This was published 6 years ago
Things to see and do in Windsor, England: A three-minute guide
There's more to this prosperous town on the Thames than royals.
An aerial view of Windsor Castle.Credit: PA
WHY?
Windsor will hog the headlines when Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle on May 19 inside Windsor Castle, but the prosperous royal town on the Thames has more to it than special edition souvenir mugs. The castle, of course, is the star, but nearby there's also Royal Ascot for horse-racing fans, the Eton school that produced several British prime ministers, and Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed.
VISIT
A dolls' book published in human size.Credit: Alamy
Windsor may be rather posh, but it does a nice line in tremendous pubs. The Two Brewers is a highly atmospheric former 17th century coffee house, split into two bars – This Bar and That Bar. Wooden floors, walls full of black and white photos, shelves piled with trinketry and dusty old wine bottles make it the sort of place you want to hunker down in during a storm. See twobrewerswindsor.co.uk
EAT
Eight kilometres to the north-west of Windsor is one of Britain's culinary oddities. The tiny village of Bray is home to seven Michelin stars. The Hind's Head has one, while the Waterside Inn – founded by the Roux brothers – and Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck have three each. Needless to say, you're going to need to reserve all three in advance. See hindsheadbray.com, waterside-inn.co.uk, thefatduck.co.uk
LOOK
Windsor Castle – the oldest continually-occupied fortress in the world – is the clear highlight. And the State Apartments are predictably lavish. The most impressive single room is St George's Hall, a deliciously OTT banqueting hall featuring a table that can seat 160 guests. But St George's Chapel – where Henry VIII and several other royals are interred – gives it a close run for it money. The fan-vaulted roof and elaborate choir stalls will be on show when Harry and Meghan tie the knot inside the chapel. See royalcollection.org.uk
MUST
One of the Castle's most endearing oddities is Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Painstakingly created by architect Sir Edward Luytens, it has electricity and running water, plus astonishingly detailed rooms that include a library with gazillions of tiny books. It ends up being skipped if you take the wrong route round the castle – so check it out before heading into the State Apartments.
SLEEP
The four-star Sir Christopher Wren is spread over several buildings near the River Thames, and the rooms tend to have a homely character to them. Many have fireplaces, headboards are made out of rich red woods, and spa baths give a pampering touch. Little bonuses include complimentary fruit laid out on the side tables. Rooms cost from £148, including breakfast. See sirchristopherwren.co.uk
TIP
Windsor is closer to Heathrow Airport than central London is – and makes for a much more relaxed base for someone groggily getting off the plane from the other side of the world. Royal Windsor Taxis will whisk you over there for £22 one-way. See royalwindsortaxis.co.uk
More information: Windsor.gov.uk, visitbritain.com
Disclosure: David Whitley was a guest of Visit Britain, see Windsor.gov.uk, visitbritain.com
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.