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Royal Windsor

There’s a reason why Windsor and Maidenhead is known as The Royal Borough. First chosen by William the Conqueror as a strategic site of importance, the castle he founded has expanded to accommodate successive monarchs, many of whom left their mark on Windsor.

Today Windsor is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest royal residence to have remained in continuous use by the British Monarchy. Windsor hosted its first royal wedding in 1121 when Henry I married his second wife ‘The Fair Maid of Brabant’. More recently HRH Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, HRH the Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker-Bowles in 2005 and The Princess Royal’s son Peter Phillips married Autumn Kelly in 2008.

HRH Prince Philip suggested moving some state banquets to Windsor, a move popular with guests and staff.  Since 1972, 19 state visits have been hosted in Windsor.

Other royal connections include:

·  The Royal Landscape

·  Windsor Royal Shopping

·  Royal Windsor Tattoo

·  Royal Windsor Horse Show

·  Royal Ascot

·  Theatre Royal

 

Boating Windsor

Messing about on the river can be exhilarating, relaxing, active or passive – all options are possible from Windsor and Maidenhead. Hire a cruiser and enjoy the thrill of navigating your first lock gates. Hire someone to do it for you and sit back in wonderment as these feats of engineering perform their vital task and send you on your way.

Get physical, with a rowing boat or canoe. Get lazy on the deck of a river boat as the commentary keeps you informed about special sites of interest. Be sure to wave to fellow boaters and landlubbers alike as you enjoy the River Thames in style.

·  French Brothers

·  Fringella

·  John Logie Motorboats

·  Kris Cruisers

·  Hobbs of Henley

Walking Windsor

Walking doesn’t have to be head to toe waterproofs and Ordnance Survey six figure grid references. Within the Royal Borough there are300km of ‘Rights of Way to be explored at leisure. This includes the Thames Path, one of the best know long distance trails which is enjoyable in small sections of 3 – 5 miles, from lock to lock or pub to pub.

For a gentle stroll and the opportunity to get under the skin of Windsor try a guided walk offered by local blue badge guides. As well as general knowledge of Windsor, Eton, The River Thames, there are themed walks covering ghost tours, historic inns or mediaeval Windsor.  These are the perfect opportunity to regale friends and family with ‘not a lot of people know that’ facts and improve your chances at the pub quiz.You can even take a walking tour of Windsor with your mobile phone.

·  Explore and Discover Tours

·  RendezVous Tourist Guides

·  Spirit of England tours

·  Windsor Tours

·  Windsor Tourist Guides Ltd

·  Windsor Welcome Guides

·  Windsor Footsteps

2012 Windsor

The Royal Borough is gearing up for 2012 and the countdown is onfor the Rowing and Kayak events. Dorney Lake is a 2,200m, eight-lane course with a separate return lane constructed to international standards by Eton College. Set in 450 acres of parkland which includes an Arboretum and Nature Conservation area, up to 30,000 spectators per day will be able to enjoy the Rowing, Kayak and Paralympic Rowing events.

But did you know about Windsor’s role in hosting events in both previous Olympic Games events in 1908 and 1948?

In 1908, the marathon race started in Windsor. At that point the distance was a moveable feast and on this occasion the originally planned 25 miles grew to enable a start at the Castle from East Terrace. With changes at the White City end of the route the eventual distance settled at 26 miles 385 yards and this was later adopted as the official distance.

In 1948, Windsor Great Park hosted the road cycling races after a technical oversight was discovered at the originally planned location Richmond Park – namely that activity over 20mph was forbidden. Spectators were allowed to travel to the start at The Long Walk but a torrential downpour kept all but the keenest away. The race was started by HRH Prince Philip.

10 places to experience Windsor off the beaten track

·  Windsor Castle semi-state rooms – open winter months only (Oct – Mar)

·  Stanley Spencer Gallery - Cookham

·  Evensong at St George’s Chapel – Windsor

·  Maidenhead Thicket - former haunt of Dick Turpin

·  Dorney Court – 450 years of history including growing the UK’s first pineapple in 1661 (April/May)

·  Runnymede – historic site of the signing of Magna Carta, the John F Kennedy memorial and a memorial to ‘the men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives in the Second World War and have no known grave’

·  Bray Lake watersports –have a go fun for all ages, particularly children

·  Virginia Water Lake – a pleasant 4.5 mile stroll or jog – with The Valley Gardens on its northern shore.

