When you hear the name Windsor you'll immediately think about Windsor Castle, home of the British monarchy, and the main reason that thousands flock here every year. It’s a very pretty town too, the castle’s grey medieval stone rising out of the modern road and overlooking the Thames in one direction, and the famous Long Walk in the other. Our Gurus have chosen a wide range of accommodation here, and our pick of the best places to stay in Windsor vary from regal hotels, to romantic restaurants with rooms and family friendly options.
Windsor’s architecture is a pleasant mix of Elizabethan and Regency style, which really helps create an elegant atmosphere for fans of royalty. There are quaint tea shops, independent boutiques selling all manner of gifts, and across the river in Eton are the schoolboys in their traditional tail coats. And of course you can tour the castle and its chapels. If you’re here primarily to see the castle, and maybe catch a glimpse of royalty, the best places to stay in Windsor for you will probably be those closest to the castle, where you’ll have the best opportunities to see the regular changing of the guard, and potential comings and goings. One of our recommendations is just across the road.
The appeals of Windsor Great Park, which runs all the way from the castle’s The Long Walk almost to Ascot — convenient on race days — are as large and varied as the park itself. There’s a languid lake, woods and forests, waterfalls, a hill, ornamental gardens, lots of walking routes, and some really nice cafes.
The town is a year round destination, but if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Windsor during the school holidays or peak summer season, you'll need to be organised and book well ahead.