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Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory - children doing workshop

Chocolate making workshop at Dr Choc's Windsor

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Things to do when Windsor Castle is closed

Windsor Castle is one of the big reasons for a visit to Windsor. However the Castle is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday and may close at short notice at other times. It may be one of the UK’s top visitor attractions but it is also an official home of King Charles III, a working palace and often the location of private events such as royal investitures.

Fortunately, there are lots of other things to do in Windsor town centre when the Castle is closed and you may just discover a hidden gem! Here are our top things to do when the Castle is closed.

1. Guided town walks – discover Windsor’s amazing history on a guided walking tour with one of our Blue Badge Guides. You may not be able to go inside the Castle on a Tuesday and Wednesday but our guides will tell you all about its influence on Windsor’s development and will show you around the oldest parts of the town.

2. Self-guided walks – Download the Windsor Window Seat Guide app and let your phone guide you through the streets of Windsor! You can also follow the Queen’s Walkway or Eton Walkway by following the circular markers in the towns’ pavements.

3. Escape Room Experiences – immerse yourself in the interactive world of an escape room! Find puzzles and solve clues in order to escape! We have two escape room companies to choose from in Windsor town centre: Escape in 60 and Windsor Escape Experience.

3. Take to the river – River Thames passenger boat trips run daily subject to river conditions or why not jump on the Windsor Duck, an amphibious vehicle that lets you enjoy both road and river! Check out our Thames Trail page for more inspiration.

4. Open top bus tour – Golden Tours' carefully-designed route journeys through Windsor, Eton and Datchet ensuring visitors see all the must-see sights the area has to offer.

5. Horse-drawn carriage – slow down the pace and experience the wonder of Windsor Great Park by horse-drawn carriage with Windsor Carriages. Book on to a scheduled trip or create a bespoke experience.

6. Windsor & Royal Borough Museum – Windsor & Royal Borough Museum is a family-friendly museum bursting with interesting facts and interactive displays of East Berkshire (closed Tuesdays but open Wednesdays).

7. Guided tour of Windsor Guildhall – Join a guided tour of Windsor Guildhall and walk in the footsteps of royalty to learn more about the history of this Grade I listed building and its importance to Windsor’s local heritage.

8. Theatre Royal Windsor – Windsor's Theatre Royal is a beautiful Edwardian theatre nestled between Windsor Castle and the River Thames. Look out for midweek matinees.

9. Watch the Guard March – this is one of the town’s top sightseeing things to do and watching the King's guard up close is unique to Windsor! The march to and from the Castle takes place in the morning on specific days of the week so make sure you check out the Guard March schedule to avoid disappointment.

10. Windsor Great Park – Access the Long Walk from Windsor’s Park Street and suddenly thousands of acres of Windsor Great Park lie before you: an ancient royal landscape of forests, grasslands, lakes and gardens just waiting to be explored!

11. Enjoy the tradition of Afternoon Tea – Us Brits love the combination of savoury and sweet treats, accompanied by some of the 165 million cups of tea we drink each day in the UK and there are few traditions more deliciously decadent than Afternoon Tea. Town centre hotels offering Afternoon Tea menus include The Castle Hotel Windsor, Macdonald Windsor Hotel and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel. Or perhaps reserve a table near the window of The Ivy on the Windsor's High Street and you will have a view of Windsor Castle as you spread the jam and cream on to your scones!

12. Dr Choc’s Windsor Chocolate Factory – if you love chocolate you will have loads of fun making your own delights at one of Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory's workshops. Design your own chocolate with organic ingredients and ethically-sourced chocolate.

13. Windsor & Eton Brewery tour – On alternate Wednesdays (at 1830) you can join a Duke Street Experience Brewery tour and learn all about the history of Windsor & Eton Brewery, brewing in the town, the brewing process, including tasting of raw materials and, of course, beer tasting!

14. Shopping – with two pedestrianised shopping centres, recognised high street brands as well as a sprinkling of independent stores, shopping really is a great reason to come to Windsor and Eton town centres. There are lots of food and drink stops for refuelling too.

15. The Royal Windsor Wheel – open daily (March to September) the 110-ft-high observation wheel affords stunning views of Royal Windsor.

