From castle tours and cosy pub visits, to escape rooms and afternoon tea, there are plenty of things to do in Windsor in the rain.
Rainy day in Windsor? No problem — there’s still plenty to do!
While Windsor has lots of beautiful outdoor spots, there are lots of places to enjoy even when the weather isn’t on your side. You might see the forecast and think it’s not worth visiting, but don’t be put off. Pack an umbrella or a rain jacket, and explore the indoor options in the town.
Obviously, the most popular attraction is the castle. Windsor Castle is a great place to visit, even when it’s raining. The majority of the areas you can see are indoors, such as the state apartments and St George’s Chapel.
Windsor has a great shopping scene, with a mix of independent and chain stores. You’ll find everything from high end clothes to souvenirs.
Or, for a quirkier activity, how about trying out an escape room? There are two in the town!
So, if you’re still sold on visiting the town, here are some of the best rainy day activities in Windsor.
9 Amazing Things to do in Windsor in the rain
Visit Windsor Castle
Even if it’s wet outside, most areas of the castle that are open to visitors are indoors. This includes the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.
If you want to see a bit more action, visit by 11am on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday and you’ll get to see the changing of the guard ceremony. The new guards set off from Victoria Barracks in Windsor and make their way along Windsor High Street to the castle. Once there, they perform a ceremony to change over from the previous guards.
For more information about the castle, you could book a guided tour or pick up an audio guide.
Learn about the town at the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum
Head to the beautiful Guildhall in the centre of town and you’ll discover a fascinating museum dedicated to Windsor. Windsor & Royal Borough Museum houses an interesting collection all about the town. You’ll be able to learn more about the town’s royal connections, local history and famous residents. Some of the most interesting items on display include a 100,000 year old Mammoth tusk to a model of a Hawker Hurricane (designed by Windsor-born Sir Sydney Camm).
It’s worth checking the opening times on the website. When I last looked, it was open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am-4pm. It’s free to enter too, so a great option if you have some free time in Windsor and want to stay out of the rain!
Book an escape room
Have you ever tried an escape room? They’re great places to shelter from bad weather and have some fun with friends or family.
There are actually two escape room locations in Windsor. You can book in with a team from 2 players to 6 or 8 players. While some of them are a little on the scary side (Cannibal Cabin, we’re thinking of you!!) many of them are great for kids.
Escape in 60 is located inside Windsor Leisure Centre and currently has three rooms, including a royal-themed room called Escape The Castle!
Meanwhile, tucked away under the arches by Windsor Royal Station is Escape Windsor. There are five different rooms here, including the Crown Jewels Heist!
Enjoy one of Windsor’s cosy cafes
One of the things we love most about living in Windsor is the café culture. There are several lovely spots to choose from, and they’re great places to hide away from the rain. Some are great brunch spots, while others serve up delicious sweet treats.
A few of our favourites include:
- Cinnamon Café – Don’t miss the delicious cinnamon buns.
- Cup of Rosie – A very cute café tucked away off the High Street.
- ArteFood Café – An Italian café serving delicious Italian delicacies.
We’ve popped together a guide to the best cafes in Windsor, so you’ll be able to pick your favourite.
Stay dry in one of Windsor’s traditional pubs
Meanwhile, if a coffee doesn’t quite cut it, how about hiding from the rain in one of Windsor’s charming pubs. Order a pint and some traditional British grub, and enjoy a cosy experience as the raindrops trickle down the windows!
Here are a few of our favourite pubs in Windsor town centre:
The Horse and Groom – A charming and characterful pub dating back to 1719. It’s right opposite the castle too, so you’ll have lovely views from upstairs.
The Two Brewers – Moments from the Long Walk and Windsor Castle, this historic building dates back to 1709. It’s got that old-world charm, and is a lovely cosy spot for a quiet drink.
Duke of Connaught – A cute local pub on Arthur Road. This one has an Indian street food menu too, to make a change from usual British classics.
Or for something a little different, how about a brewery trip? For a small town, Windsor is lucky enough to boast two great breweries in the arches near the river. We’ve loved our drinking sessions at both Two Flints and Windsor and Eton Brewery. Where better to spend a wet afternoon, than trying some of the local ales?
