Top 10 Free Things to Do

It's not all about the entrance fees!

Here are some ideas for some free things to see and do when you visit the Windsor and Maidenhead area.

Don't forget that entry to Windsor Castle is free with our Residents' Advantage Card and the Castle offers many great free family activities at weekends and school holidays.  And National Trust members can explore local properties like Runnymede and Cliveden and get free parking at National Trust countryside properties on production of their membership cards.

1. Watch the Guards March through Windsor

Windsor Castle Guard (usually accompanied by a military band) marches from Victoria Barracks, Sheet Street to Windsor Castle via Windsor High Street throughout the year.  The guard march schedule is set by the British Army and changes every month so please check the schedule in advance to avoid disappointment.  The guards leave the barracks at approximately 10:50am then return back again about 11:30am.  The best viewing point is the Corn Exchange at the famous Windsor Guildhall.  The Changing the Guard ceremony takes place inside Windsor Castle and requires payment of the entry fee.

2. Explore Maidenhead Heritage Centre

Maidenhead's history ranges from the Romans to racing cars.  The Air Transport Auxiliary collection  at Maidenhead Heritage Centre is of national importance.  There is a programme of exhibitions and regular lunchtime lectures (second Tuesday of the month).  Browse photo albums and discover Maidenhead life in the good old days!

3. Stroll along the Long Walk and through Windsor Great Park

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

4. Attend Evensong at St George's Chapel

St George's Chapel is one of most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings and is set within Windsor Castle.  It was the setting for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's marriage in May 2018.

If you are a worshipper you can attend church services here free of charge; evensong is a 45-minute service beautifully sung by the Chapel Choir, one of the leading church choirs in the country.  Evensong takes place at 5:15pm (sung every day except Wednesday).

5. Visit St John's Parish Church, Windsor

In the shadow of Windsor Castle, Windsor Parish Church is open seven days a week and contains wood carvings by Grinling Gibbons and a beautiful painting of the Last Supper which is considered a national treasure.  It was given by George III following alterations to the royal chapel and was restored in 2003.

6. Follow The Queen's Walkway

63 gunmetal plaques marked with HM The Queen's personal royal cypher connect this walking trail around 63 of Windsor's finest sights.

Pick up a free map and leaflet at the Royal Windsor Information Centre or download the app before you set off.

7. Explore The Eton Walkway

Follow 18 bronze Eton coat of arms markers on a circular tour of this historic town.  You'll discover a fascinating heritage and many fun facts to impress your friends.  There's a printed guide or you can download the mobile app.

8. Discover three free Eton College museums

Did you know there are three fascinating museums sitting within the historic grounds of Eton College?

The Natural History Museum, the Museum of Antiquities and the Museum of Eton Life are all free to explore and are open to the public on Sunday afternoons between 2:30pm and 5pm.

9. Walk by the River Thames

Escorted by the Royal Boatmen, the Royal Family once used the Thames to travel between royal palaces.  It's less common these days to see royals on the river, but walks along the Thames Path are not to be missed.

Start from Old Windsor and once passed the weir at Old Windsor Lock, cross Albert Bridge for a detour into the village of Datchet - you'll soon return over Victoria Bridge into Home Park, with picture-postcard views of both Windsor Castle and Eton.

If you are by the river during the third week of July you may witness Royal Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population.  The Royal Swan Uppers wear the scarlet uniform of Her Majesty The Queen and travel in traditional rowing skiffs together with Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies.

10. Free town centre events in Windsor and Maidenhead

Coming to the Royal Borough? Search what’s on and discover a host of free town centre events taking place during the year in Windsor, Eton and Maidenhead.

During the summer months, bring your friends, family and a picnic and chill out to free concerts as ‘live at the bandstand’ takes place in Windsor’s Alexandra Gardens by the River Thames.  Kick off the school summer holidays by heading to Norden Farm’s Maidenhead Beach where it’s free to play all summer long.

Every August, Maidenhead at the Movies, is a free outdoor cinema event in Maidenhead's Kidwells Park, where you and your family can enjoy four films a day over a three-day period.  There's always a funfair and catering on site but feel free to bring a picnic and just soak up the atmosphere!

At Christmas time, you’ll discover some great family events including the Living Advent Calendar, Christmas light switch ons, reindeer parade and carols on castle hill.
During the school holidays you can follow free family treasure hunts around the town centres with great prizes to be won.  Every October half term, Windsor Royal Station hosts a pumpkin party; who will carve the best pumpkin or wear the best fancy dress outfit?

On Shrove Tuesday, you can watch teams of pancake racers competing head to head in the towns of Maidenhead and Windsor.