Explore the castle, enjoy a great lunch, stroll through the prettiest streets and visit Eton – here’s how to spend one day in Windsor.
If you’re planning a day trip to Windsor, you’ll want to see all the highlights in a short space of time. As a local, I know how much there is to see in this town! It’s part of the reason we moved here. We love our daily strolls along the River Thames, seeing Windsor Castle come into view. It’s been amazing to delve into the food scene, finding delicious spots all over the town.
Windsor is a town that’s made for day trips! It’s compact, easy to navigate and accessible by public transport.
Rather than give you lots of options, I’ve popped together what I think is an ideal itinerary for your first Windsor day trip. It ticks off all the highlights but leaves a bit of room to breathe, too!
How To Spend One Day In Windsor
09:30am – Arrive in Windsor
Windsor is easy to reach from London and surrounding areas. There are two train stations in the town, several bus routes and lots of parking options. If you’re travelling from London to Windsor, we have this great guide about how to get here.
10:00am – Visit Windsor Castle
Start your day at Windsor Castle. The castle has been a major royal residence since the days of Henry I, making it the oldest occupied royal castle in the world. What’s more it’s also the largest occupied castle in history, often described as a town rather than simply a royal residence, as the huge grounds of Windsor Castle cover a massive 13 acres (52,609 square metres).
I’d suggest spending 2-3 hours at the castle at a leisurely pace. There’s lots to see, including The State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and artefacts such as Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.
You might also want to stop for a cup of tea and a slice of cake at The Undercroft – the café beneath St George’s Hall, which dates back to the 14th century.
I’d always recommend you pre-book your tickets. Not only is it cheaper, but it’ll save you queuing so long on the day.
If you visit on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday you might be lucky enough to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11am. While some of this can be seen from outside the castle (as the guards march down the High Street), you’ll get to see the actual handover within the castle walls.
12:30pm – Lunch in Windsor
Windsor has an array of amazing cafes and restaurants to choose from. Name a cuisine and you’ll find it in town. That includes Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, French, Moroccan, Indian and more!
If you’re looking for a characterful spot, check out The Shambles Bar, which is located in the Crooked House next to Windsor Guildhall. The menu is small, but it’s a lovely place to enjoy a sandwich or a platter of cheese with a glass of wine. It’s an ideal people watching spot too!
For a tasty Asian lunch, we love Non Café and Kitchen, which is located down the far end of St. Leonard’s Road. The Vietnamese salads and soups are packed full of flavour.
Or, if you fancy a casual café lunch, check out our guide to the best cafes in Windsor.
1:30pm – Cross the Bridge to Eton
After lunch, take a stroll along the River Thames and enjoy the beautiful views. Then, head over the bridge to Eton. It’s Windsor’s quieter, quainter neighbour!
There’s one main street running through it, filled with lots of lovely independent boutiques, pubs and cafes. We always bring friends and family here. It’s got so much charm.
Continue along the High Street and you’ll reach the historic buildings that make up Eton College. This prestigious independent school was established in 1440 by King Henry VI as “The King’s College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor”. It’s played a huge part in Britain’s history too, educating 20 Prime Ministers.
2:30pm – Enjoy Windsor’s shops
While many of England’s high streets are struggling, with endless empty shops and ‘closing down’ sales, Windsor’s shopping scene is thriving. Peascod Street is the main shopping street where you’ll find familiar names like Marks & Spencer, Superdry, River Island and Boots. For a more unique experience, browse the stores inside Windsor Royal Station area. While you’ll find plenty of familiar brands, there’s a really upmarket feel here.
There are a few independent stores in Windsor that I adore. Daniel is a department store (a rare breed these days!) which sells everything from homewares to clothing and kids toys. It’s easy to lose an hour browsing all the lovely items.
Huttons sells colourful gifts and clothes, Ryad Momo sells beautiful Moroccan furniture and interiors and House Windsor is a treasure trove of gifts and homewares. Shop rents are pricey in Windsor, so it’s becoming harder for independent stores to survive. Try to support them if you can!
