Towns & Villages

You may be here visiting Windsor, Eton or Maidenhead but if you enjoy exploring further afield, venture out to some of our other towns and villages such Ascot and Cookham and you'll find some true picture-postcard areas.

The landscape, the buildings, the people and the general atmosphere of the towns and villages combine to reflect that special character which is the epitome of the Royal Borough.

Each town and village has its own history and distinct personality, many with boutiques, fine arts and crafts, florists and wine merchants.

With charming surroundings and friendly people where better to spend your time? 

Discover more about the towns and villages of the Royal Borough by clicking on the links below.

Ascot - Ascot was originally a village called East Cote meaning Eastern Cottage from the old English Estcota and lies just 6 miles from Windsor Castle.

Bisham - the dense woods at Bisham provide a dramatic backdrop to its historic buildings.  The best-known sight in the village is Bisham Abbey, actually a 13th-century manor house built by the Knights Templar.

Bray - A pretty riverside parish with a three-mile frontage on the Thames between Maidenhead and Windsor, Bray has become a very popular stopping place for visitors to the Royal Borough as it features a wealth of cottages and houses, fine dining and attractive riverbank properties.

Clewer - Clewer is the oldest village in the Royal Borough.

Cookham - Cookham is one of the most popular Thameside resorts with its many superb restaurants and inns.  It's also home to the Stanley Spencer Gallery.

Datchet - Despite much modern development, Datchet still manages to retain many features of the quiet riverside settlement it once was.

Eton - It is impossible to think of Eton without reference to its famous public school, Eton College, and indeed the later history of the town is inseparably entwined with that of the college.

Horton - The name most associated with Horton is that of John Milton (1608-74) who wrote many of his poems while living here.

Hurley - Hurley lies halfway between London and Oxford, being 55 miles from each by river. 

Littlewick Green - Littlewick Green has a certain charm, with many of its cottages and houses set around a sizeable green with the school and parish church completing the picture.

Old Windsor - Old Windsor was the oldest Saxon town in Berkshire and the seat of Edward the Confessor.

Shottesbrook - Although the smallest parish in the Royal Borough, Shottesbrooke contains one of the most noteworthy churches in Berkshire.

Sunningdale - Sunningdale is noted for its fine displays of trees and shrubs, especially banks of rhododendrons, and its famous golfing facilities.

Sunninghill - Sunninghill means 'the home of Sunna’s people'.  Most of the development around the large country houses of the 18th century was accelerated by the discovery of health-giving salt springs and rapidly increased with the advent of the railway in 1841.

Waltham St Lawrence - One of the most westerly parishes in the borough, Waltham St Lawrence includes the hamlets of West End and Shurlock Row and contains many fine examples of domestic architecture.

White Waltham - During World War II an airfield was established at White Waltham which was subsequently used as the headquarters of Home Command of the RAF.

Wraysbury - For lovers of Tudor history this area has special associations. It was at the yew tree in the grounds of Ankerwyke Priory, half a mile from Wraysbury, that Henry VIII used to meet Anne Boleyn.

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Further Information

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is very fortunate to have some amazing towns and villages, all with their own unique history and personality and just waiting to be discovered.

If you require more information on the various things to do and our wide range of attractions such as Windsor Castle, Legoland and Dorney Court, then we highly recommend you visit those individual pages.

If our 'what's on' and events guide – which includes big annual events such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Royal Ascot – is more your thing, then we highly recommend you visit those pages too.

If you would like to book some accommodation, whether it be from our range of hotels, homely bed and breakfasts, clean and presentable self-catering properties or even a campsite to set up base, then you can visit those pages for more information or call the Royal Windsor Information Centre during office hours on +44 (0)1753 743907 where one of our friendly assistants will be more than happy to assist you.

If you do plan to visit Windsor and Maidenhead then you should check out the amazing food, drink, shopping and entertainment in the local area.

You can find out more information by visiting our shopping, restaurants, pubs and nightlife pages.

Last but not least, if you are planning to come by car then we definitely recommend you visit our maps and parking pages for more information on the various car parks and 'park and ride' options throughout the Borough.