Windsor: the back story

About Windsor: the back story

By the ULTIMATE London Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Windsor, about an hour west of London, grew up around the castle William the Conqueror built above the Thames. It is still a royal town, with Eton College across the river and Windsor Great Park stretching south.

The castle

Windsor Castle has been rebuilt and extended by monarch after monarch since the 11th century. Its Round Tower crowns the mound of the original motte, and the State Apartments show off the Royal Collection.

St George’s Chapel

The Gothic St George’s Chapel, begun in 1475, is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter and the burial place of many monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II. It is generally closed to sightseers on Sundays.

Windsor is the royal family’s weekend home, and has been for centuries.

The town, Eton and the Great Park

Below the castle, the town’s streets lead down to the Thames and the bridge to Eton, home of the famous school. To the south, the Long Walk runs for miles into Windsor Great Park.

Our advice: check the opening days on rct.uk before you go, arrive early, and leave time for a walk down the Long Walk or across the river to Eton.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Windsor: the back story before you go.