Things to Do in Windsor England: The Complete 2026 Guide

Things to do in Windsor England include touring Windsor Castle, watching the Changing of the Guard, walking the Long Walk through Windsor Great Park, cruising the Thames, and visiting Legoland Windsor. All of it sits inside a small, walkable market town under an hour from London, which is exactly why so many day trippers end up trying to cram too much into too little time.

Is Windsor Castle Worth Visiting?

Yes, and it’s the reason most people come to Windsor in the first place. As the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, it has been the family home of British royals for nearly 1,000 years, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and home to 40 monarchs since. Wandering the State Apartments feels genuinely different from most castle visits, since this remains a working royal residence rather than a preserved museum piece. A common mistake first timers make is budgeting an hour for the visit, when most travelers end up spending closer to two to three hours once they factor in St George’s Chapel and the grounds. Photography isn’t allowed inside the State Apartments, so don’t expect to capture much beyond memory once you’re through the doors.

How Much Are Windsor Castle Tickets?

Expect to pay around £32 per adult if booked online in advance, rising to £36 for tickets bought on the day at the gate. Reduced rates apply for children, and family tickets are available directly through the official Royal Collection Trust site, which is worth checking before paying full individual prices.

Ticket Type	Price
Adult, booked in advance	£32
Adult, on the day	£36
Children	Reduced rate
Family ticket	Discounted bundle, check official site

Booking ahead saves money and also guarantees entry, since the castle limits daily visitor numbers. Combine this with St George’s Chapel, included in the ticket price, and the grounds themselves, and the admission genuinely covers a half day’s worth of sightseeing rather than a quick walkthrough.

Is Windsor Castle Open Every Day?

No, Windsor Castle is open Thursday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan your trip around that schedule rather than assuming it’s open daily like many major attractions. St George’s Chapel inside the grounds keeps its own separate hours, typically open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and it can close early on Saturday afternoons for services. Checking both schedules together before booking travel avoids the disappointment of arriving on a closed day, which happens more often than travelers expect given how central the castle is to any Windsor visit.

How Do I Get to Windsor from London?

Windsor has two train stations just ten minutes apart on foot, both within about a five minute walk of the castle, making the trip from London genuinely simple.

Route	Time	Notes
Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside	Under an hour	Direct train, no changes
Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central	Just over 30 minutes	Requires a change en route
Driving from London	Around 45 minutes	Cheapest parking on the town’s edge, 10 minute walk to castle

The direct train from Waterloo is the most straightforward option for most visitors, since it skips the connection required on the Paddington route. Booking point-to-point train tickets ahead of travel typically saves money compared to buying on the day. Drivers should head for the long stay car parks on the edge of town rather than paying premium rates closer to the castle, and the RingGo app works across all of Windsor’s car parks for easy payment.

What Is the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle?

The Changing of the Guard at Windsor runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, on alternate days from the more famous ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. The ceremony itself begins at 11am, and if you want to watch from inside the castle grounds, locals recommend booking the 10am entry slot to give yourself time to get into position beforehand. Outside the castle, the New Guard marches from Victoria Barracks at 10.45am up Sheet Street to the castle via the High Street and Castle Hill, and traffic gets stopped along the route to turn it into a temporary parade ground. This part is completely free to watch, so travelers on a tighter budget can still catch the spectacle without paying for castle admission. Schedules do shift around royal engagements and special events, so checking the official Changing of the Guard schedule the week of your visit is worth the extra step.

What Is the Long Walk in Windsor?

The Long Walk is a 2.65 mile tree lined avenue running from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue atop Snow Hill, and it’s one of the most photographed views in the whole town. Walking the full stretch to the statue rewards you with the best views back toward the castle, and deer frequently wander the surrounding grounds of Windsor Great Park, especially in early morning when they’re easiest to spot. History buffs might appreciate knowing Snow Hill is reportedly where King Henry VIII waited for news of Anne Boleyn’s execution, a detail that adds some weight to what would otherwise just be a scenic walk.

Can You Visit Windsor Castle and Eton in One Day?

