William the Conqueror, who conquered England way back in 1066, needed a strategic defense out west of London. That's why Windsor Castle was built in the 1000s! It wasn't until King Henry II came along that they started building the stone castle we see today. Over the next 900 years, a whopping 39 kings and queens have called Windsor Castle home!
Visit Windsor CastleForget bricks and mortar, Legoland Windsor Resort is built entirely out of Lego! It used to be a safari park, but in 1996, it was bought and turned into a Lego wonderland. It has 12 different themed areas! In 2022, over 2.4 million people visited Legoland Windsor, making it one of the most visited theme parks in the UK – that's a lot of Lego fans!
Half a mile from Windsor Castle is Frogmore House, an English country house built in the 17th century. Queen Charlotte and even Queen Victoria's mother temporarily lived there. The house has remained empty since 1872, but royals still use it for special events, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding reception in 2018. In 1923, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, spent part of their honeymoon there.
Tucked inside Windsor Great Park is the Savill Garden. Thanks to Sir Eric Savill, it all started back in the 1930s and has now grown into a sprawling 14-hectare property (that's about 35 acres!). The exciting thing about this garden is that it has a collection of different attractions that are connected together. There's a New Zealand Garden, the Queen Elizabeth Temperate House, and even trees planted by the royals themselves!
Windsor Guildhall, also known as the Town Hall of Windsor, is right around the corner from the famous castle (just 100 meters away!). This place has seen its fair share of history. During World War I, it played a crucial role as Windsor’s recruiting station. During World War II, it was the place to get those all-important ration books and gas masks.
Picture a giant park, 2,020 hectares to be exact, right next to Windsor Castle. That's Windsor Great Park! For centuries, it was the royals' private hunting grounds. Now, it's open to everyone and has even become famous, thanks to movie series like Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean!
Calling all hippophiles! The Royal Windsor Horse Show has been held annually since 1943. It's basically the Olympics of horse shows in the UK – the only one to have competitions for all kinds of riding, from dressage to show jumping, and carriage driving to endurance riding. Apart from this, there are over 130 different categories for horses to compete in!
Eton isn't just known for the famous college (where Prince William and Harry studied!). This historic town is brimming with charm itself. Wandering down the High Street will make you feel like you’re going back in time. There are tons of cozy cafes, restaurants, and pubs – perfect for relaxing after exploring. And the best part? It's just a short drive away from Windsor, so you can easily visit both in one day!
Yes, you can buy tickets on-site. However, it is highly recommended that guests book their tickets well in advance to avoid long lines. Moreover, certain attractions have limited entry for each day which makes it necessary to pre-book your tickets, to assure access for the date and time of your choice.
You can watch the guards march through Windsor during the Changing of the Guard ceremony from Windsor Guildhall, explore Windsor Great Park, attend services at St. George’s Chapel, or visit the free museum in Eton, just across the river. If you have the time, stroll along the banks of the River Thames. If you can afford to spend some money, You can head to Theatre Royal, Windsor and Royal Borough Museum, and St. John the Baptist Church.
Yes, there are numerous guided tours for visitors to explore Windsor! These include everything from direct access to Windsor Castle to experiencing an all-day combo tour by traveling to multiple towns, which will be covered within a day.
Definitely! Windsor has something for everyone, be it history enthusiasts, sports lovers, couples, groups, or families. The town has a variety of attractions that make it worth the journey.
The castle is open every day except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can enter anytime between the operating hours of Windsor Castle. Between November 1 and February 29, the timings are from 10am to 4:15pm. Between March 1 to October 31, it is open from 10am to 5:15pm.
Yes, Windsor Castle is fully accessible. Reduced prices are also available if you have a disability and a companion is admitted free of charge.
Yes, Windsor makes for a great day trip from London. You can either plan it yourself or take a guided tour, which arranges your transfers and has an English-speaking guide that gives you information, facts, and trivia about the town.