Go for afternoon tea in Windsor
Lots of people visit Windsor looking for a luxury experience. It’s a gorgeous town (I mean, we’re biased as live here!) and it has some great places to eat and drink. For a really special way to shelter from the pouring rain, we’d recommend booking afternoon tea at one of these spots.
The Castle Hotel – Leaf, this hotel’s restaurant, serves a royal themed afternoon tea. You’ll see lots of classic dishes on the stand, including smoked salmon sandwiches and freshly baked scones with jam and cream. You can select from a range of teas, or upgrade to a glass of bubbly. There’s even a special afternoon tea menu for children.
Sir Christopher Wren Hotel – This smart hotel offers a luxurious afternoon tea with riverside views. You’ll see lots of classic dishes on the menu, but there are also options to upgrade to include champagne or Pimm’s (perfect for summer!)
The Ivy Brasserie – This upmarket chain restaurant serves afternoon tea from 3-5pm each day. The menu sounds delicious, and includes a smoked salmon and cream cheese choux bun, fruit scone and chocolate truffles with a liquid salted caramel centre. Yum!
Mooch around the shops
We think one of Windsor’s biggest selling points is its thriving high street. While many towns are losing physical shops, Windsor’s retail options are many and varied! We love that you can pick up beautiful Moroccan furniture at Ryad Momo, fun gifts and cards at Huttons, clothes at popular chains like Oliver Bonas, Jigsaw and Marks & Spencer. One of the prettiest shopping areas is inside Windsor Royal Station. The old station has been converted into its own shopping arcade!
One of our favourite shops in Windsor? Daniel, the department store in the heart of Peascod Street. Sadly, it’s pretty rare to see a department store survive on Britain’s high streets, but this one is amazing and a real staple of the community. If you have kids, I’d recommend heading to the first floor where you’ll find an incredible toy section. Our little boy loves it there!
Feast in one of Windsor’s restaurants
I’ve mentioned cafes, pubs and afternoon tea options, but now it’s time to turn our attention to restaurants. Thanks to the world tourists visiting each year, you’ll find lots of cuisines on offer in Windsor. There’s Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, French, Moroccan, Thai, Chinese, Georgian, Indonesian… the list goes on! While there are plenty of recognisable high street chains (Browns, The Real Greek, Pizza Express to name a few), we prefer to champion our hometown’s independent restaurants.
To be honest, we’ve tried many of Windsor’s restaurants now, and there aren’t many we wouldn’t go back to! Here are a few of our current favourites:
Non Café & Kitchen – This pretty restaurant on St Leonard’s Road serves authentic and delicious Vietnamese dishes. You’ll find warming bowls of pho (perfect for a rainy day in Windsor), colourful vermicelli salads and aromatic fish. Finish your meal with a traditional Vietnamese coffee. The condensed milk is a wonderful addition!
Enzo’s – This traditional Italian restaurant serves amazing wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta dishes and a few main course meat and fish dishes. It’s cosy inside, so we think it’s great for a rainy day in Windsor. There’s also a charm to the service here, which makes it ideal for a family meal or date night!
Misugo – If you’re craving sushi, we think this is one of the best places. Their bento box lunch menu is excellent value too. There are plenty of hot dishes too, including ramen, katsu curry and teriyaki.
Relax with a spa day
If you’re still looking for ways to enjoy Windsor on a rainy day, how about treating yourself to a spa day? There are a few places within the town centre and just outside, that offer luxurious pampering experiences.
Thy Spa is a Thai spa tucked away on Victoria Street in the centre of Windsor. We haven’t had the chance to experience a massage here yet, but the entrance always looks so inviting! There are lots of massages to choose from, including traditional Thai massage, hot compress massage and a relaxing jade stone massage.
If you have a car, take a look at the Fairmont Windsor Great Park or The Runnymede on Thames. Both have great spa facilities and offer a range of treatments.
I hope these ideas help you stay warm and dry if you’re visiting Windsor on a rainy day. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at these posts: