The Weekenders - Search for weekend getaways around the UK.

Windsor

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A right royal weekend

You might think the famous royal town of Windsor is only fit for school trips, coach parties and camera-wielding Americans. But a weekend break in the shadow of the UK’s most famous castle offers the perfect mix of great food, wonderful walks and the chance for a bit of shopping - and all less than an hour from London. It’s the Queen’s favourite weekend retreat, and you can’t get a much better recommendation than that.

What to see?

Approach Windsor by train or road and the town’s biggest attraction becomes rather apparent rather quickly. The huge 26-acre expanse that is Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and is one of those places that if you haven’t visited already, you really ought to. Originally built by William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest, the various bits of the castle have been built, re-built, extended, altered, bombed and burned down, but the famous round tower has stood firm and the royals have remained for over 900 years. Windsor residents are used to seeing various members of “The Firm” wandering around, and if the Royal Standard is flying above the Round Tower, you know that the Big Cheese herself is in the building.

As you can imagine, visiting the castle isn’t always a relaxing affair - once you’ve got past security there are the coachloads of tourists to deal with - but there’s loads to see and you can almost always find a quiet corner to appreciate this great wodge of British history.

Once you’ve done the castle, there are still plenty of lovely things to do and see in Windsor. The River Thames runs alongside the town and you can take trips along the river through the pretty Berkshire countryside (French Brothers have been plying the Thames in Windsor for years). You can jump aboard just west of Eton Bridge). Alternatively, you can rent a rowing boat and potter about among the swans.

On the opposite bank is the loveliness that is Eton, just a bridge away from the centre of Windsor. Not just a school (although Eton College, the educational womb of our current Prime Minister is pretty impressive and open for tours in the school holidays), the historic riverside village is a gaggle of antiques shops, atmospheric pubs and purveyors of quirk - including Eton’s “interesting” school uniform. On the same side of the river, and with possibly the best views of Windsor Castle, are Eton Meadows, a beautiful spot for a picnic on a sunny day.

Back in Windsor centre, you might be tempted by a spot of shopping - this may be a historic tourist honeytrap but Saturdays here are no different to any other town in Britain. For an enjoyable (yes, really!) shopping experience, head to Windsor Royal Shopping, a beautiful renovation of the town’s old railway station that’s been turned into a chic shopping centre. The town’s best low-cost eateries (think Café Rouge and Gourmet Burger Kitchen) are here too, making it a scenic lunch stop.

If you’d rather spend your weekend doing anything but shopping, Windsor’s most wonderful attraction has to be its Great Park. Owned by the Crown Estate, this massive expanse of parkland is nearly 5000 acres in size and stretches from Windsor castle for miles around. You could easily spend a whole weekend exploring the place, either on foot, by bike or on horseback and you can quickly find yourself alone on a quiet country lane, with only the odd flight taking off from Heathrow to remind you how close you are to the Capital. From Windsor town centre you enter the park at the south end of the castle (and pleasingly close to the cosy Two Brewers pub) and walk along the famous Long Walk, which stretches from the castle gates to the huge copper statue of George III on his horse nearly 3 miles away. From here, roads and gates lead you in all directions. For a speedy way to explore, hire a bike from Retro Ride who will drop off and pick up your bikes from any of the Great Park gates. Alternatively, hack your way around on four legs (try Tally Ho! Stables), for the full Royal Park experience.

Or why not try?

Legoland Windsor

Probably one for the under-tens, but still one of the UK’s top twenty tourist attractions.


Royal Windsor Racecourse

Small, but perfectly formed, this historic racecourse is the friendlier (and now classier!) alternative to its neighbour, Ascot.

Around and about

If Windsor Great Park doesn’t fill your walking boots (and it really should...!), the Thames Path heads upstream and downstream from Windsor for some lovely waterside walking. A full-on, but very rewarding 12-ish mile walk takes you upstream past Stanley Spencer’s beautiful Cookham, through the foodie mecca of Bray and under the shadow of the jaw-dropping architectural edifice that is Cliveden, aka Downton Abbey. The house itself is now an uber-expensive hotel, but the gardens and grounds are owned by the National Trust and are a nice place to wander and gawp.

For something a bit less sedate, you could combine your stay in Windsor with a race meet at one of the world’s most famous sporting venues. Ascot racecourse is just six miles from Windsor, and you can take the brilliant White Bus which takes you right through the Great Park en-route to its destination. July sees the most famous week of racing at Royal Ascot, but there is plenty more throughout the year.

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