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You are here: Home > Ideas & Inspiration > Top Ideas > Top Tips for Summer
Welcome to summer in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The days are longer, the weather is warmer which is great as there is so much to see and do! Don't forget to check our regularly-updated What's On page and remember you can book tickets for many events and attractions online here! If you are coming to the Windsor area during June, July or August, here are our top tips to enjoy summer in Windsor and the Royal Borough.
There’s so much to see and do in the area, why not stay a few nights? Visit our accommodation pages to discover a huge range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from five star spa retreats to cosy and comfortable bed and breakfasts and self-catering apartments. When the weather gets 'hot, hot, hot' we have hotels with indoor and outdoor swimming pools too.
Great Fosters bedroom with children's teepee
We're updating our Special Offers page all the time so you can take advantage of what's available through our local businesses. Whether you are looking for a great deal on food and drink or accommodation, want to know what attraction offers there are this summer or are interested in something different for the Platinum Jubilee, visit our Special Offers page and find out more.
There's entertainment both on and off the track at Royal Windsor and Ascot this summer. Enjoy some top racing action during July and August. Windsor is famous for its Monday night meetings as well as some weekend fixtures, with many meetings rounded off with live musical entertainment such as soul, disco and jazz. There are some great family fun days too. There's a fantastic summer of racing at Ascot too including the Summer Mile Racing Weekend, one of Ascot’s greatest occasions, QIPCO King George Diamond Weekend, and the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. Get your tickets here now!
QIPCO King George Diamond Weekend
The Royal Borough celebrated Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee over the June Bank Holiday weekend and there are still some great celebratory events yet to take place. 2022 is a great year to visit us!
In celebration of The Queen's historic Platinum Jubilee, the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate worn by The Queen for her Coronation at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953 will be on display at Windsor Castle from 7 July to 26 September. Designed by the British couturier Sir Norman Hartnell, the dress was created in the finest white duchesse satin, richly embroidered in a lattice-work effect with an iconographic scheme of national and Commonwealth floral emblems in gold and silver thread and pastel-coloured silks, encrusted with seed pearls, sequins and crystals.
One of the most beautiful stretches of Old Father Thames runs through the Royal Borough, between Hurley and Runnymede. The summer months offer so many opportunities for enjoying the river. Feed the swans on Windsor Promenade. Hire a boat for the day and catch up with friends. Paddle yourself along on a kayak tour or SUP. Walk or cycle the Thames Path. Enjoy a picnic by the water’s edge. Sit back and listen to the commentary on a passenger boat. Relax and enjoy good food on a restaurant cruise. Visit our Thames Trail page for more inspiration on how to enjoy the stretch of the river with the help of our local businesses.
Did you know The Queen has a Swan Warden and that once a year the mute swans on the River Thames have an annual health check? If you want to witness something traditional and unique, you’d be hard pressed to beat the sight of the annual Swan Upping ceremony on the River Thames which takes place over five days in July. The Royal Swan Uppers wear the scarlet uniform of Her Majesty The Queen and it is their responsibility – together with the Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies – to travel upstream between Sunbury and Abingdon helping The Queen’s Swan Warden to assess the health of young cygnets and examine them for any injuries. Check the Swan Upping timetable to see dates and times when they are in town and drop by the river to take a look!
It’s the height of summer and for many gardens this is their time to shine, with borders full of summer planting, colour and fragrance. Come and visit the beautiful parks and gardens in the Windsor area. From The Savill Garden, nestled in the corner of Windsor Great Park, to Waltham Place, considered Berkshire’s best-kept secret. The gardens at Frogmore House, set in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, are open for just three days this summer too, in aid of charity. Read more here.
The Savill Garden's Summer Borders
What could be nicer than a balmy summer’s afternoon or evening with friends and family, some good food and drink and a classic film enjoyed in the open air? The annual Luna Cinema at Ascot Racecourse in July shows movie classics under the stars.
Dorney Court is one of England’s finest stately homes and well worth a visit this August when it is open every afternoon. Built in the 15th century, the Tudor manor house has been lived in by the Palmer family for more than 450 years – this remarkable and characterful building has been passed from father to son over thirteen generations. It's featured in lots of TV programmes and films such as The Personal History of David Copperfield, Bohemian Rhapsody and The Other Boleyn Girl.
For the first time since 2019, Frogmore House and Garden, the charming royal retreat set within Windsor Castle's magnificent Home Park, will open to the public for three days as part of the annual charity garden open days. Although it is no longer an occupied royal residence, Frogmore House is frequently used by the Royal Family for private entertaining. The three charities that will benefit from the proceeds of the open days in Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year are the National Garden Scheme on 30 August, Mothers’ Union on 31 August, and Guide Dogs on 1 September.
After a long day’s sightseeing, how about relaxing with a nice pint of locally-brewed beer in one of our local pubs? The Two Brewers on Park Street is one of Windsor’s favourites, located right next to the entrance to the Long Walk. It’s small but perfectly formed with only nine tables inside and wooden benches outside. The Boatman is Windsor’s only proper pub by the river and has been an historical eating and drinking establishment since 1829. Venture a little out of Windsor town centre and you’ll come across some great locals such as the Prince Arthur, a down-to-earth pub dating from 1898, and the Alma, a traditional British pub with the largest beer garden in Windsor.
The Windsor & Eton Brewery is a gem of a place. Not only does it supply many of the local pubs with its delicious range of beers – such as the George Inn, Eton – it’s also open for brewery tours, Music Bingo and quiz nights! Check out their Castle Hill Platinum Pale Ale, a glorious beer with which to celebrate The Queen's Jubilee.
With summer upon us, get out in the fresh air and listen to some bandstand music as you relax with family and friends at Windsor's Live at the Bandstand during Platinum Jubilee year. Bring a picnic and head down to Alexandra Gardens located near the River Thames in the shadow of Windsor Castle, where Windsor’s bandstand – opened by The Queen in 2016 – plays host to a selection of performers on summer weekends.
Windsor Castle has its own bandstand in its Jubilee Gardens and throughout August visitors to the Castle can watch performances on selected weekend afternoons.
Fill August with some fun family activities right here in the Windsor area. Whether you are here for a day or a few, and whatever the weather, check out our ideas and inspiration pages and start planning. Castles, theme parks, riverboats, fun days, films, fresh air, parks and gardens, marching guards – get your inspiration here!
LEGO MYTHICA - The Magical Forest
Sometimes amazing things of interest are just under our noses! The Windsor Window Seat Guide is an app-based walking tour so you can let your phone guide you through the streets of Windsor!Both Windsor and Eton have their own Walkways that link places of interest with an array of featured attractions and worthy views. Windsor’s walkway is known as The Queen’s Walkway and links 63 places of interest; you can download a brochure to help you follow it. The Eton Walkway starts at the pedestrian bridge that joins Windsor and Eton and connects 18 points of interest in this historic town.
While you’re in Eton, discover three fascinating Eton museums and galleries open free of charge on Sunday afternoons: the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Eton Life and the Museum of Antiquities.
We are adding new events taking place in the Windsor, Eton, Maidenhead and Ascot areas to our what's on section all the time. Make sure you search What’s On for all the latest event information so you can get the best out of your visit. Make sure you visit our online shop where you can book tickets in advance to many of our top attractions and events.
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