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A332, south of M4 Junction 6 |
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Berkshire
Features
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Berkshire
Guides & Maps
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 Windsor
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The suburban town of Windsor
lies 21 miles west of London.
Set immediately south of the
River Thames, Windsor faces the smaller town of Eton on the
opposite bank. The two settlements are connected by the Windsor
Bridge, now used only by pedestrians and cyclists.
Windsor grew up in the 11th century
when William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a new
fortress to protect the western approaches to London. The
settlement which grew up around Windsor Castle, was originally
called 'New Windsor' to distinguish it from Old Windsor, which
lies two miles south and predates it by 300 years.
Windsor expanded to encompass
three Saxon villages: Clewer, Dedworth and Losfield. Clewer
Village derives its name from the 'Cliff-Dwellers' who once
lived below the hill on which Windsor Castle was built. The
oldest village in the Royal Borough of Windsor, Clewer grew
up at a fording-place on the River Thames. This was the only
crossing place for several miles and became famous for traders,
pilgrims and soldiers.
Further expansion took place
after the arrival of the railways in the 1840 and later when
Windsor Castle became the permanent residence of the Royal
Family. The arrival of the Court brought about a considerable
amount of building in Clewer for the courtiers.
As the location of Windsor
Castle, one of the official residences of the Royal Family,
Windsor is a very popular tourist destination.
In late June visitors to Windsor
can watch the royal family as they leave Windsor Castle for
the Royal Meeting at Ascot Racecourse (stand in Long Lane
and see the fleet of royal cars emerge at around 1.35 pm).
There are good road links and
the town is also served by two separate railway lines.
Those who want to see Windsor
in style can take a horse-drawn carriage. Visitors are collected
from the High Street (opposite the Harte and Garder Hotel)
and trips last either 30 minutes or an hour. The carriages
operate from 12.30 pm - 5.30 pm according to demand.
The delightful Theatre Royal
Windsor nestles in the shadow of Windsor Castle. One of the
UK's leading theatres, it has gained a reputation the high
quality of its productions.
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| Location
Map of Windsor |
What
To See -
Windsor Tourist Attractions
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 Changing
of the Guard, Windsor Castle is an official residence
of The Queen. The Changing of the Guard, one of the highlights
of Windsor, takes places throughout the year, depending on the
weather. Visitors can watch the new Guards march up the High
Street to the Castle at 10.50 am and the old Guard march back
down at about 11.25 am. The actual 'Changing' ceremony takes
place at 11.00 am outside the Guardroom in the Lower Ward of
Windsor Castle and to observe this visitors must pay to go inside.
For
times and days see www.royalcollection.org.uk |
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| Royal
Windsor Racecourse on the banks of the River Thames,
the Racecourse offers flat racing between April and October
and jump racing during November and December. Regular Monday
evening fixtures in the summer attract large crowds. The course
is just over a mile and a half long and laid out in a figure
of eight. The final five furlongs are almost straight and
six furlong races start on an extension to this straight. Located
on the A308 between Windsor and Maidenhead. Visitors arriving
by rail ( either Windsor and Eton Riverside or Windsor and Eton
Central) should head for Barry Avenue Promenade on the Thames
and catch the River Bus to the racecourse. This attractive
river trip downstream of Windsor Bridge is usually quicker than
by taxi. |
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Windsor
Great Park, to the south of the town of Windsor. Dating
from the 13th century, the 4,800 acres of deer park and Crown
Estate originally formed the hunting ground of Windsor Castle.
An enclosed deer park, at the northern end of the Park, is
home to a semi-wild herd of deer. The Park is associated
with 'Herne the Hunter' (the ghost of a huntsman employed
by King Richard II). Herne is said to have saved the King's
life when he was corned by a white hart but was killed by
the stag in the process. A local wizard brought Herne back
to life by tying the dead stag's antlers around his head but
as payment he had to give up hunting. This drove Herne mad
and he was found the next day hanging dead from a lone oak
tree. Today most of Windsor Great Park is open to the public,
a perfect place for a picnic and is ideal for walking, cycling
and horseriding.
Windsor
Great Park is accessible by foot from the town of Windsor
along the Long Walk and there are also several car parks along
the A322, that passes through the Park. Visitors to Virginia
Water can park at Blacknest Gate. The Park is open from dawn
to dusk throughout the year. There is free access to Windsor
Great Park except for the Savill Garden.
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| The
Royal Lodge and Cumberland Lodge, dating from the 17th
century, the Lodge iss 3 miles south of Windsor Castle at the
centre of Windsor Great Park. Built as the Deputy Ranger's House
but was made a retreat for the Prince Regent in 1812. In 1931
the property was granted to the Duke and Duchess of York, later
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. After the death of George
VI the Queen Mother continued to use the house until her death
in 2002. The Royal Lodge it is now the official residence of
the Duke of York and not accessible to the public. Cumberland
Lodge was built in 1650 , and following the Restoration of Charles
II the house became the first official residence of the Ranger
of the Great Park. It is now an education centre and not open
to the public. |
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Savill Building, this new visitor centre, designed by
Glenn Howells Architects, lies a mile from Englefield Green
and 4 miles from Windsor Castle. Completed in 2006, the visitor
centre is the gateway to the Royal Landscape. Covering 1,000
acres of landscaped gardens, lakes and woodland, the Royal Landscape
includes the Savill Garden, the Valley Gardens and Virginia
Water lake. See www.theroyallandscape.co.uk |
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| Valley
Gardens,covering 220 acres, the
Valley Gardens are considered to be the finest woodland
gardens in world. The gardens lies in the south-east corner
of Windsor Great Park and boast a huge range of trees, shrubs
and flowering plants. Planted from 1946 onwards, the gardens
provide interest throughout the year but are particularly beautiful
in the spring when there is a magnificent display of rhododendrons,
azaleas, camellias and magnolias. The Heather Garden also contains
the National Collections of dwarf and slow-growing conifers.
