Travel Trade Guide

Download VisitWindsor’s Travel Trade Guide to Windsor and beyond, where you’ll find details of things to do, activities and experiences beyond Windsor Castle, plus places to stay and food and drink venues.

Whether you’re looking for ideas for groups or independent travellers, we’ve devised a range of themed itineraries to help you create inspiring tours.  We think you’ll find there’s more than enough to keep your customers entertained for at least a couple of days.

Windsor for all

The Royal Borough is delighted to be at the forefront of developing its tourism product to be as accessible as possible to visitors with access requirements.

VisitWindsor has worked with AccessAble to produce Destination Access Guides for Windsor, Eton, Ascot and Maidenhead providing detailed factual information on various shops, hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

We are delighted to have become the destination of choice for Parallel Windsor - a Festival of Inclusivity with Challenge Events for all ages, health conditions and abilities. Held in the grounds of Windsor Great Park and staged on the Long Walk each year.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Sustainable visits to the Windsor area

Our vision is to be a borough where the community collectively works together to achieve a sustainable future; by protecting and enhancing our natural environment and achieving rapid decarbonisation to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest.

Sustainability doesn’t have to mean that your tours sacrifice glamour for convenience or prestige for practicality. Individual businesses are adapting how they do things to become more sustainable . Read more in our Travel Trade Guide.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

What’s on for groups in the Windsor area

Windsor and the Royal Borough’s superb events programme features one-off events as well as major, world-class events that take place every year meaning there’s plenty of ideas and inspiration for groups of all ages and interests!

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Festive season for groups in the Windsor area

There’s always a fabulous line-up of festive events in the Royal Borough which your group will love.  Events include Christmas lights switch-ons, Christmas fairs and festive markets. Allow time for shopping for unique gifts and gorgeous decorations. Experience Windsor Castle decked with twinkling lights, garlands and shimmering Christmas trees. Discover the dazzling lights, projections and floodlit fountain shows of Windsor Great Park Illuminated.  Book a Christmas lunch, dinner or even a party!

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Explore the Royal Borough for group visits

Explore more by getting out into our pretty towns and villages.  Enjoy a day’s racing at Ascot.  Appreciate the art of Stanley Spencer in Cookham.  Fall in love with top foodie spots in Bray. Tour the famous public school in Eton. Discover history and heritage and a spitfire simulator in Maidenhead!

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Royal Windsor for groups

There is no escaping the strong connection between the royal family and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.  Windsor Castle is an official residence of King Charles.  King Charles and Queen Camilla had their wedding at Windsor Guildhall in 2005. The royal family attend every day of Royal Ascot. Windsor Farm Shop stocks products from the royal estates and Windsor Farms. Princes William and Harry were educated at Eton College. The guard march is one of Windsor’s most unique and popular sightseeing activities! Watch out for key annual events: Royal Windsor Horse Show takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, and Royal Windsor Flower Show takes place in Windsor Great Park with The King as patron and Alan Titchmarsh as honorary president!

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Windsor Castle for groups

The gem in the Royal Borough’s crown, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and a must-see for any visitors coming to Windsor!  Wonder at the State Apartments, explore St George’s Chapel, discover Queen Marys’ Dolls’ House then take the weight off your feet and enjoy refreshments in the Castle’s historic Undercroft Café.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Royalty, horses and racing: inspiration for group visits

Queen Elizabeth II had a lifelong passion for horses and she rode regularly in the private grounds of Windsor Castle.  Today, many members of the royal family continue to enjoy racing, polo, three-day eventing and carriage driving.

It follows then that equestrian events and activities are very popular in the Windsor area.  Watch polo at Guards Club; get dressed up for racing at Ascot; enjoy a flutter at one of Royal Windsor Racecourse’s evening meetings; discover horse-drawn carriage rides in Windsor Great Park; or spend a fun-filled day at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Ascot Racecourse for groups

Ascot Racecourse is a venue steeped in history, where every detail is crafted to enhance your enjoyment and makes for the perfect location to plan an unforgettable day out.

Ascot’s year-round calendar of events offers a multitude of unique experiences for whatever your taste. With discounted group rates, free coach parking* plus free driver entry* on Ascot Racedays and an abundance of private spaces available, a day out at Ascot presents itself as the ultimate group outing.

*excludes Royal Ascot

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Countryside, parks and gardens in the Windsor area for groups

The phrase ‘England’s green and pleasant land’ could have been written for the beautiful countryside surrounding the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. Explore Windsor Great Park’s historic parkland, ancient woodlands and award-winning gardens. Walk the Thames Path National Trail as it meanders through the Royal Borough from Runnymede to Hurley.  Enjoy the seasonal displays in our parks and gardens too!