3:30 – Stop for tea and cake
No doubt, you’ll be ready for a little rest and a refuel by this point in the day. If there’s one thing we’re not short on, its cafes! We have so many favourite spots. Head along St. Leonards Road to Millar’s or Harpers for great coffee, tasty cakes and chilled environments.
Alternatively, Cinnamon Café in Windsor Royal Station has some of the best cinnamon rolls we’ve ever tasted. Or, head towards the river and you’ll discover ArteFood, an Italian café serving delicious cannolis and tiramisu. As mentioned, we have a guide to the best cafes in Windsor, so have a read and see where takes your fancy.
4:30pm – Stroll along The Long Walk
Re-energised, it’s time to take a stroll along The Long Walk. Created by King Charles II in 1682-85, the spectacular tree-lined avenue stretches almost 2.5 miles from the gates of Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue depicting King George III. Towards the upper end you’ll be in the Deer Park, so keep your eyes peeled.
Walking this route is tiring! Many people just walk from the castle gates to the main road that cuts through the middle, and then back again. The full walk definitely requires a lot of energy, so see how you feel and how much time you have!
It’s worth noting that there aren’t facilities along the way. The Two Brewers is right by the castle gates, and The Windsor Castle is a good pitstop along the route.
6:00pm – Enjoy a pre-dinner drink
After all that exercise, you’ve earned a drink! There are plenty of lovely spots in Windsor where you can enjoy a glass of wine, a cold beer or a cocktail.
Here are a few recommendations:
- Stop by La Planchette, a small independent wine bar tucked away in a courtyard near the river. It’s a romantic spot with a great menu of cheeses too!
- Go for a cocktail at The Cobbles, a charming and sophisticated cocktail bar, moments from Windsor Castle.
- Visit one of Windsor’s breweries. There are three in total, and they’re all tucked away in a cool spot under the railway arches. You could even have a little brewery crawl, with drinks Two Flints, Indie Rabble and Windsor and Eton Brewery!
- Enjoy a drink right by the river at The Boatman, Windsor’s only pub on the river.
- Have a theatrical cocktail experience at Incognito on Windsor High Street.
7:00pm – Go for dinner in Windsor
It’s time to round off your Windsor day trip in style. Before you head off on the train or hop in the car home, there’s just time for one more meal. As with the lunch options, there are so many amazing places to eat in town, you’re spoiled for choice. With the nighttime ambience adding a bit of extra magic, here’s where we’d suggest for dinner:
- Deliciously fresh and authentic Italian food at Enzo’s or Sebastian’s Italian.
- Romantic fine-dining at A La Russe, Windsor’s only French restaurant.
- Fresh sushi and Japanese delights at Ichiban or Misugo.
- Smart steak restaurant, Meat at the Parish.
- Authentic and characterful Moroccan restaurant, Al Fassia.
Make sure you book ahead if you’re visiting on a weekend. Windsor’s dining scene can get busy, especially in the peak summer period.
8:30 – Finish your day trip to Windsor
It’s time to start your journey home after an amazing day out in Windsor. If you’ve followed this one day itinerary, no doubt you’ve had a brilliant day in the town. We think it’s somewhere that offers something for everyone – history lovers, shopaholics and foodies alike.
While one day is enough to see the highlights (especially as the town is so compact) there’s plenty more to see that’s not included in this guide. You could easily return and do a whole different day, or extend your trip with outings in Windsor Great Park or a trip to Legoland.
Looking for more tips for visiting Windsor? Check out these guides:
- 13 Things To Know Before Your First Visit To Windsor
- Spending One Day In Windsor: The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary
- How To Travel From London To Windsor
- When Is The Best Time To Visit Windsor?
- 17 Fun Facts About Windsor, England
- 20 Amazing Things To Do In Windsor In Summer
- 9 Best Things To Do In Windsor In The Rain