48 hours in Windsor

Merely a hop, skip and a jump from London, a stone’s throw from Heathrow Airport but a world away from the city, Windsor is a place of beauty where you can enjoy the very best of English culture, feel a sense of history and free your mind.

If you’re looking for a few options on how to keep conference delegates, business visitors or event guests busy for a few hours – we have the answer! We’ve put together a plan for how to spend 48 hours in Windsor, giving you a wealth of ideas to share with your guests. Take elements of our suggestions to fill the time as needed.  

Day one

With almost 1,000 years of history to discover, 13 acres of buildings including the magnificent State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and St George’s Chapel, you need at least two hours at Windsor Castle. It doesn’t matter how many times you have visited before there’s always something new to see or experience meaning this iconic attraction has to be top of your must-visit list. Time your visit so that you can catch the Changing the Guard ceremony that takes place in Lower Ward. This is the only place outside London where you can see this colourful display whilst listening to the military band.

Relax after lunch on a gentle cruise along the River Thames as it meanders past famous sites such as Eton College Chapel and Royal Windsor Racecourse or take in the spectacular views of Windsor Castle from the Long Walk during a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Take a stroll over the bridge to the opposite bank of the Thames into Eton with its world-famous school. Eton is an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary retail bringing together antiques and modern art, traditional medicines and complementary beauty therapies, English roast dinners and exquisite European cuisine. The mile-long high street leading down to Eton College gives you a sense of stepping back in time when you see the boys in their traditional school dress.

After hours you’ll find great entertainment at Windsor’s Theatre Royal or one of two fantastic arts centres in the borough: Norden Farm in Maidenhead and The Old Court in Windsor.

For the ultimate dining experience head to the culinary mother ship at Bray where Michelin stars abound but if you prefer to stay in Windsor you’ll find a fine array of eating places and watering holes.

Day two

Learn more about this charming town and its history by taking a guided tour with a local expert. Nobody knows it quite like Windsor Tourist Guides do.

For a fun way to experience Windsor and Eton head to the Duck Stop outside the Theatre Royal to catch the Windsor Duck Tour, an amphibious vehicle that takes you on a circular tour of the town on road and water.

If you prefer something more active test your skills at one of our two interactive and immersive escape rooms in Windsor: Escape in 60 and Escape Experience. Find clues, solve puzzles and crack codes to locate the key for your escape! You have 60 minutes on the clock… will you make it out?

Windsor Great Park is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the natural environment, offering horse riding, mountain biking, kite flying, picnicking, walks and more. The glorious Savill Garden bursting with colour all year round, and plenty of fresh air will help clear your mind and refresh your soul.

Sample itinerary for a VIP guest or senior executives:

Book a private evening tour of the State Apartments at Windsor Castle with an expert guide. The tour includes a glass of champagne and a copy of the official guidebook. You’ll be in close proximity to the Windsor Guildhall which boasts breathtaking chandeliers (on loan from the Royal Collection Trust on behalf of the Monarch), where you can have a catered private dining event. If you want to pull out all the stops, book an after-dinner speaker for your event to bring together historic themes to suit your event occasion.  

Sample itinerary for event bookers and corporate groups:

Book a party at Royal Windsor Racecourse for your own event – catch a river taxi from central Windsor to the racecourse and stage your own celebration or dinner in an indoor or outdoor space depending on the season. The team at Royal Windsor Racecourse can help you source entertainers, caterers and more to suit your event.  

Sample itinerary for groups and associations:

The Castle Hotel offers guests a treasure hunt around Windsor, great for team building and seeing more of the sights around town. You could adapt your own version based on the Eton Walkway or The Queen’s Walkway.

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