Top Tips for Winter

Welcome to winter in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

After the whirlwind of Christmas, the New Year is an exciting time to look ahead and plan for everything 2024 has in store. How about a memorable start to the year with a wonderful adventure or a delightful escape? Check out our current special offers for inspiration.

As January moves into February the days start getting a little longer, giving us more opportunity to go out and explore. Thoughts can turn to planning some cosy short breaks, Valentine’s Day and February Half Term holidays.

Tickets for many winter attractions and events are available to book in advance through the Windsor online shop, and our friendly staff at the Royal Windsor Information Centre are also there in person (Wednesday to Sunday) to offer advice and make suggestions for great days out.

So, if you are coming to the Windsor area during December, January or February, here are our top tips to enjoy winter in Windsor and the Royal Borough. Our ideas might just turn into your winter traditions for years to come!

Visit Windsor Castle

Winter is a great time to visit Windsor Castle. In the winter months, Windsor Castle's richly-decorated Semi-State rooms, which served as the private rooms of George IV in the 19th century, are open to the public at no extra charge.

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Maidenhead and Windsor

Celebrate Lunar New Year on 10 February 2024 on Maidenhead High Street and Windsor Royal. Enjoy the traditional lion dance full of noise and colour, traditionally performed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year, which this year is the Year of the Dragon. More information coming soon!

Bag a bargain in the sales

On the lookout for a good deal? Whether it’s a new handbag, stylish décor or a tech gadget, make the most of the season and seize the moment with a discount. You’ll find an amazing selection of high street retailers as well as fantastic independent shops – check out our shopping pages and bag yourself a bargain!

Enjoy some great food and drink

Get friends and family together and enjoy a tasty meal. Start the day with breakfast or brunch at one of our cafes and restaurants. Choose a welcoming local pub for lunch and a pint in front of an open fire. Or book Sunday lunch at one of our hotels. Looking for some tasty vegan food for January's Veganuary? Check out our Vegan Dining page. Visit our Food and Drink pages to whet your appetite and check out our Special Offers too!

Winter walks in the Windsor area

After the seasonal excesses of Christmas and New Year getting outside and having some exercise becomes even more tempting. Windsor and the Royal Borough offers great countryside walks through rolling parkland, within beautiful gardens, along the Thames Path and throughout a network of footpaths and rights of way.

Windsor Great Park offers visitors mile upon mile of open space – it's perfect for walking, cycling and running! Take a look at the Pocket Guide before you visit.

There is much to see and discover in The Savill Garden during winter. Colour is in abundance from the stems, fruit and evergreen leaves of the winter beds, and in particular, the colourful stems of the dogwood and willows command attention. The bark of the cherry, maple and birch trees are also features to look out for. There is subtlety and atmosphere in a winter visit to The Savill Garden. Bare stately tree trunks open up new vistas to soak in, offset by the hazy light of the low winter sun. The Savill Garden is open daily, excluding 24 and 25 December. For more information and opening times please visit windsorgreatpark.co.uk/openingtimes

Take in the frosty views of the River Thames from National Trust Cliveden’s gardens and woodlands this winter.

Looking for some great dog walks in and around Windsor? Visit our Dog Walking blog to find out more.

Book a luxurious New Year spa break

New Year is the perfect time to treat yourself to a New Year short break.

We have wonderful local hotels with incredible spa facilities meaning you can enjoy a spot of well-deserved pampering!

Go racing at Ascot Racecourse

Jumps racing continues through the winter at Ascot Racecourse so come and enjoy a flutter! It might be cold outside but the racecourse is a hive of activity and there are warming winter dishes and cocktails throughout the grandstand. Don’t forget children under 18 enjoy free entry.

Cheer on the Windsor and Maidenhead pancake racers!

Cheer on the pancake-tossing teams as they race eachother this Shrove Tuesday, 13 February 2024. They'll be racing and flipping to raise money for Alexander Devine Children's Hospice. You can watch the hilarity unfold in both Windsor (Windsor Royal) and Maidenhead (Nicholson Centre).

Check out the snowdrops

Now is the time to see some harbingers of spring such as snowdrops and early-flowering daffodils. Snowdrops are one of the first signs of life in our gardens, despite the harsh winter frost that still lingers at this time of year. National Trust Cliveden has one of the loveliest displays of these pretty little bulbs.

Watch the Six Nations in Windsor

A good atmosphere and a big screen can make all the difference! Windsor & Eton Brewery hosts Rugby in the Brewery (February and March) and you can join them for every match of the Six Nations 2024.

Get ready for February Half Term

It’s good to be prepared for when you get asked ‘What are we going to do TODAY?’

Whatever the weather we have some great ideas for indoor and outdoor activities. Will it be taking part in an activity at Windsor Castle, getting muddy in Windsor Great Park, working as a team in one of our escape rooms or doing a chocolate-making workshop?

Check out our Family Fun page for ideas and inspiration and get planning.

Be Romantic this Valentine’s Day

From a romantic meal to a full-blown weekend away, nothing says ‘I love you’ like treating your nearest and dearest.

Windsor and the Royal Borough has some amazing places to squirrel yourselves away this Valentine's – choose a stunning room, suite or country retreat, or a hotel with full pampering facilities.

There are some great dining options and hotel restaurants too. What will you choose? Check out our Valentine Offers for ideas and inspiration.

And if you are thinking of popping the question, check out our Top 12 Places to Propose!