walk) www.royalresidences.com
Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of The Queen and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the Castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines. No other royal residence has played such an important role in the nation's history.
From September until March the semi-state rooms are also open to the public. These were created by George IV in the 1820s as part of a new series of Royal Apartments for his personal occupation. They continue in use by The Queen for official entertaining. Damaged in the 1992 fire, they have been restored to their original appearance and contain furniture and works of art chosen by George IV. The semi-state rooms include The Green Drawing Room, The Crimson Drawing Room, The State Dining Room and The Octagon Dining Room.
When the Queen is in residence the Royal Standard flies from the Round Tower. At all other times you will see the Union Flag.

Windsor Castle is open daily from 9:45am to 5:15pm with last admission at 4pm. (Times for summer months, winter times may vary slightly)
Rates for 2006
Monday-Sunday ; Adult. £14.20, Seniors £12.70, Child £8.00, Family £36.50
The purchase of tickets allows you to register on your first visit for a year's unlimited admission.
Recorded Info. Tel: 01753 831118;
Castle Info. Tel: 01753 868286.

Private Tours (e.g. Kitchen Tours and Private Evening Tours) are available to pre-booked groups of 15 people or more. These are available by appointment with the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace. NB Kitchen Tours available from September 2004 to March 2005.
More information at www.royalcollection.org.uk

Recommended Visit Time of at least 2 hours, usually 3 or 4 hours.

The Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard takes place in Windsor Castle at 11am every day (except Sundays) during summer, although it is only during alternate days during the winter, and includes a colourful marching band in full regimental regalia along the High Street and Castle Hill. The new Guard march to the Castle before 11am; the old Guard return at 11:30am. The Guards can all be seen from outside the castle, but to actually see the Guard changing you must be in the Castle. Please see local information as to which days this wonderful pageant occurs.

Eton College (15 minutes walk) www.etoncollege.com
The world famous all boys school, recently educating the future king of England amongst other European nobility.
Eton College was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI to provide free education for 70 poor scholars who would then go on to further their education at King’s College, Cambridge. Life in the early days was harsh, rats ran free and the boys had to wash outside using only cold water. From these 70 scholars, the school has expanded to about 1,280 boys aged from 13 to 18 who are admitted by competitive examination, and has become one of the most exclusive schools in the world.
Eton has educated 18 former British Prime Ministers including the Duke of Wellington, Walpole, Pitt the Elder, MacMillan and Douglas-Holme. The School Dress still consists of a black tailcoat and waistcoat, and pin-striped trousers which dates from the 1850s. Tours of the College are a fascinating experience, which includes the Cloisters, the Chapel, the oldest classroom in the College and the Museum of Eton Life.

Frogmore House www.royalcollection.org.uk
Set amidst the extensive Home Park of Windsor Castle, Frogmore House is surrounded by fine and picturesque gardens. The house dates from the 1680s and was purchased for Queen Charlotte in 1792. Here the queen was able to indulge her love of botany and laid out the garden with many rare and unusual plants.
At one time the house belonged to Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent. After her death, her son-in-law, Prince Albert, commissioned the building of an elegant mausoleum to hold her remains.
Queen Victoria was particularly fond of Frogmore's peaceful ambience and it became her favourite retreat. Victoria and Albert's love of Frogmore led them to break with tradition and build a much larger and grander mausoleum for themselves.

Thames river cruise (15 minutes walk) www.boat-trips.co.uk
The opportunity to see Windsor from the most ideal viewpoint, giving the passengers the famous and dramatic aspect of the castle. Trips from Windsor Promenade, either up or down river. Trips last from 35 minutes to 2 hours.
Tel: 01753 851900

City Sightseeing www.citysightseeing.co.uk
Open top site seeing tour of Windsor & Eton. Professionally guided tour, 1 hour circular route. Tourist tacky but still the best way for an overview of the town. Operating daily from March - December. Tel: 0871 666 0000

Guided Walks of Windsor & Eton www.windsorwalks.co.uk and www.windsor-tours.co.uk
Blue Badge Guides
You can enjoy a lighthearted Sunday stroll and saunter led by a qualified Blue Badge Guide. You will discover hidden haunts, nooks and crannies; places you never knew existed. Travel back in time, relive the past and experience the present whilst exploring the two famous towns of Windsor and Eton.
Adults £5, Advantage Card Holders £4.50, under 15s free.

Horse Drawn Carriage
Half hour and one hour trips by horse drawn carriage on the Long Walk and around Windsor. Tel: 01784 435983. Can be found most days outside the Castle.

