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You are here: 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! 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.
On South Western Railway, kids travel for free with a fare-paying adult this half term so make the most of the school holidays and discover some great days out! Check out South Western Railway for more information and terms and conditions; valid for travel between 19 May and 2 June 2019.
2019 marks 200 years since both Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert were born. There'll be some special events taking place this year to celebrate. Find out more on our special Victoria and Albert: Bicentenary Celebrations page.
Travelling to Windsor by train from London Waterloo this summer? How about arriving aboard The Royal Windsor Steam Express, the first ever regular steam train service between London and Windsor? Sit back, relax and let the romance of steam travel whisk you away to a bygone era. Choose from three classes of travel including Pullman-style dining with a champagne brunch! Trains depart every Tuesday, three times a day, from 4 June to 3 September 2019.
It's Fathers' Day in June. How will you celebrate? Check out our Food and Drink page for meal-time inspiration. How about celebrating with a slap-up family breakfast at one of our great cafes? Or treat dad to a Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea full of savoury delights and beer at Oakley Court! If you are planning a weekend away, you will find all sorts of great accommodation ideas on our Accommodation pages. Dads who love real ale will appreciate membership of Windsor and Eton Brewery. Join one of their microbrewery tours: a fun, informative and tasty insight into one of Britain’s oldest and most thriving traditions.
2019 sees the 29th Royal Windsor Triathlon take place on Sunday 16 June. It’s regarded as one of the best Olympic distance triathlons in the UK and is set against the stunning backdrop of Windsor. Come and cheer on the participants of the Royal Windsor Triathlon as they swim in the River Thames, then cycle and run their way to the finish line.
In June the world-famous race meeting Royal Ascot takes place at Ascot Racecourse. The Queen attends every day of the meeting. The royal party make their way to Ascot Racecourse from Windsor Castle via the Long Walk in cars around 1pm, with their horses and carriages leaving the Castle’s Mews an hour or so earlier along the same route. So the Long Walk is the perfect place to spot the royal family and their guests. If you’re attending Royal Ascot, get your last minute tips on what to wear and how to read the form!
Tennis fans can enjoy enjoy world-class tennis within the unique, English garden party atmosphere of the Boodles Championship. The five-day championship (25-29 June 2019) takes place every year at Stoke Park Club, an intimate venue where every seat is just metres from the action! It’s a great precursor to Wimbledon!
The annual Windsor Championship Dog Show – often described as 'Summer Crufts' – is located under the ramparts of Windsor Castle, on the banks of the River Thames. Over four days, check out the various classes including terriers, gundogs and hounds. Which canine will win the coveted 'Best in Show' and will you agree with the judge's decision? Whilst pet dogs are not allowed in the showground, there is a 'dog hospitality tent' where your dog will be looked after for a small charge. And if you are looking to visit with your four-legged friend, here’s our guide to dog-friendly Windsor.
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. 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 in our patch.
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 5 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!
Windsor & Eton En Plein Air is an open air painting event and competition open to both amateur and professional artists and artists’ groups. Artists are invited to create their own masterpiece over a six-and-a-half-hour period. Get caught up in the excitement of watching paintings come to life before your eyes. Then vote for your favourite painting, as part of the People’s Choice Award, at the pop-up street gallery and sale of artwork held on Castle Hill later that afternoon.
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.
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. Maidenhead at the Movies is three days of free movie fun in Kidwells Park every August. Follow Enjoy Maidenhead on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news.
The two-day Maidenhead Festival takes place at the end of July. It’s a family-focused event that features music, a beach, fairground, stalls and side shows and if you're lucky you might spot a friendly clown or acrobat! The festival is centred around Kidwells Park but aims to involve the whole of the town and local community. All are encouraged to dress up and join in! Children can have fun playing in a fantastic beach made of REAL SAND and there is also a fab fair ground, a market area, gourmet food stalls and loads of live music… all weekend!
Visit Windsor Castle in the summer and Conquer the Tower! Climb the 200 steps to the top of Windsor Castle's iconic Round Tower and enjoy breathtaking views across the historic Windsor parkland, the Thames Valley, London skyline as well as the extent of Windsor Castle. You’ll be 65.5 metres above the River Thames and you’ll get a close view of the castle’s 15-metre flagpole which flies the Royal Standard when The Queen is in residence and the Union Flag when Her Majesty is away from Windsor. Please note, there is an extra charge for this tour and you must be aware of the safety information and height restrictions before booking your ticket.
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 and 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, Beer Yoga and Stand Up comedy nights!
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. 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!
Sometimes amazing things of interest are just under our noses! 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 museums open free of charge on Sunday afternoons: the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Eton Life and the Museum of Antiquities.
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.
We are adding new events taking place in the Windsor, Eton, Maidenhead and Ascot areas to our what's 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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