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Things to do when Windsor Castle is closed

Windsor Castle is one of the big reasons for a visit to Windsor. However the Castle is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday and may close at short notice at other times. It may be one of the UK’s top visitor attractions but it is also an official home of King Charles III, a working palace and often the location of private events such as royal investitures.

Fortunately, there are lots of other things to do in Windsor town centre when the Castle is closed and you may just discover a hidden gem! Here are our top things to do when the Castle is closed. Please check seasonal opening times.

1. Self-guided walks of Windsor and Eton

Explore Windsor and Eton at your own pace via the Queen’s Walkway or Eton Walkway by following the circular markers in the towns’ pavements....Read More

1. Self-guided walks of Windsor and Eton

Explore Windsor and Eton at your own pace via the Queen’s Walkway or Eton Walkway by following the circular markers in the towns’ pavements.

Wander over Windsor Bridge and stroll down Eton High Street, taking in its historic buildings and enjoy a peaceful coffee in one of Eton’s charming independent cafes.

2. Guided Windsor and Eton town walks

Discover Windsor’s amazing history on a guided walking tour with one of our Blue Badge Guides. You may not be able to go inside the Castle on a Tuesday and Wednesday but our guides will tell you all about its influence on Windsor’s development and will show you around the oldest parts of the town.

3. Escape Room Experiences

Immerse yourself in the interactive world of an escape room! Find puzzles and solve clues in order to escape! We have two escape room companies to choose from in Windsor town centre: Escape in 60 and Windsor Escape Experience.

3. Take to the River Thames

River Thames passenger boat trips run daily subject to river conditions or why not jump on the Windsor Duck, an amphibious vehicle that lets you enjoy both road and river! Check out our Thames Trail page for more inspiration.

4. Open top bus tour

Golden Tours' carefully-designed route journeys through Windsor, Eton and Datchet ensuring visitors see all the must-see sights the area has to offer (running from 22 March 2025).

5. Horse-drawn carriage

Slow down the pace and experience the wonder of Windsor Great Park by horse-drawn carriage with Windsor Carriages. Book on to a scheduled trip or create a bespoke experience.

6. Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

Windsor & Royal Borough Museum is a family-friendly museum bursting with interesting facts and interactive displays of East Berkshire (open Tuesdays and Wednesdays only).

7. Guided tour of Windsor Guildhall

Join a guided tour of Windsor Guildhall and walk in the footsteps of royalty to learn more about the history of this Grade I listed building and its importance to Windsor’s local heritage.

8. Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor's Theatre Royal is a beautiful Edwardian theatre nestled between Windsor Castle and the River Thames. Look out for midweek matinees.

9. Watch the Guard March

This is one of the town’s top sightseeing things to do and watching the King's guard up close is unique to Windsor! The march to and from the Castle takes place in the morning on specific days of the week so make sure you check out the Guard March schedule to avoid disappointment.

10. Windsor Great Park

Access the Long Walk from Windsor’s Park Street and suddenly thousands of acres of Windsor Great Park lie before you: an ancient royal landscape of forests, grasslands, lakes and gardens just waiting to be explored!

Conquer the Long Walk, Windsor’s iconic tree-lined avenue into the Great Park. Will you make it up as far as the famous Copper Horse Statue?

11. Enjoy the tradition of Afternoon Tea

Us Brits love the combination of savoury and sweet treats, accompanied by some of the 165 million cups of tea we drink each day in the UK and there are few traditions more deliciously decadent than Afternoon Tea. Town centre hotels offering Afternoon Tea menus include The Castle Hotel Windsor, Macdonald Windsor Hotel and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel. Or perhaps reserve a table near the window of The Ivy on the Windsor's High Street and you will have a view of Windsor Castle as you spread the jam and cream on to your scones!

12. Windsor & Eton Brewery tour

On alternate Wednesdays (at 1830) you can join a Duke Street Experience Brewery tour and learn all about the history of Windsor & Eton Brewery, brewing in the town, the brewing process, including tasting of raw materials and, of course, beer tasting!

13. Shopping

With two pedestrianised shopping centres, recognised high street brands as well as a sprinkling of independent stores, shopping really is a great reason to come to Windsor and Eton town centres. There are lots of food and drink stops for refuelling too.