·  Norden Farm Centre for the Arts - Maidenhead

·  Windsor Great Park village – accessible only on foot, cycle or bus

5 Luxury Windsor experiences

·  Spa Pamper Days – offered at Coworth Park, Runnymede-on-Thames, Sir Christopher Wren, Savill Court

·  Yoga Weekends at DanesfieldHouse

·  Fine Dining – The Fat Duck, Hinds Head, Compleat Angler, Danesfield House

·  Polo – Cartier International, Coworth Park

·  Royal Ascot

10 Free Activities in The Royal Borough

Walk the Thames Path

Walk the 21.58mile Windsor and Maidenhead section of the Thames Path Walk - Bell Weir Lock / Runnymede through Old Windsor to Temple Lock / Henley. You can wave to passing narrowboats, talk to the swans and duck under weeping willows at your own pace.

www.thames-path.org.uk/thames_windsor_bourne_end.html

See the Guards March

Windsor Castle Guard marches up Windsor High Street to Windsor Castle from Victoria Barracks daily from April to July (except Sundays) at 10.50am usually accompanied by a military band.  The best viewing point is the Corn Exchange at the famous Windsor Guildhall. The Guard changing ceremony takes place inside Windsor Castle and requires payment of the entry fee.

www.windsor.gov.uk

Explore Maidenhead Heritage Centre

Maidenhead history ranges from the Romans to Racing Cars. The Air Transport Auxiliary collection is of national importance. Programme of exhibitions, regular lunch-time lectures (second Tuesday of the month), browse photo albums and discover Maidenhead life in the 'good old days'. www.maidenheadheritage.org.uk/index.htm

Watch Polo

In summer polo is played most days on Smith's Lawn in Windsor Great Park (April – September only). National and International teams compete with their entourage of ponies (never horses!) Don’t forget to take part in your own ’Pretty Woman’ moment stomping the divots at half time.

www.guardspoloclub.com

Stroll along The Long Walk and through Windsor Great Park

Charles II created the three-mile-long Long Walk from the castle leading into the Great Park. The Great Park, part of a vast Norman hunting chase, is set in 2,020 hectares (5,000 acres) of countryside stretching from Windsor Castle to the north and Ascot to the south. The varied landscape and sweeping deer lawns, woods, coverts and huge solitary ancient oaks means the park is alive with wildlife.

www.thecrownestate.co.uk

Attend Evensong at St George’s Chapel

The service lasts approximately 45 minutes and is beautifully sung by the Chapel Choir, one of the leading Church Choirs in the country. They perform Evensong at 5.15 pm (Sung every day except Wednesdays).

www.stgeorges-windsor.org

 

Visit St John’s Parish Church

In the shadow of Windsor Castle, Windsor Parish Church is a brass-rubbing centre containing brasses from all over Britain and Europe. The church is open 7 days a week and contains a beautiful painting of the Last Supper. Of unknown origin, the painting is considered a National Treasure; was given by George III following alterations to the royal chapel and was restored in 2003.

www.achurchnearyou.com/windsor-parish-church

Follow the Royal Windsor Heritage trail

This self-guided free trail follows a route from Windsor Castle across the River Thames to Eton College, in the process discovering over 1,000 years of local history. A copy of the trail can be downloaded from www.windsor.gov.uk

Feed the swans

There are plenty of places to feed the swans and other waterfowl in Windsor, particularly along the Alexander Gardens section to the railway bridge.

Solve the Royal Windsor Brick Maze

Goswell park maze is a simple path with small paved areas denoting chess pieces along the route, finishing in the centre on a paved area depicting the Round Tower of Windsor Castle. Travel from the entrance pawn to the centre Castle - always going forwards.  The rules are available at the start of the maze.