Free admission. Open: every day from sunrise to sunset. |
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| Virginia
Water Lake, originally just a small stream, this large
lake was created in 1753 by William, Duke of Cumberland, a Ranger
of the Great Park. Until the creation of reservoirs Virginia
Water was the largest man-made stretch of water in the British
Isles. Most of Virginia Water lies in Surrey, and the nearby
village of Virginia Water takes its name from the lake. Surrounded
by hundreds of acres of rich and varied woodland, highlights
include the 'Roman temple', the Obelisk Pond and an extensive
cascade dating from the 1780s. Beside Wick Pond stands a 100
ft Totem Pole, given by the government of British Columbia to
mark the province's establishment as a Crown Colony. |
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Windsor
Castle, one of England's most popular tourist attraction. |
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| Frogmore,
Frogmore House lies in the private grounds of the Home Park
of Windsor Castle. The house, with 33 acres of gardens, dates
from the 1680s and was purchased by George III in 1792 as a
retreat for Queen Charlotte. The Queen laid out the garden
with rare and unsual plants. In 1841 Queen Victoria gave Frogmore
to her mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg, the Duchess
of Kent. Following the death of his mother-in-law, Prince Albert
commissioned a mausoleum at Frogmore to house her remains.
When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria broke with tradtion
and ordered the building of an imposing mausoleum at Frogmore.
The Frogmore Mausoleum was to hold Prince Albert's remains,
and be the Queen's final resting place beside him. Adjacent
to the Frogmore Mausoleum lies the royal burial ground. Since
1928 most members of the royal family, except sovereigns, have
been buried here. Among the graves are those of the Duke of
Windsor,(the former King Edward VIII, and his Duchess, Wallis
Simpson. The royal burial ground may be viewed from the perimeter
on garden open days. Frogmore House, Garden and Mausoleum are
open on a very limited number of days each year (usually in
May and August). For details and advance tickets ring 020 7766
7321 |
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Legoland,
2 miles from Windsor on B3022 Windsor/Ascot road, , this theme
park (built on the site of the former Windsor Safari Park) has
amazing models created from over 45 million Lego bricks. Set
in 150 acres of beautiful parkland, Legoland offers lots of
fun for all the family, with over 50 interactive rides, attractions
and live shows to choose from. Highlights include Miniland
, featuring scenes from London, Paris and Amsterdam, a Driving
School, where children can gain a Legoland driving licence and
panning for pirate gold. Call 08705 04 04 04 for admission
details.  |
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Where
To Stay in Windsor
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Thames Street Windsor SL4 1PX MAP
Beautifully appointed, steeped in history and uniquely situated.
More... |
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Burfield Road Old Windsor Windsor SL4 2JP MAP
Beaumont House conference centre, part of the Principal-Hayley Group, covers a 40-acre site in a fantastic location, only an 8-minute drive from the centre of Windsor. This is an ideal base for visiting London, Henley-on-Thames, Wentworth and Ascot.
More... |
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18 High Street Windsor SL4 1LJ MAP
A 2 minute walk from the main gate of Windsor Castle, the Mercure Castle Hotel is an historic landmark in its own right. Excellently positioned for shopping, sightseeing and access to Windsor Great Park; a Legoland bus stop is opposite the hotel.
More... |
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Windsor Road Water Oakley Windsor SL4 5UR MAP
This beautiful Victorian hotel is set in 35 acres of grounds on the River Thames with a 9 hole Golf course. The hotel also has Leisure Club and Pool, Tennis Courts, Croquet and Private Boating during Spring and Summer.
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High Street Windsor SL4 1PH MAP
Sitting in the shadow of Windsor Castle, the Harte & Garter Hotel and Spa enjoys the finest location in town. Recently enjoying a GBP 7.
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46 Kings Road Windsor SL4 2AG MAP
The Royal Adelaide is a splendid Georgian hotel, named after Queen Adelaide the Consort of William IV. Hotel is close to town centre and within walking distance of Windsor Castle and Town Centre.
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Guest
Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels
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Beaumont Estate, Burfield Road Old Windsor Windsor SL4 2JJ MAP
In 40 acres of beautiful, immaculately kept gardens, in the grounds of the Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor, this stunning mansion house dates back to 1790.
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46 Alma Road Windsor SL4 3HA MAP
Beautiful Victorian house in central Windsor, in a quiet street only 5 minutes walk from the town centre and Windsor Castle and a 5 minute drive to Legoland.
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65, Vansittart Road Windsor SL4 5DB MAP
Conveniently situated 300 metres from Windsor Leisure Pool and the River Thames, this family-run lodge is located near junction 6 of the M4, and 15 minutes’ drive from Heathrow.
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169 Oxford Road Windsor SL4 5DX MAP
This small, family-run B&B with free Wi-Fi is very near to Windsor town centre and a short walk from the train stations and Windsor Castle. Dee&Steve's is a refurbished, non-smoking B&B a 20-minute drive from Heathrow Airport.
More... |
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Around
The Windsor Area
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Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Eton (0.42 miles) Datchet (1.23 miles) Slough (2.00 miles) Old Windsor (2.03 miles) Egham (4.35 miles) Bray (4.40 miles) Staines (5.33 miles) Maidenhead (5.53 miles) Ascot (5.72 miles) Stanwell (5.80 miles) Sunningdale (5.84 miles) |
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Information
Centre
24 High Street
Windsor
SL4 1LH
Tel: 01753 743900 |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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