With Heathrow airport located less than 20 minutes’ drive, and central London only 60 minutes by train, you can deliver the classic English experience in London’s Country Estate with minimal travelling and maximum benefit.
Royalty
Did someone mention a Royal home? Windsor Castle has been occupied by Kings and Queens for almost 1000 years. It's one of the official residences of His Majesty The King and was Queen Elizabeth II's favourite weekend home. With private evening tours, regular Changing the Guard ceremonies, opulent State Rooms and favoured Royal Wedding venue St George’s Chapel, it’s a must-see experience right in the heart of the town.
Afternoon Tea
There are few English traditions more decadent than taking afternoon tea. This much-loved practice was introduced in Windsor by Anna Maria, seventh Duchess of Bedford. Asking for a pot of water, bread and butter and cakes, she brewed her own tea and wrote about it in a letter sent from Windsor Castle in 1841. Nowadays there are many variations of afternoon tea to enjoy, and lots of local places to enjoy one.
Country Houses and Estates
A royal castle required places to stay nearby for members of the royal court. Many of these sumptuous estates and dwellings are open to stay in following sympathetic renovation to offer luxurious bedrooms and relaxing spas, Michelin star dining and cosy event spaces. On the outside you’ll find glorious gardens, and acres of space for walks or team-building activities.
English Pubs and Inns
Once upon a time weary travellers without the benefit of a country house estate found comfortable lodging and hearty food in coaching inns along the route. They are an institution that comes in all shapes and sizes. Take a tour of a few locally, you’ll find great stories and many serving their own craft beers and gins.
Messing about on the River
Take to the water and see the area from a new perspective. There are sightseeing trips of varied length and location, special dining cruises, steamboat services, private luxury launches, rowing boats and vintage craft complete with picnic baskets. Take a turn at the wheel or sit back and let someone else navigate the locks while you watch the swans glide past.
Social Events
Two words – Royal Ascot. This highlight of the summer social season mixes horse-racing, fashion, champagne and strawberries in a glorious festival. Other places to see and be seen include the Cartier Queens Cup at Guard’s Polo club, the rowing regatta at Henley and regular meetings of the sport of kings throughout the year at Ascot and Royal Windsor Racecourse.
Glorious Gardens
Rated Britain’s finest ornamental garden, The Savill Garden blends interconnecting planted areas and exotic woodland, with a modern rose garden that blooms throughout the summer.
Scandal
Of course. Look no further than Cliveden and the notorious Profumo Affair of 1961, where a potent combination of spies, call girls and a Government Minister eventually brought down the Government of the day in 1963.
Shakespeare
He was here – and wrote the Merry Wives of Windsor which was performed at Vicar’s Hall in the castle to amuse the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Herne’s Oak Tree, where the wives contrived to meet the amorous Falstaff, was in what is now Windsor Great Park.
Quirkiness
Watch out for (or arrange a guided tour and have them pointed out and explained in detail), England’s shortest street, the blue postbox; Sir Chrisopher Wren’s columns not holding up the roof; King’s Beasts; Rocky Horror Picture Show; Eton College; Swan Upping; Bray (the only village in the world to have two, three star Michelin restaurants); the Copper Horse, the Obelisk and a set of 2,000 year old Roman ruins, all found within Windsor Great Park.
The Weather
While we’d like to claim the sun always shines on Windsor, it doesn’t. We get the same changeable weather patterns as the rest of England. And that’s how it should be.
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