Legoland (5 minutes drive or by shuttle bus) www.legoland.co.uk
The world famous leisure park, incorporating many educationally themed attractions, the entertainment is certainly hands-on. Parents and children can experience the thrills of the Dragon Roller Coaster, Pirate Falls and the Adventurers Wave Surfer, plus children can take to the road to earn their very own LEGOLAND Driving Licence. See our very own Langton Houses' Parents Survival Guide to Legoland.

Windsor Guildhall
The Windsor Guildhall is a Grade I listed building and is over 300 years old. It was designed by Sir Thomas Fitz and after his death completed by the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, whose father was Dean of Windsor. The foundation stone was laid on 5th September 1687 and the building was completed on 17th October 1689. On close inspection you will notice that the central columns do not touch the ceiling and tradition has it that the councilor's of the time, against Wren's wishes, insisted on adding the columns in the interest of safety. Wren, not to be outdone, and to prove that his original plans were safe, left the columns an inch short of the ceiling. Recent venue in 2005 for the weddings of Prince Charles and Camilla as well as Elton John to David Furnish.

Sports Centre (10 minutes walk)
Gym, wave and exercise pools, water slides, sun beds, aerobics, housed in a modern and airy building, built on the site of the world famous Ricky Tick R & B Club, burnt down in the 1960's. One of the starting points for Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones amongst many others and regulars included Rod Stewart, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck.

Windsor Theatre (10 minutes walk) www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Opposite the ancient walls of the castle, this recently renovated Victorian Theatre presents many classic and contemporary plays and a wonderful Panto every Christmas.

Windsor Arts Centre (4 minutes walk) www.windsorartscentre.org
Housed in the old Victorian fire station, this arts centre is famous for its alternative acts and vegetarian menu. This hive of cultural activity offers a year round program of events in all artistic areas and to all ages. Activities include music, dance, drama, comedy, films and exhibitions. There are also a variety of workshops and classes for those interested in exploring their creative potential or developing their artistic talents.

Household Cavalry museum - Combermere Barracks (8 minutes walk)
A working barracks housing the Blues and Royals Cavalry Regiment. The small museum houses a history of the regiment and would be of interest to anyone interested in military history. Currently closed and could be relocating to London in the future.

Bowls green (5 minutes walk)
Hidden in the shadow of the castle, this quintessential symbol of Englishness nestles in a quiet area close to the river Thames but still in the heart of the town.

Royal Windsor Racecourse (15 minutes walk) www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk
Summer only, Monday evenings mainly. A beautiful racecourse, one of the only figure of eight courses left in England, is next to the river Thames and undoubtedly one of the most picturesque parts of Windsor. Famous for a short trip out of London and frequented by many local stars. Tel: 01753 498400

Windsor Royal Station www.windsorroyalshopping.co.uk
Set amidst the grandeur of the refurbished Victorian railway station, Windsor Royal Station offers more than 40 exciting shops ranging from quality fashion to quality homeware and gifts. With continental style cafes and restaurants it is the perfect place to sip a cappuccino, soak up the atmosphere and watch the world go by.

Windsor Roller Rink, Cycle Hire and Skate Park(5 minutes walk) www.extrememotion.com
Alexandra Gardens, Alma Road, Windsor. Tel 01753 830220. Open 7 days a week. 10am - 10pm (seasonal)
Now with mini-golf. Good place to sit and have a drink while watching the children tiring themselves out!

Local Night Clubs :- Liquid, Vanilla

Local Information
Available from Windsor Information.
Website: www.windsor-information.co.uk

National Tourist Information
British Tourist Authority Web Site www.visitbritain.com

2. Around Windsor

Windsor Great Park (5 minutes walk)
The Great Park extends from Windsor towards Ascot, it is well famed for it beautiful landscapes and rolling hills. The main view of the Castle is from the Long Walk, a 3 mile tree lined roadway, extending from the castle into the park, ending in the statue of the Copper Horse.
Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, parts of which are open to the public. Its present area was determined in the 1360s and was popular with Saxon kings as a hunting forest. The park is shrouded in mystery and legend and for over 1,000 years the story of Herne the Hunter has been told. His ghost still appears wearing the antlers of a stag, riding a phantom black stallion at the head of a pack of black hounds. He appears to warn of times of trouble and gallops through Windsor Great Park only to disappear into thin air.
The park today is the perfect place for picnics, walking, cycling and horse riding.

Polo www.guardspoloclub.com
The Guards Polo Club was founded in 1955 with HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as President. The Club is now the largest polo club in Europe, in terms of membership and number of grounds.
Polo matches are played on most weekends through the summer at Smith's Lawn in Windsor Great Park. The Cartier International match at the end of July is the highlight of the season.

