Home to Britain’s shortest street and the birth of the modern-day marathon, these fun facts about Windsor will amaze you!
I am genuinely grateful to call Windsor my home. Whenever I am strolling along the Long Walk with Windsor Castle in the background, I still get that giddy moment and say to myself: “I can’t believe I actually live here”. With its cobblestone streets and wonky pubs, it really is like living in a fairytale. There’s even been a fair few princesses living here over the years too.
One of the reasons Chloe and I wanted to move to Windsor was the history. You can read all about the history of Windsor Castle here, but Windsor has a long and storied past.
Everyone thinks that the town is as old as the castle which dates back nearly 1,000 years, but it is a lot older than that. Windsor first dates back to the 7th century, and it was in royal ownership from the 9th century onwards.
Whether you’re a tourist visiting Windsor for the day, or you’re a local looking to learn more about the place you live, then these are 17 fun facts all about Windsor. Hopefully you’ll learn something new about this magical place!
1. Windsor is a Royal Borough
Windsor is part of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, one of four boroughs in the UK with “Royal” status. The other three are all in London (Kingston-upon-Thames, Kensington and Chelsea, and Greenwich), so Windsor gets extra props for being the only borough with royal status outside of London. Windsor was granted royal status in 1974.
2. The iconic Windsor Great Park is massive
Windsor Great Park is massive. Like, really really massive. Let’s break it down.
So Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres. Meaningless so far. However, 4,800 acres is 7.5 square miles or 19.4 square kilometres. To put that into perspective, Windsor Great Park is bigger than the entire town of Windsor itself, which is roughly 5 square miles (13 km²). And for those who love a footy reference, it’s roughly the size of 4,800 football pitches.
So, Windsor Great Park isn’t just a “big park”, it’s more like a small town in its own right!
3. The long walk is long
The Long Walk is a stunning 2.65-mile (4.3 km) tree-lined avenue that stretches from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue of King George III in Windsor Great Park. It’s one of the most iconic views in England, offering a majestic perspective of the castle.
Originally designed in the 17th century by Charles II, the Long Walk was intended as a grand approach to the royal residence, and it remains a popular spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy a picturesque stroll with views of the castle and surrounding parkland.
4. Windsor Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world
Windsor Castle is nearly 1,000 years old! It was founded by William the Conqueror in 1070, making it the oldest and largest continuously inhabited castle in the world.
Over the centuries, it has been home to 40 monarchs, evolving from a medieval fortress into the grand royal residence it is today. I find it baffling that kings and queens have slept in the same four walls for nearly 1,000 years. If those walls could talk!
5. Windsor is home to the shortest street in Britain
Queen Charlotte Street in Windsor is officially the shortest street in Britain, measuring just 51 feet (15.5 meters) from end to end. If you’re a tourist in town, you’ve definitely got to add this to your Windsor bucket list!
6. Windsor has been the background of lots of films and TV
Windsor has featured in multiple films and TV series, including The Crown and Bridgerton. Its picturesque streets and historic buildings make it a favourite for period dramas. As I said, with its cobblestone streets and wonky buildings, it’s very easy to see why!
7. A world-famous college
Just across the River Thames from Windsor is Eton College, the elite school that has educated 20 British Prime Ministers, including Boris Johnson and David Cameron. A few other famous people that have schooled here are Prince William and Harry (obviously), the author George Orwell, and the actors Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston and Damian Lewis.
8. The birth of the modern-day marathon
As a runner, this is absolutely one of my favourite facts about Windsor. Everyone knows the marathon was inspired by the ancient Greek legend named Pheidippides, who ran about 25 miles from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce victory over the Persians before collapsing and dying.
In fact, 25 miles was the original race distance at the first modern Olympics in 1896. So where did the extra 1.2 miles come from? In the 1908 London Olympics, the marathon course was originally set at 26 miles, running from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium in London.
However, an extra 0.2 miles were added so that the royal family could watch the start from the windows of Windsor Castle. This new 26.2-mile distance became standard and was officially adopted for all future marathons in 1921.
So, in short, you can thank Windsor Castle and the British royal family for the marathon’s extra 0.2 miles!
9. The Historic Theatre Royal
This Grade II listed theatre has been entertaining audiences since 1910 and is one of the few unsubsidised theatres in the UK, making it a true hidden gem.
10. A record-breaking ice cream shop
Windsor is home to one of England’s oldest ice cream shops – The Limes in Eton – which has been serving visitors for over 100 years.
11. A town of two train stations
Despite its small size, Windsor has two railway stations: Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside, making it incredibly easy to reach from London.
12. A royal waiting room
Windsor & Eton Central Station once had a private waiting room for Queen Victoria, and today, it’s home to shops and restaurants, with a stunning replica of a royal train.
13. Windsor is pretty popular with tourists
As I’m sure you can imagine, Windsor is a very popular place to visit. In 2022, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead reported approximately 12.73 million visitors. Of these, 1.4 million people visited Windsor Castle.
14. Where does the name Windsor come from?
The name “Windsor” is believed to come from Old English, specifically the term “windles-ore,” which roughly translates to “winch by the riverside” or “bend of the river.” This is thought to refer to the town’s location on the River Thames, where the river bends around the town.
15. The wonkiest building in Windsor
The Market Cross House, one of the town’s most photographed buildings after the Castle, is a charming 18th-century timber-framed structure known for its distinctive wonky lean.
Originally a butcher’s shop and later a beer shop, it now operates as The Shambles Bar – an amazing spot for a glass of wine.
16. The Windsor knot
A fun fact about the Windsor knot is that it was popularized by Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor, in the 1930s. He was known for his impeccable style and often wore the knot with his signature wide collars. The knot became so associated with him that it was named after Windsor, and it remains one of the most iconic and sophisticated ways to tie a tie today. I have to admit that I am a big fan of the Windsor knot!
17. Ascot Racecourse is just down the road
Ascot, located just 6 miles (10 km) from Windsor, is renowned for its famous Ascot Racecourse, which has been hosting the prestigious Royal Ascot horse racing event since 1711. The event is closely linked to the British royal family, with the Queen and other members of the royal family attending annually, often arriving in horse-drawn carriages.
So there you go! I told you Windsor was fascinating with a long and storied history. Hopefully the next time you’re walking around the town, it will give you a new appreciation of the place.
As ever, let me know if you have any questions about Windsor below!