Half Term

This October half term enjoy some fantastic autumn days out with family and friends in the Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead area.  Find the perfect place to stay where you can relax after a day exploring; choose a lovely hotel with a real log fire, cosy guest accommodation or a ‘home from home’ self-catering apartment.  Discover delicious autumnal menus in our local restaurants and enjoy a great meal after a day's sightseeing.

Look out for special October half term family activities at many of our places to visit and don’t forget that tickets for many events and attractions can be purchased via the Windsor online shop.

Top 10 tips for enjoying half term in and around Windsor

Explore our top ten ideas for indoor and outdoor half term family activities in the Windsor and Maidenhead area, whatever the weather! 

Relax on the river

How lucky are we to have one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames running through the Royal Borough?  Windsor’s promenade is the place to catch a weatherproof passenger boat.  It’s also the place to feed the ducks and the swans!  Across the bridge is Eton and the view of Windsor Castle is magnificent from this side of the water, on the big area of green known as the Brocas.  Follow the Thames Path and enjoy the quieter sections of the river, such as Cookham, home to the Stanley Spencer Gallery.  Book a French Brothers autumn colours cruise from Maidenhead and marvel at the colour of Cliveden’s hanging woods.  Discover the amazing history by the river at Runnymede, with its memorials and works of art.  Visit our Thames Trail page for more information on boat operators and how to make the most of your experience of Old Father Thames.

Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride

Slow down the pace and enjoy Windsor Great Park’s autumn colours from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.  Ascot Carriages operate from The Savill Building and their autumn carriage rides will take in the park’s beautiful acers, full of seasonal colour.  As a family business, Ascot Carriages are keen to share their love and knowledge of the park they know so well. 

Fabulous fireworks

Wrap up warm and enjoy some amazing firework displays in Windsor and the Royal Borough.  Check out the extravaganzas taking place at Royal Windsor Racecourse, Ascot Racecourse and Legoland Windsor.

Norden Farm events

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts is the place for all your children’s entertainment this half term school holiday. Whether your children are more into music, art, dance, theatre, science, or film, there’s plenty to choose from.  Their live shows are hugely popular and often sell out in advance, so be sure to book early! Tickets for each of the live shows are £11 (£9 under 16s), Family and Friends (4 people) £36.  With free parking on site, you can make a day of your visit to Norden Farm this school holiday. Kick back and relax with a coffee, snack or bite to eat in the family friendly Café Bar. There are daily newspapers, free WiFi and even table top games and books to keep eager young minds entertained.

Leonardo 500

2019 marks the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonard da Vinci.  To mark this milestone, children can unleash their inner artist by taking part in the Big Draw Festival - the world’s biggest celebration of drawing - at Windsor Castle, home of his drawings in the Royal Collection. 

Also at Windsor Castle this half term you can discover Masterpieces of Motion - a unique family event combining curation, dramatization and dance interpretation. 

Watch the Guard March

The Guard March is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor.  It’s an amazing sight on Windsor’s High Street!  During half term the Guard March is taking place, weather permitting, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in October and November.  If you are in the town centre, head to the high street about 10:45 and again at 11:20 where you can see the guards and their band marching on the streets.  The guards march from Victoria Barracks on Sheet Street, up the High Street and into Windsor Castle.

The best places to see them are on Windsor High Street or on the Corn Exchange under Windsor Guildhall.  If you are already in Windsor Castle, you’ll be able to witness the ‘guard change’ ceremony in the lower ward at 11:00.  

Get out in the fresh air

From tree climbing activities and bug trails at National Trust Cliveden to dog walking and cycling through Windsor Great Park, getting outdoors – if the weather permits – will bring a smile to the face and a healthy glow to the cheeks!  Discover countryside and open spaces in the Royal Borough.

Halloween happenings

It’s all treats and no tricks this Halloween in the Royal Borough!  Carve a pumpkin and enter Windsor Royal Station’s ghoulish fancy dress competition at their annual Pumpkin Party.  Up at LEGOLAND Resort Windsor there are plenty of Halloween activities to dig your fangs into including the Creepy Cobweb Castle, Monster Rocker’s Dance Party, the Brick or Treat trail, costume competition and so much more.

Eton College’s free musuems

On Sundays Eton College’s vast collections are open free of charge in the form of three museums: the Museum of Eton Life, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Antiquities making it a very pleasant place to explore.  So how about taking a Sunday stroll through pretty, historic Eton, combining it with some shopping and a bit to eat.  Read more in our Eton Blog.

Book tickets from us!

Visit the Visit Windsor online shop and peruse a great range of attractions and events then book ahead.  If you’re in town and you’re looking for advice on what to do while you are here, then drop by the Royal Windsor Information Centre – our friendly information assistants have the local lowdown and can help with ideas and inspiration on things to do and places to stay.