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Changing the Guard

Windsor

The Changing of the Guard is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor. A band usually accompanies the guard march, although this is subject to weather conditions.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1046 reviews
Ascot Racecourse

Ascot

Ascot Racecourse welcomes more than 630,000 guests each year for a truly memorable day out. Alongside Royal Ascot they host an additional 21 racedays throughout the year, each with its own unique character, and several non-racing events including…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
14161 reviews
Windsor Castle

Windsor

No trip to Windsor could possibly be complete without a visit to amazing Windsor Castle, the family home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years and today one of the official residences of His Majesty The King. Find out more!
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1220 reviews
French Brothers Ltd

Windsor

French Brothers run boat trips on the River Thames from Windsor and Runnymede. Choose from a short return trip or a full-day cruise. French Brothers offer public, group and private cruises.
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
Golden Tours Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Tour of Windsor

Windsor

Explore the world famous town of Windsor and nearby Eton with a Golden Tours hop-on, hop-off open top bus tour.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1010 reviews
The Savill Garden

Egham

The Savill Garden is a garden of beauty and colour where visitors journey through 35 acres of interconnecting gardens. It offers year-round interest, an iconic visitor centre with restaurant, gallery café, gift shop and plant sales.
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
24323 reviews
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

Windsor

For an awesome family day out this year, visit the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and experience the ultimate LEGO® adventure! Whether you are earning your very first driving licence behind the wheel of a LEGO car at the LEGO® City Driving School, riding…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1664 reviews
Windsor Great Park

Windsor Great Park, Windsor

Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, huge parts of which are open to the public. Windsor Great Park is the perfect place for picnics, eating, shopping, running, walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing. Families will love the children's play…
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
Adventure Play

Englefield Green, Egham

Adventure Play is a unique, hand-crafted adventure playground at Windsor Great Park. Hidden within the woodland next to The Savill Garden, you’ll discover a fascinating world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
497 reviews
Royal Windsor Racecourse

Windsor

Set on its own island and 165 acres of stunning Berkshire countryside, on the banks of the River Thames and in the shadow of Windsor Castle, Royal Windsor Racecourse’s vibrant atmosphere makes for a memorable and thrilling experience each and every…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
125 reviews
Dorney Court

Windsor

Visit Dorney Court, one of the country's finest Tudor Manor Houses. Home to the Palmer family since the 15th century, this extraordinary building offers a fascinating and unique experience all just a stone’s throw from London, Windsor and Eton.
Go Quest Adventures Windsor

Windsor

Explore the streets of Windsor's town centre and unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles and completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1709 reviews
Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor

The Theatre Royal Windsor is a beautiful Edwardian theatre nestling between Windsor Castle and the River Thames and is the only unsubsidised producing theatre to operate all year round in Britain.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2785 reviews
St George's Chapel

Windsor Castle, Windsor

Take in the splendour of St George's Chapel, the burial place of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II, Henry VIII and Charles I, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England.
Guards Polo Club

Windsor Great Park

The best place in the world to watch the fast-paced sport of polo is Guards Polo Club, situated in the heart of Windsor Great Park and founded by HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, in 1955.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
25 reviews
The Old Court

Windsor

The Old Court is a vibrant arts centre with an event programme that features an eclectic mix of live music, drama, comedy and film, and a bar run by Windsor & Eton Brewery.
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
120 reviews
Windsor Carriages

Windsor

Windsor Carriages invites you to experience the wonder of Windsor Great Park by horse-drawn carriage.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
58 reviews
Eton College Natural History Museum

Windsor

Eton’s hidden gem, this family friendly museum is Berkshire’s only dedicated natural history museum. It houses over 16,000 specimens in atmospheric Edwardian surroundings and has something for all the family.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
251 reviews
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts

Maidenhead

Maidenhead’s only purpose built entertainment venue – offering gigs, comedy, films and more! With a licensed Café Bar for lunch, dinner or just drinks with friends.
2-day Family Windsor Itinerary

Windsor

Lucky enough to have two days to get a taste of wonderful Windsor and Eton? Then read on for some ideas as to how to get the most out of your time in our lovely town.