Comunemente considerata una delle migliori gite di un giorno da fare da Londra, Windsor si trova a poche centinaia di miglia dalla vivace capitale del Regno Unito, eppure sembra un mondo lontano, con storiche strade acciottolate fiancheggiate da alcuni edifici così antichi che letteralmente sembrano crollare.
- 1. Shop at Windsor Royal Station
- 2. Be careful while walking along Thames Street
- 3. Feel like a princess at Windsor Castle
- 4. See where Meghan and Harry got married at St George’s Chapel
- 5. Enjoy Windsor Great Park
- 6. Make the Long Walk
- 7. Walk the Shortest Street in Great Britain
- 8. Find the famous crooked house
- 9. Relive Your Childhood at LEGOLAND Windsor
- 10. Visit Liz and her Corgi at Bachelor’s Acre
- 11. Admire the Windsor Guildhall
- 12. Find the Sydney Camm Memorial
- 13. Reflect at the Ancient Well
Nel visitare Windsor ci si aspettava “castle central” e non molto altro. Invece si è rimasti sorpresi di trovare un sacco di posti unici e attività divertenti per riempire la giornata, come correre lungo la strada più breve della Gran Bretagna (un viaggio lungo pochi secondi) o accarezzare un branco di statue di corgi che compongono la più dolce dedica alla regina Elisabetta II in tutto il paese.
If you are heading to Windsor by train, you will most likely arrive at Windsor & Eton Riverside, a tiny station that seems surprisingly simple considering the royal reputation of the town.
But don’t worry: Windsor does have a much larger station to marvel at, and you will find it connected to the other railway station – Windsor & Eton Central. Attached to Windsor & Eton Central is Windsor Royal Station, which is now a splendid shopping center.
This original railway station was built in 1850 and is a Grade II listed building for its beautiful Victorian architecture. It is also full of modern shops, cafes, and stylish restaurants, with a lovely steam locomotive rightfully known as “The Queen” on display in the center of the covered arcade.
If you are looking for a stylish place to eat or have a drink, go to All Bar One located inside what was Queen Victoria’s private waiting room, with some period features preserved behind glass such as her marble sink.
If you are walking to Windsor Castle from Windsor & Eton Riverside station, you will most likely head towards Thames Street, a curved street lined with restaurants, shops, and pubs on one side and the castle walls on the other. Since you will inevitably take many photos of the castle, make sure to also watch where you are walking and see if you can spot a clock embedded in the concrete outside Pizza Express (a very charming location).
This is quite an unusual attraction as it is perhaps the only similar clock in the entire country. The story of the so-called “sidewalk clock” of Windsor dates back to the 1950s, when a clock was originally installed in front of Dyson & Sons shop (incredibly, watchmakers, not pizza makers).
The current version dates only to 2011, but as a bonus curiosity, it is said that there is a time capsule hidden beneath it.
The most important and popular attraction in Windsor is the Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, which was one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite main residences. This means that members of the British royal family actually live here when you visit, as many parts of the castle are open to the public.
Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Windsor is a beautiful castle surrounded by splendid gardens, so it’s easy to understand why the former queen loved it so much. This and over 300 fireplaces, more than 400 clocks, and what is supposed to be the oldest kitchen in the country. But I won’t bore you with the details.
One of the best and most popular things to see here is the Changing of the Guard ceremony (similar to the one held at Buckingham Palace but on a smaller scale), although you should also make sure not to miss the magnificent Queen’s Dollhouse exhibit inside!
Practical information for your visit. The entrance to Windsor Castle requires a paid ticket that they recommend booking in advance. If you want to attend the Changing of the Guard, be sure to check the schedule here.
Keep in mind that it usually takes place only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and the main ceremony takes place in the castle, so you will need a ticket. No photography or videography is allowed inside, but photos of the exterior of the castle are encouraged. Some rooms of the State Apartments are open only from September to March, so come during those months if your goal is to see as much of the palace as possible.
One of the most popular activities in Windsor is taking a look at the St George’s Chapel, better known to us millennials obsessed with fairy tales as the place where Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018.
St George’s Chapel was originally built in the 14th century, further expanded during the 15th century, and over the years has been the site of numerous royal weddings and burials. Notable members of the royal family buried here include Henry VIII, Charles I, Elizabeth II, her father George VI, and her husband, Prince Philip.
Photos are not allowed inside, but trust me when I say it is a wonderful Gothic marvel worth the admission fee (included in your ticket to Windsor Castle).