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

The Savill Garden for groups

Of particular note is The Savill Garden, a natural haven of 35 acres and recognised as one of the finest woodland gardens in the country.  A visit connects you with decades of royal history – from the original weeping willow tree, to the magnificent Rose Garden opened by Queen Elizabeth II in July 2010. Enjoy a guided garden tour.  Or why not explore the wider Great Park on an exclusive escorted coach tour and take in famous sights such as the Long Walk and Copper Horse? You could also package The Savill Gardens with a French Brothers boat trip on the Thames.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Windsor hidden gems inspiration for groups

Even if you know the Windsor area well, there are some hidden gems you can easily find, just over the bridge into neighbouring Eton or a little off the beaten track around the Royal Borough’s other major town, Maidenhead.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Culture inspiration for group visits to the Windsor area

There is plenty of choice for culture vultures in the Royal Borough. There are permanent performance venues and museums open year round, plus regular annual festivals – Windsor Festival, Windsor Fringe, Cliveden Literary Festival – that pop up every autumn.  Check out what’s on at Windsor’s fabulous Theatre Royal or Old Court Artspace; or discover live entertainment at Maidenhead’s Norden Farm Centre for the Arts too.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Windsor area film and TV locations: inspiration for group visits

You loved the film so now why not visit one of the Royal Borough locations used in the movie?

It is no surprise that this area is frequently used by filmmakers given its proximity to London and with Pinewood and Shepperton Studios just 20 minutes away. Bray is the home of Bray Film Studios, made famous in the 1950s and 1960s by the Hammer House of Horror Productions including Dracula. In 1979 it was where Alien was made.

Tick off lots of film and tv locations on a driving tour of the area, stopping off at the attractions on the way, including Dorney Court.             

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Food and Drink options for group visits to the Windsor area

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is full of exciting places to eat and drink. From Michelin star restaurants such as The Hind’s Head in Bray to independent eateries such as Gilbey’s in Eton.  Discover a local success story on a tour of Windsor & Eton Brewery.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Luxury and Unique experiences for groups in the Windsor area

Combine a stay in an elegant hotel with superb shopping, fine dining, excellent evening entertainment and a selection of luxury or unique experiences around the Royal Borough.  Your group could learn to play polo, cook up a storm at a fine dining cookery masterclass or enjoy an out-of-hours private tour of Windsor Castle.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

River Thames and boating inspiration for groups coming to the Windsor area

Messing about on the River Thames is a wonderfully relaxing way to enjoy the Royal Borough from a different perspective, and can be an excellent complement to a packed itinerary. Choose to let your own captain steer though the picturesque riverside sights and scenery, or skipper your own boat and go as you please.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Windsor evening entertainment inspiration for groups

When the day trippers have gone home and most of the attractions have typically closed for the night, there is still much to entertain visitors staying later and longer.  Drop by some of Windsor’s cool cocktail bars such as Incognito and The Cobbles.  Book up for some fabulous evening entertainment at our beautiful theatre and our thriving arts centres.  Or enjoy the excitement and exhilaration of finding clues and solving puzzles in one of our escape rooms!

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Free things to do in the Windsor area for groups

Visiting on a budget is not a problem in the Royal Borough with plenty of ways to explore and enjoy the area for nothing. Walking tours and trails are a great use of free time and explain much of the area’s history. Then there’s watching the guards march and free museums to see too!

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

Tours and more: book a local Windsor area guide for your group visit

Book a local guide to discover hidden stories: tours can be tailor-made according to client tastes, for example walking tours, visits to museums and galleries including Windsor Castle and escorted coach tours. Alternatively book your clients on an organised local tour. All the guides listed in the Travel Trade Guide are Blue Badge Guides who are trained under the auspices of The Institute of Tourist Guiding.

Find out more in the VisitWindsor Travel Trade Guide.

In the Travel Trade Guide, we’ve devised some themed itinerary ideas so you don’t have to!  There’s inspiration outside the obvious so you can put together a tailored tour or mix and match places to surprise and delight your visitors!  We’ve got hidden gems, culture breaks, film and tv locations and some ingenious foodie delights too.

Turn your trip into a memorable visit – we’ve listed some options for unique experiences and luxury accommodation.

Download the Travel Trade Guide today and to join our mailing list for regular news and product updates please sign up here.