From exploring the castle and enjoying Eton’s charm, to getting out on the water or enjoying one of the town’s events or festivals, these are the best things to do in Windsor in the summer.
Windsor really comes to life in the summer months. River activity increases and long sunshine-filled days make our beautiful green spaces extra special. To be honest, I just want to spend all my time outdoors! It’s my favourite time of year in Windsor.
The summer months is always packed full of fun activities too. From live music, horse racing and festivals, to kayaking, paddleboarding and boating, there’s so much to do. If you’re planning a visit, my guide to summer in Windsor has everything you need to know!
Things To Do In Windsor In Summer
Visit Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a beautiful place to visit all year round, but there’s something extra special about seeing it when the skies are blue and all the flowers are in bloom. As well as the stunning grounds, you can also visit the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.
If you want to see a bit more action, arrive by 11am on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday and you’ll get to see the changing of the guard ceremony. The town really comes to life on these mornings! The new guards set off from Victoria Barracks 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, we recommend booking a guided tour or picking up an audio guide.
Tour Eton College
Cross over the river from Windsor to Eton and you’ll be amongst the historic buildings of Eton College. Established in 1440 by King Henry VI as “The King’s College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor”. It has a fascinating past. It’s played a huge part in our country’s history too, educating 20 British Prime Ministers.
One of the best ways to hear tales of one of Britain’s most famous and prestigious schools is to book a heritage tour. These usually run on Friday afternoons from the start of May to mid-September.
On the tour you’ll get to see the School Yard, College Chapel, Upper School, Lower School, and the Museum of Eton Life. It’s a great way to get a glimpse into this impressive school and what life is like for the boys who attend today.
Explore Windsor Great Park
The summer is an amazing time to get out and about in Windsor’s green spaces. And where could be better than Windsor Great Park? It’s vast, covering over 4,800 acres. While it has a history of being a royal hunting ground, these days it’s the perfect spot for a summer stroll, a dog walk or a place to spot wildlife.
Obviously, you won’t be able to see it all, but here are a few of my favourite areas:
- Take a stroll along The Long Walk with its tree-lined avenue stretching 2.64 miles (4.25 km) from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue of King George III. Photo spots don’t get much better than this one!
- Visit the Deer Park and see some of the 500 strong red deer. Rumour has it they are direct descendants of deer kept there by Henry VIII!
- Wander the beautiful 2-mile-long lake at Virginia Water. If you’re into horticulture, you’ll see lots of beautiful summer flowers here too.
- Book tickets to visit The Savill Garden. I’ll share more on this below as it’s worthy of its own mention!
- Kids will love Adventure Play – the huge woodland playground within Windsor Great Park, which features treehouses, climbing frames, slides, walkways and activities. More on that coming up too!
Visit The Savill Garden
I can’t decide whether I prefer the spring blossom, the summer blooms or the autumn reds and oranges best at The Savill Garden. But, regardless of my favourite time, it’s an amazing place to visit in the summer months. The gardens were created in 1932 by Sir Eric Savill, under the patronage of King George V. It’s considered part of The Crown Estate and sits next to Virginia Water within Windsor Great Park.
The summer months are particularly special as it’s when the roses are in full bloom and the gardens are filled with colourful herbaceous borders. You’ll also get to see lots of amazing plants from around the world, so if you’re a keen horticulturalist, it’s a brilliant place to visit!
Take your kids to Adventure Play
Are you looking for activities to do with kids in Windsor in summer? Well, book a slot at Adventure Play in Windsor Great Park and they won’t be disappointed! This brilliant adventure playground opened a few years ago and has been a huge hit with families.
It’s got a woodland theme, taking inspiration from its beautiful surroundings within the parkland. There are nods to the area too, with castles built from wood, as well as amazing treehouses, slides, bridges, ropes and climbing apparatus. Tickets are on the pricey side, and you’ll need to pay for any adults attending with the kids, but under 2s are free. Once in, you’ll get access to the playground for two hours. To extend the experience, you could take a picnic and enjoy the surroundings after your slot.
Visit Legoland Windsor Resort
Legoland offers a fun experience for families visiting Windsor all year round, but we particularly love the long warm days in the sunshine! Aimed at young families with kids aged 2-12 years old, there are incredible LEGO displays, live performances, rides, shows and more.
