Top 10 Things to do in and around Windsor for free

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. And don't forget:

✅ Windsor Castle offers many great free family activities at weekends and school holidays. If you have paid for entry to Windsor Castle, you can enjoy free re-admission for a year by asking for your ticket purchase to be treated as a donation. £1 Windsor Castle tickets are available for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits during certain months of the year.

✅ 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.

✅ Children 17 and under go free to the races at Ascot and Royal Windsor when accompanied by an adult.

1. Watch the Guards March through Windsor

The Guard March is one of Windsor’s most popular and unique sightseeing activities! The Windsor Castle Guard (usually accompanied by a military band) marches from Victoria Barracks (on Sheet Street) to Windsor Castle via Windsor High Street on regular dates throughout the year. The guards leave the barracks at approximately 10:50am then return back again about 11:30am. There are plenty of places to get a great view and watch them close up; one of the best viewing points is the Corn Exchange at the famous Windsor Guildhall.

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 Changing the Guard ceremony takes place inside Windsor Castle and requires payment of the entry fee.

2. Explore Windsor and Royal Borough Museum

Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is a family-friendly museum bursting with interesting facts and interactive displays of East Berkshire. Located in Windsor Guildhall, the museum explores the history of the borough through an audio trail of stories told by local residents about their lives and the changing landscape of Windsor. The museum offers a look into our unique and varied collection, from a 100,000-year-old Mammoth tusk to a model of a Hawker Hurricane, the plane designed by Windsor-born Sir Sydney Camm.

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 is the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh and was the setting for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's marriage in 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 Queen Elizabeth II's personal royal cypher connect this walking trail around 63 of Windsor's finest sights. Check out the Queen's Walkway digital brochure where you can get the lowdown on the route's points of interest for free.

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 is a charge for the printed guide but the downloadable version is free.

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. Eton College Collections run a variety of events throughout the year, aimed at a range of ages and interest levels. Most are free of charge.

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. There are some fascinating towns and villages to discover as the river winds its way between Hurley and Runnymede on its journey through the Royal Borough.

If you are by the river during the third week of July you may happen upon Royal Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population. The Royal Swan Uppers wear the scarlet uniform of His Majesty The King 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

Search what’s on and discover free seasonal town centre events taking place during the year in Windsor, Eton and Maidenhead including:

Easter activities including free trails and Easter egg hunts.
Halloween-themed events including pumpkin carving activities in some of our shopping centres.
Christmas events for all the family including Carols on the Hill and our Christmas Light Switch-ons.
Family treasure hunts – during the school holidays follow free family treasure hunts around the town centres with great prizes to be won.
Library events – discover free events and things to do at our Royal Borough libraries.
Pancake Racing – watch teams of pancake racers competing head to head in Windsor every Shrove Tuesday.
Live at the Bandstand – during the summer months, bring your friends, family and a picnic and chill out to free concerts in Windsor’s Alexandra Gardens by the River Thames.
Windsor Championship Dog Show – admission is free (nb parking is chargeable) to this annual dog show, regarded by many as the 'summer Crufts'! With Windsor Castle as a backdrop and a garden party atmosphere it's very popular with visitors.