Windsor

Windsor is a riverside town west of London, home to a royal castle that is an easy train ride from the capital.

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Windsor is a town in Berkshire, about 21 miles west of central London on the River Thames. Its main draw is Windsor Castle, a royal residence on a hill above the town. William the Conqueror had the first castle built there in the 1070s, and English monarchs have used it for centuries. It is still a working royal residence, and parts of it are open to visitors, including St George's Chapel. Across the river, Eton College was founded in 1440.

A day trip by train from London works well, and trains from London Waterloo take about an hour. The castle, the old streets by the river and the Great Park can fill a full day. The Long Walk, a straight avenue of about 2.6 miles from the castle to Snow Hill in the Great Park, is the easiest way to see the park on foot. Late spring to early autumn suits the outdoor walks best.

Windsor in five

Book timed Windsor Castle tickets onlineWindsor Castle is a working royal residence and sells timed entry through the Royal Collection Trust website. Book for the day you plan to go, since the castle closes on some days for royal events.Tours and tickets
Check the castle opening days before you goWindsor Castle closes on some days for royal events and private use, and the dates change through the year. Check the official calendar in the week you travel, not only when you book.Tours and tickets
Take the train from London WaterlooTrains from London Waterloo take about an hour to Windsor & Eton Central, a short walk from the castle. Check the departure board for your platform before you travel.Getting around
Walk the Long Walk into Windsor Great ParkThe Long Walk runs about 2.6 miles from the castle to Snow Hill in Windsor Great Park. Entry to the park is free.
Cross to Eton over Eton BridgeEton College is across the Thames from Windsor, a short walk over Eton Bridge. Check the college's visitor days before you plan an afternoon there.

Things to do in Windsor

See all attractions in Windsor

Castle · WindsorWindsor CastleBook tickets in advance and arrive early to avoid the busiest queues.

Garden · WindsorThe Savill GardenBook garden tickets online for the lower ticket price, or buy them at the entrance.

Sight · WindsorEton CollegeCheck whether a guided tour is available before planning to enter; many parts of the college are not open to the public.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to WindsorPut the places you like in Windsor on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
Entry: Some travelers need an ETA; others enter visa-free for short stays. Check the current rules before you fly. Read more
Emergency: 999 or 112 for police, fire and ambulance
Tipping: A service charge is sometimes added to the bill; check before you tip
Time: UTC+0 in winter, UTC+1 in summer (British Summer Time)

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh7°Low2°Cold, short days
FebruaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, grey
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Spring starts
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring blooms
MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Mild, long days
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Long days, busy
JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, busy
AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Summer crowds
SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Mild, quieter
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Autumn colour
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Dark, damp
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, dark

Average daily high and low in Windsor, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Windsor

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 6°
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 14%

Windsor

12:03 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+0

Today12°7°14%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 14%.
Wed11°8°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 4%.
Thu9°7°1%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 1%.
Fri11°7°14%Friday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 14%.
Sat10°8°14%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 14%.
Sun10°6°10%Sunday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 10%.

Updated 10:30 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Windsor

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

MarCheltenham FestivalThe Cotswolds, a day trip
May–AugGlyndebourne Festival OperaBrighton & Hove, a day trip
MayBrighton FestivalBrighton & Hove, a day trip
Jun–JulGarsington OperaOxford, a day trip
JunMeltdownLondon, a day trip
Jul–AugCambridge Folk FestivalCambridge, a day trip
Jul–SepBBC PromsLondon, a day trip
JulWireless FestivalLondon, a day trip

Day trips by train

Londonabout 1 hour by trainCentral London is the usual base for a day trip to Windsor, and the train takes about an hour.
Oxforda separate day by carA university city of colleges and old streets. It needs its own day.
Etona short walk across Eton BridgeEton College and its High Street, across the river from Windsor and easy to add to a castle visit.

Before you go to Windsor

eSIM for EnglandData on landing for a day tripRead the guide

Travel insurance for the UKMedical cover for visitorsRead the guide

Money and cards in the UKCard payments and typical costsRead the guide

Where to stay near WindsorCompare bases before you bookRead the guide

Rules for Windsor, checked

Some travelers need an ETA for the UK, and others enter visa-free for short stays. Check gov.uk before you book your flight.Source
Customs officers ask about meat, dairy, plants and other animal products. Declare them on arrival, or you risk a penalty.
The legal age to buy alcohol in England is 18, and pubs and shops often check ID. Carry your passport or a valid photo ID.
Expect security checks at Windsor Castle, and follow staff directions inside the royal residence.

Plan around Windsor

All of England

Entry rules, transport and money for an England trip

Read the guide Getting around

Trains, buses and car hire for a day trip from London

Read the guide Money and costs

Typical prices and how to pay in the UK

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs an ETA and how to apply before you fly

Read the guide Where to stay

Windsor and Eton compared for a longer visit

Read the guide

Windsor FAQ

Is Windsor worth visiting?

Yes, for the castle, St George's Chapel, the Long Walk and the old town along the Thames. It works as a half day or a full day from London, and Eton is across the river.

How many days do you need in Windsor?

One day covers the castle and the town. Add a second morning for Windsor Great Park and Eton if you want a slower visit.

How do you get from London to Windsor?

Take a train from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Central, about an hour. A car works too, but the train drops you a short walk from the castle.

Can you visit Windsor Castle every day?

No. It closes on some days for royal events and private use, so check the official calendar and book a timed ticket for the day you go.

When is the best time to visit Windsor?

April to June and September are mild with long daylight. Winter has short days, and summer weekends are busy.

Should I stay in Windsor or London?

Stay in Windsor for a slower evening near the castle and the river. Stay in London for more restaurants, nightlife and transport links.