Windsor walking tour & city guide

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and is still a working royal palace. Visitors can see the lavish State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls' House and St George's Chapel, where many monarchs are buried, including Queen Elizabeth II. The changing of the guard takes place on several mornings a week.

The town, the Long Walk and Eton

Windsor's town center has cobbled lanes, the Guildhall designed by Christopher Wren, and the Crooked House, a leaning timber building. The Long Walk, a tree-lined avenue nearly 5 kilometers long, runs from the castle through Windsor Great Park. Across a footbridge over the Thames, Eton is home to the famous Eton College.

A classic walk around Windsor

Start at the castle entrance on Castle Hill and walk down Peascod Street and Church Street, past the Guildhall and the Crooked House. Continue down Thames Street to the river, where swans gather and boat trips depart.

Cross Windsor Bridge into Eton and walk along its High Street to Eton College, then return and walk up to the start of the Long Walk for the classic view of the castle. The walk is about 4 kilometers.

Visiting tips

Windsor is less than an hour from central London by train. The castle is sometimes closed for royal events, so check before visiting. Legoland Windsor is nearby, and Runnymede, where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, is a short drive down the river.