Yes, and it’s one of the easiest combinations to pull off since Eton sits just across the River Thames from Windsor, an easy walk over the bridge. Eton College, one of England’s most prestigious schools, has educated generations of royalty and prime ministers, though it’s worth knowing the school itself is closed to public visits on weekdays. If timing allows, scheduling a Sunday visit opens up the Eton College Natural History Museum, where a rare original page from Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species is on display. Pairing a morning at Windsor Castle with an afternoon stroll through Eton’s historic streets is a comfortable, unrushed way to see both without needing extra travel days.

Is Legoland Windsor Good for Younger Kids?

Yes, Legoland Windsor is specifically built with younger children in mind, and DUPLO Valley caters directly to kids under 3 with dedicated rides, play areas, and even a small water park. The wider resort covers ages roughly 3 to 12 across a dozen different themed lands, from the Kingdom of the Pharaohs to Pirate Shores, with interactive builds, live shows, and gentle rides throughout. Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended, since it guarantees entry and avoids the disappointment of arriving to a sold out day during school holidays. Located just two miles from Windsor town centre, shuttle buses run from the train stations, so a car isn’t strictly necessary to get there.

What Other Things Are There to Do in Windsor with Kids?

Beyond Legoland, Windsor packs in a surprising number of family friendly options within walking distance of the castle.

• The Windsor Duck Tour takes families around town in an amphibious vehicle before splashing into the Thames, with a quacking horn that’s consistently a hit with younger kids
• The Royal Windsor Maze at Goswells Park is a free, chess themed flat brick maze suitable for all ages
• The Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is free to enter, though closed Sundays and Mondays, with hands on displays covering everything from Roman tiles to childhood toys
• Mini Mundo offers indoor soft play across 5,000 square feet, a solid rainy day backup
• Extreme Motion in Alexandra Gardens combines a bungee trampoline with an 18 hole adventure golf course

Is Blenheim Palace Worth a Day Trip from Windsor?

For travelers staying overnight rather than doing a single day trip, yes, Blenheim Palace is a genuinely worthwhile add on. Built in a style similar to the Palace of Versailles, it’s one of the largest estates in England, currently owned by the Duke of Marlborough, and it sits only about an hour from Windsor by car. Adult tickets range from £20.50 to £40 depending on what’s included, and the palace houses a dedicated exhibit on Winston Churchill, who was born there unexpectedly two months early. The honest tradeoff is that this only makes sense if you’re staying in Windsor for more than a single day trip, since fitting both the castle and Blenheim into one day from London would leave almost no time to actually enjoy either.

Is Windsor a Good Day Trip from London?

Yes, Windsor consistently ranks as one of the most popular day trips from London, and the appeal is obvious once you’re there. It’s compact enough to see the major highlights in a single day, yet layered enough with royal history, riverside walks, and family attractions that many travelers end up wishing they’d booked an extra night. Weekends bring noticeably heavier crowds, particularly around the castle and Queen Charlotte Street at lunchtime, so arriving early or visiting on a weekday genuinely improves the experience if your schedule allows it.

Final Thoughts

Windsor rewards a bit of planning more than its small size suggests. Book Windsor Castle tickets ahead of your trip, check whether your visit lands on a day the castle is actually open, and decide early whether Legoland, Eton, or Blenheim Palace fits into your schedule. Whether it’s a rushed day trip from London or a slower overnight stay, the things to do in Windsor England add up to far more than most first timers expect from one small market town.

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to get to Windsor from London?

Booking point-to-point train tickets in advance from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside is typically the cheapest and most direct option, taking under an hour with no changes required.

What is the Royal Windsor Maze?

The Royal Windsor Maze is a free, chess themed flat brick maze at Goswells Park, with a simple version for younger kids and a harder one-way puzzle version for older kids and teens.

Where do you eat in Windsor?

Windsor has a strong mix of traditional pubs like The Two Brewers and The Horse & Groom, plus brasseries, afternoon tea spots, and a well regarded Italian restaurant known for homemade pasta.

What is Queen Charlotte Street?

Queen Charlotte Street is officially recognized as the shortest street in the UK, measuring just 51 feet 10 inches, and it sits only 50 yards from Windsor Castle.