Savill Gardens & Valley Gardens (15 minutes drive) www.savillgarden.co.uk
Within Windsor Great Park, Savill Garden covers some 35 acres and was formalised in 1932 by Sir Eric Savill who, as Deputy Ranger, was responsible for its creation. Today the garden is well established and is considered to be the finest of its type in the northern temperate region of the world. There are wonderful displays of colour all year round with spectacular spring plants; the formal rose garden and herbaceous borders in the summer; the fiery colours of autumn and the misty vistas of winter.
There is also a unique temperate house which shelters frost tender plants from the rigours of winter and is a fragrant delight in spring. There is an excellent restaurant as well as a well stocked gift and plant centre.
Tel: 01753 860222

Runnymede (10 minutes drive)
Just 3 miles south-east of Windsor, on the banks of the River Thames, is the famous meadow of Runnymede. It was here in 1215 that King John sealed the Magna Carta. This charter established the principle of the constitutional monarchy and affirmed the individual’s right to justice and liberty. The American constitution is based on the Magna Carta and to commemorate this the American Bar Association erected a memorial in 1957. This can be seen on the hillside overlooking the water meadows.
Nearby on an acre of ground given to the USA by Her Majesty The Queen is a memorial erected in 1965 to the memory of the assassinated President John F. Kennedy. High on the hill is a memorial erected as a tribute to "the men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives in the Second World War and who have no known grave". There are 20,455 names recorded on the stone panels and courtyard. This most peaceful place offers magnificent views across the Thames Valley.

Dorney Court (15 minutes drive) www.dorneycourt.co.uk
Dorney Court is a fascinating experience. Built in 1440 and lived in by the present family for over 450 years, the rooms are full of history with 15th and 16th century oak and beautiful 17th century lacquer furniture. The adjacent 13th century church of St James, with Norman front and Tudor tower, can also be visited.
Dorney is the ancient word for “island of bees” and Dorney is famous for its honey which is still produced today. The very first pineapple to be raised in England was grown at Dorney Court and presented to Charles II in 1661. A Bressingham plant in the walled garden serves cream teas and light lunches served throughout the year. Pick your own fruit and vegetables are available from June to September. Open in May Sundays only, August all week except Saturday, 1.30pm to 5pm only.

Ascot racecourse (15 minutes drive) www.ascot.co.uk
One of England's major racecourses and the venue for Royal Ascot Week races held during June every year. The Queen and many royals will attend the races during the Royal raceweek. This is a must see event, combining horse racing and perhaps, even more importantly, a high society social event.

Thorpe Park (20 minutes drive) www.thorpepark.co.uk
Stains Road, Chertsey, Surrey. Theme park with many rides for all ages (although it is mainly targeted at the teenage/adult market) , includes a children's farm.

Wentworth golf course (20 minutes drive)
The world famous golf course, well worth a quick drive around to see the amazing location and surrounding houses, most costing millions of pounds.

Sunningdale golf course (20 minutes drive)
Another world class golf course.

Cliveden House (20 minutes drive) www.nationaltrust.org.uk
The luxury hotel and National Trust estate, Cliveden House, formerly the family home of the Astors and the scene of the infamous Profumo affair. Cliveden House overlooks the Thames in Berkshire and is notorious for the Profumo scandal in the 1960s in which the then defence minister, John Profumo, used the hotel to meet Christine Keeler, who was also having a relationship with a Soviet spy. The property has been owned by the National Trust since 1942. A night's stay at Cliveden House costs up to £750. An extremely lovely place to visit and wander around. Tel 01628 668561. Taplow, Berkshire.

Odds Farm Park (25 minutes drive) www.oddsfarm.co.uk
Voted "Best family attraction in Buckinghamshire" for two years running by the Good Guide to Great Britain. A visit to Odds Farm Park provides an opportunity to meet many rare and interesting animals - and have a great day out at any time of the year. This park was created particularly with children in mind and provides lots of opportunities for them to observe the animals closely in an enjoyable atmosphere. As one of 20 approved rare breeds centres in the country, we combine this with the breeding and conservation of many of Britain's rarest farm animals.
Phone or fax 01628 520188 Open seven days a week. Odds Farm Park, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 OLX

Bekonscot Model Village (30 minutes drive) www.bekonscot.org.uk
Wonderful model village, well worth a visit for a few hours. Includes mini train ride around the village.
Open Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm from February to October.
Telephone 01494 672919

The Hell-Fire Caves (25 minutes drive) www.visitbuckinghamshire.org
West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.Tel: (01494) 533739 Chalk caves excavated in 1750’s, they extend to over half a mile underground. A visit is ideal for picnics, walking and roaming.