Honestly, it’s absolutely brilliant! The park boasts more than 55 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters, water rides, 4D cinema experiences, and building zones where you and your kids can build together.
You’ve probably seen pictures of Miniland before. This is the area where talented LEGO builders have recreated some of the most famous sights in Britain and around the world. The scale of it all is incredible.
If you want to extend your trip, you could even book to stay at one of the LEGO themed hotels on site!
Spend the afternoon in one of Windsor’s pub gardens
One of our favourite things about Windsor in summer, is whiling away several hours in one of the town’s pub gardens. There are lots we love, including several breweries. Here are a few top picks:
- The Boatman for drinks right by the river.
- The Vansittart Arms for a large beer garden with a lovely neighbourhood feel.
- The Royal Windsor for perfect castle views from the pub garden.
- The Windsor Trooper for a relaxed pub experience away from the tourists.
- Two Flints Brewery for locally-produced beers in the sunshine.
Get out on the water in Windsor
With a picturesque stretch of the River Thames running through Windsor, there are lots of opportunities to get out on the water. Hop on board a French Brothers Cruise and enjoy a 40-minute cruise along the river, with a commentary about the sights. They run every day throughout the summer months, with the first sail at 10am.
Windsor Duck Tours are popular with families. The amphibious vehicle takes you on a tour of Windsor by road and river, so you get to see all the sights in town! There’s a commentary throughout too.
If you’d prefer to take the lead, how about hiring a motorboat or rowing boat to explore the river? John Logie Boat Hire is located right by the promenade from April to October. It’s a dog friendly activity too – your pooch can enjoy those river views too!
Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, how about canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding on the River Thames? Canoe & Kayak Adventures offer a range of activities, including hire, courses and guided tours.
Horse events in Windsor
Whether you’re interested in horse shows or horse racing, there’s a lot going on in the town in the summer months.
Royal Windsor Horse Show takes place in May within the grounds of Windsor Castle. As well as top-class equestrian, there’s live entertainment, food and drink and shopping.
Just a short drive from Windsor is Royal Ascot, which always draws big crowds in June. While the focus is on the horse racing, many visit to enjoy the fashion, fine dining, and pageantry!
Windsor Racecourse hosts lots of summer events. Alongside the horse racing, you’ll see big name music acts, DJs, themed nights (ABBA anyone?!) and lots of great food and drink.
Enjoy An Ice Cream In Windsor
With a buzzing tourist trade, there is no shortage of gelato shops and ice cream parlours. I’ve tried quite a few now, and always enjoy the options at Ice Queen (opposite the castle) and retro-feel Fotescue’s (gelato shop with a lot of flavours).
Parallel Windsor
Another highlight of Windsor’s summer calendar is Parallel – a festival of inclusivity involving several challenges for all ages, health conditions and abilities. Events range from 100m to 10km.
There’s no cut off time for any of them… just the motto ‘Start Together, Finish Whenever’. The festival has the perfect backdrop of Windsor Castle, taking place on The Long Walk within Windsor Great Park.
Windsor & Eton Pride
July 2025 sees the very first Windsor Pride! One of the highlights will be the parade along The Long Walk. Yes, organisers have gained approval from The Crown Estate for this exciting festival!
The celebration of inclusion and diversity, specifically targets LGBTQ+ communities, as well as people with disabilities, different ethnicities, and genders. It’s being touted as a “festival of inclusion” designed to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
After the parade, the festivities will continue in Alexandra Gardens, where there will be live music, performances, food, drink and more entertainment.
Rock The Rec Music Festival
If you’re looking for a fun family festival in Windsor this summer, look no further! Rock The Rec takes place in the Pirate Park in August and features an amazing line up of tribute acts. From Taylor Swift and McFly, to The Arctic Monkeys, you’ll be belting out your favourite hits!
Alongside the live music, there’s also kids entertainment, face painting, bouncy castle and lots of food and drink stalls.
I hope you’ve enjoyed planning your summer in Windsor! With its rich history, charming streets, and endless activities, there’s always something new to discover. Whether you’re strolling along the Thames or exploring Windsor Castle, I’m sure your summer here will be unforgettable. Enjoy every moment!