14. Walk the 'two bridges loop'

From Windsor town centre, head over Windsor Bridge to Eton, turn left into the common ground area known as ‘The Brocas’ (here you will enjoy some of the best views of Windsor Castle, even though it is closed) continue walking along the towpath with the river on your left until you reach the Queen Elizabeth (traffic) bridge, cross this bridge, turn left again and head back into Windsor passing Windsor Leisure Centre, the Hawker Hurricane, Alexandra Gardens and Bandstand. This loop walk will take approximately one hour, and you’ll have the river next to you all the way. There are lots of stopping points and things to see on the way.

15. Explore our top sculptures and artefacts

Read our guide to some fascinating sculptures, memorials, artefacts and works of art just waiting to be explored in and around the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. There are familiar landmarks such as the Copper Horse in Windsor, as well as hidden gems off the beaten track like Sir Antony Gormley’s Edge II sculpture in Eton.

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Royal Windsor Racecourse

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No trip to Windsor could possibly be complete without a visit to amazing Windsor Castle, the family home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years and today one of the official residences of His Majesty The King. Find out more!
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
Braywick Leisure Centre

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In beautiful parkland, on the edge of Braywick Nature Reserve, this new iconic facility opened in Summer 2020. It is much more than a traditional leisure centre. Braywick offers a diverse range of leisure, recreational, and cultural facilities, all…
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The Savill Garden

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The Savill Garden is a garden of beauty and colour where visitors journey through 35 acres of interconnecting gardens. It offers year-round interest, an iconic visitor centre with restaurant, gallery café, gift shop and plant sales.
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- Please check Visitor Updates for any provisional closures before you travel
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
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French Brothers Ltd

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French Brothers run boat trips on the River Thames from Windsor and Runnymede. Choose from a short return trip or a full-day cruise. French Brothers offer public, group and private cruises.
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
Windsor Leisure Centre

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On the banks of the River Thames, under the shadow of Windsor Castle, this prestigious facility has been serving the local community for over 35 years. More than just a leisure centre, Windsor Leisure Centre is a place where the community comes…
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For an awesome family day out this year, visit the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and experience the ultimate LEGO® adventure! Whether you are earning your very first driving licence behind the wheel of a LEGO car at the LEGO® City Driving School, riding…
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Explore the world famous town of Windsor and nearby Eton with a Golden Tours hop-on, hop-off open top bus tour.
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Windsor Great Park

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Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, huge parts of which are open to the public. Windsor Great Park is the perfect place for picnics, eating, shopping, running, walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing. Families will love the children's play…
External Links
Windsor Guard March & Changing the Guard

Windsor

The Changing of the Guard is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor. A band usually accompanies the guard march, although this is subject to weather conditions.
Adventure Play

Englefield Green, Egham

Adventure Play is a unique, hand-crafted adventure playground at Windsor Great Park. Hidden within the woodland next to The Savill Garden, you’ll discover a fascinating world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses.
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Dorney Court

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Visit Dorney Court, one of the country's finest Tudor Manor Houses. Home to the Palmer family since the 15th century, this extraordinary building offers a fascinating and unique experience all just a stone’s throw from London, Windsor and Eton.
Go Quest Adventures Windsor

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Explore the streets of Windsor's town centre and unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app.
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Theatre Royal Windsor

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The Theatre Royal Windsor is a beautiful Edwardian theatre nestling between Windsor Castle and the River Thames and is the only unsubsidised producing theatre to operate all year round in Britain.
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St George's Chapel

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Take in the splendour of St George's Chapel, the burial place of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II, Henry VIII and Charles I, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England.
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59 reviews
Eton College Natural History Museum

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Eton’s hidden gem, this family friendly museum is Berkshire’s only dedicated natural history museum. It houses over 16,000 specimens in atmospheric Edwardian surroundings and has something for all the family.
Windsor & Maidenhead Boat Company

Maidenhead

Welcome to the Windsor & Maidenhead Boat Company, where we are dedicated to crafting memorable experiences for visitors to the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. Our flagship vessel, the Georgian, transcends the traditional concept of a boat,…
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17 reviews
The Boat Hire Company

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The Boat Hire Company provide luxury, skippered boat hire and boat tours between Windsor and Maidenhead; accommodating 2 to 12 passengers. Our vintage river boats can be hired by the hour or for a full day and are a great way to see some of the…
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121 reviews
Windsor Carriages

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For over 170 years, Windsor Carriages has been a cherished symbol of Windsor’s heritage, offering Victorian-style horse-drawn transport on The Long Walk with the majestic Windsor Castle as its backdrop. Today, we honor this storied past by crafting…