24 Hours in Windsor
The largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, a school whose old boys have included princes and prime ministers, and a tree-lined avenue stretching over two and a half miles to a bronze horse on a distant hill, one proper day in the royal town on the Thames.
Windsor packs an unusual amount into a single day, the world’s oldest continuously occupied castle, a genuinely storied school across the river, and a riverside walk worth the whole afternoon. Here’s how I’d spend 24 hours here.
Windsor Castle
Start early at Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Book tickets ahead through the official Royal Collection Trust site, the castle is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and St George’s Chapel is closed on Sundays.
Eton College and the Long Walk
Cross Windsor Bridge to Eton College, England’s most distinguished public school, its Museum of Eton Life open to the public on Sunday afternoons throughout the year. Follow it with a walk along the Long Walk, the 2.6-mile tree-lined avenue stretching from the castle to the Copper Horse statue.
Getting there A short walk across Windsor Bridge
A riverside pub dinner
End the day at a riverside pub along the Thames, Windsor’s promenade genuinely lined with proper spots for dinner and a pint with a view of the water. A fitting way to close out a day steeped in royal history.
Getting around
Windsor town centre is genuinely walkable, the Castle, Eton College and the riverside all sit within a comfortable stroll of each other, roughly 20 minutes on foot between the furthest points.
If you only have time for one thing
Make it Windsor Castle. It’s the single most significant sight in the town, and walking through the State Apartments is a proper introduction to a thousand years of royal history before you’ve even reached Eton.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