There are many lovely things to do in Windsor if you like the great outdoors, especially within the Windsor Great Park. This 5,000-acre Royal Park was the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle, but it is now mostly free to the public. There is a fenced deer park where semi-wild red deer can roam without being hunted, and there are many beautiful areas to stroll or picnic when the weather is nice. The Savill Garden is the only section of the park with an entrance fee, but it is very beautiful and costs only £7.95 if you book tickets online.
Another attraction located inside Windsor Great Park is the Long Walk, a very aptly named straight road that stretches for 4.3 km (3 miles) between Windsor Castle and a statue of a copper horse on Snow Hill.
Since the Long Walk is so straight, you can enjoy incredible views of Windsor Castle from the tree-lined avenue, and taking a walk here is one of the best free things to do in Windsor. If you go all the way to Snow Hill, you can see King George III’s copper horse statue and breathtaking views, even of London on a clear day!
For a much shorter stroll, you can also find the shortest street in Great Britain in Windsor: Queen Charlotte Street! It is located next to the Crooked House (see the next section) and there is a small plaque to mark it, so you can photograph your arduous achievement for everyone to see.
This street is less than 52 feet long and lined with ancient cobblestones, plus it is just down the road from Windsor Castle… so it would be rude not to at least stop by. At the end of this little street, there is a lovely pub, The Carpenter’s Arms, which is a great spot for a drink and some quintessential British pub food!
Another one of the most bizarre things to see in Windsor is located right next to Queen Charlotte Street and it is the famous crooked house. The Crooked House of Windsor is the oldest tearoom in England, or at least it was before it closed. It was originally built as Market Cross House in 1687, but was demolished to make way for the Guildhall. The local council was later reprimanded for demolishing it and was ordered to rebuild it, but it didn’t do a great job!
Since its reconstruction in the 18th century, the building has had a noticeable lean. In later years it was used as a butcher shop, tea brewery, antique shop, and jewelry store, although it is currently empty. Even so, it is worth stopping for a photo of the wobbly facade.
One of the most fun things to do in Windsor is to visit LEGOLAND Windsor, a theme park and resort entirely dedicated to the little bricks known as Lego.
Obviously, this would be a great activity choice if you are visiting Windsor with children, but anyone who has memories of building things with Lego in their childhood (or trauma from accidentally stepping on one) will appreciate it. There are Lego-themed rides, models, building workshops, and even two hotels, as it is both a resort and a theme park.
The prize for the cutest area, however, might only go to Miniland, where you can see miniature versions of countries and cities from all over the world, all created using Lego!
For one of the best interesting things to see in Windsor (at least for shameless corgi-obsessed people like me), head to Bachelor’s Acre where there is a charming statue of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by corgis! The late queen was famous for her love of the adorable soft-bottomed breed, and this statue shows her in a rare relaxed and casual pose. It was installed during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 and is known as The Windsor Lady.
Bachelor’s Acre has been a site for markets and fairs since the Middle Ages, although today it is a small park with playground equipment and interactive water games, as well as the former queen with her corgis.
The Windsor Guildhall serves as the town hall of Windsor and hosts numerous charity fundraisers, dinners, and weddings, including the weddings of many famous couples.
Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and Camilla held their wedding ceremony here in 2005 since it was a civil rather than religious service, as did Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish (also in 2005) when it became legal for same-sex couples.
The Guildhall is very elegant, as it was partly built by Sir Christopher Wren, whose extensive list of works includes St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and literally more than fifty other churches after the Great Fire of London.
While you can’t just walk around the Guildhall unless you are attending an event, the Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is located inside the Guildhall. A visit here is one of the best things to do in Windsor, especially because you can learn about local history by exploring the interiors.
Aviation enthusiasts will want to seek out one of Windsor’s best-kept gems: the Sydney Camm Memorial. Sydney Camm was a Windsor resident who designed the Hurricane aircraft, which played a very important role during the Second World War. He was called “the man who saved Britain” after the Battle of Britain and was awarded a British Order of Chivalry in 1941, as well as a knighthood in 1952.
If you want to see his memorial, a replica of a Hurricane model, you can find it near the Thames, at the western end of Alexandra Park. It looks particularly beautiful at sunset when the display lights are on!
Finally, if you are still looking for unusual things to do in Windsor, I can suggest a visit to the ancient well at the corner of St Alban’s Street and High Street.
This well is located next to a typically British red telephone box (also a great photo opportunity) and while the side reads “Ancient Well“, I couldn’t find any information, neither on a plaque nor online, about how old it might be!
It looks very nice though, with the Royal Mews yard behind it. There is also a statue of a soldier honoring the fallen Irish Guards nearby.
