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Windsor Castle Guards (copyright Gill Heppell)

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Things to do when Windsor Castle is closed

Windsor Castle is one of the big reasons for a visit to Windsor. However the Castle is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday and may close at short notice at other times. It may be one of the UK’s top visitor attractions but it is also an official home of King Charles III, a working palace and often the location of private events such as royal investitures.

Fortunately, there are lots of other things to do in Windsor town centre when the Castle is closed and you may just discover a hidden gem! Here are our top things to do when the Castle is closed.

1. Guided town walks – discover Windsor’s amazing history on a guided walking tour with one of our Blue Badge Guides. You may not be able to go inside the Castle on a Tuesday and Wednesday but our guides will tell you all about its influence on Windsor’s development and will show you around the oldest parts of the town.

2. Self-guided walks – Download the Windsor Window Seat Guide app and let your phone guide you through the streets of Windsor! You can also follow the Queen’s Walkway or Eton Walkway by following the circular markers in the towns’ pavements.

3. Escape Room Experiences – immerse yourself in the interactive world of an escape room! Find puzzles and solve clues in order to escape! We have two escape room companies to choose from in Windsor town centre: Escape in 60 and Windsor Escape Experience.

3. Take to the river – River Thames passenger boat trips run daily subject to river conditions or why not jump on the Windsor Duck, an amphibious vehicle that lets you enjoy both road and river! Check out our Thames Trail page for more inspiration.

4. Open top bus tour – the carefully-designed route journeys through Windsor, Eton and Datchet ensuring visitors see all the must-see sights the area has to offer. Golden Tours' sightseeing bus re-opens daily from 16 December 2023.

5. Horse-drawn carriage – slow down the pace and experience the wonder of Windsor Great Park by horse-drawn carriage with Windsor Carriages. Book on to a scheduled trip or create a bespoke experience.

6. Windsor & Royal Borough Museum – Windsor & Royal Borough Museum is a family-friendly museum bursting with interesting facts and interactive displays of East Berkshire (closed Tuesdays but open Wednesdays).

7. Guided tour of Windsor Guildhall – Join a guided tour of Windsor Guildhall and walk in the footsteps of royalty to learn more about the history of this Grade I listed building and its importance to Windsor’s local heritage.

8. Theatre Royal Windsor – Windsor's Theatre Royal is a beautiful Edwardian theatre nestled between Windsor Castle and the River Thames. Look out for midweek matinees. For the winter season, pantomime matinees take place until Wednesday 10 January 2024.

9. Watch the Guard March – this is one of the town’s top sightseeing things to do and watching the King's guard up close is unique to Windsor! The march to and from the Castle takes place in the morning on specific days of the week so make sure you check out the Guard March schedule to avoid disappointment.

10. Windsor Great Park – Access the Long Walk from Windsor’s Park Street and suddenly thousands of acres of Windsor Great Park lie before you: an ancient royal landscape of forests, grasslands, lakes and gardens just waiting to be explored!

11. Enjoy the tradition of Afternoon Tea – Us Brits love the combination of savoury and sweet treats, accompanied by some of the 165 million cups of tea we drink each day in the UK and there are few traditions more deliciously decadent than Afternoon Tea. Town centre hotels including The Castle Hotel Windsor, Macdonald Windsor Hotel and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel all offer Afternoon Tea menus. Or perhaps reserve a table near the window of The Ivy on the Windsor's High Street and you will have a view of Windsor Castle as you spread the jam on to your scones!

12. Dr Choc’s Windsor Chocolate Factory – if you love chocolate you will have loads of fun making your own delights at one of Dr Choc's Windsor Chocolate Factory's workshops. Design your own chocolate with organic ingredients and ethically-sourced chocolate.

13. Windsor & Eton Brewery tour – On alternate Wednesdays (at 1830) you can join a Duke Street Experience Brewery tour and learn all about the history of Windsor & Eton Brewery, brewing in the town, the brewing process, including tasting of raw materials and, of course, beer tasting!

14. Shopping – with two pedestrianised shopping centres, recognised high street brands as well as a sprinkling of independent stores, shopping really is a great reason to come to Windsor and Eton town centres. There are lots of food and drink stops for refuelling too.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
14063 reviews
Windsor Castle

Windsor

No trip to Windsor could possibly be complete without a visit to amazing Windsor Castle, the family home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years and today one of the official residences of His Majesty The King. Find out more!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1005 reviews
The Savill Garden

Egham

The Savill Garden is a garden of beauty and colour where visitors journey through 35 acres of interconnecting gardens. It offers year-round interest, an iconic visitor centre with restaurant, gallery café, gift shop and plant sales.
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
Changing the Guard

Windsor

The Changing of the Guard is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor. A band usually accompanies the guard march, although this is subject to weather conditions.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1055 reviews
Ascot Racecourse

Ascot

Ascot Racecourse welcomes more than 630,000 guests each year for a truly memorable day out. Alongside Royal Ascot they host an additional 21 racedays throughout the year, each with its own unique character, and several non-racing events including…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
24139 reviews
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

Windsor

For an awesome family day out this year, visit the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and experience the ultimate LEGO® adventure! Whether you are earning your very first driving licence behind the wheel of a LEGO car at the LEGO® City Driving School, riding…
Adventure Play

Englefield Green, Egham

Adventure Play is a unique, hand-crafted adventure playground at Windsor Great Park. Hidden within the woodland next to The Savill Garden, you’ll discover a fascinating world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1658 reviews
Windsor Great Park

Windsor Great Park, Windsor

Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, huge parts of which are open to the public. Windsor Great Park is the perfect place for picnics, eating, shopping, running, walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing. Families will love the children's play…
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1217 reviews
French Brothers Ltd

Windsor

French Brothers run boat trips on the River Thames from Windsor and Runnymede. Choose from a short return trip or a full-day cruise. French Brothers offer public, group and private cruises.
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
Golden Tours Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Tour of Windsor

Windsor

Explore the world famous town of Windsor and nearby Eton with a Golden Tours hop-on, hop-off open top bus tour.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
53 reviews
Windsor Tourist Guides Ltd

Windsor

Windsor Tourist Guides Ltd - a multi-award winning company based in Royal Windsor offering private guided tours of Windsor Castle and St George's Chapel and walking tours of Windsor.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1704 reviews
Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor

The Theatre Royal Windsor is a beautiful Edwardian theatre nestling between Windsor Castle and the River Thames and is the only unsubsidised producing theatre to operate all year round in Britain.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
496 reviews
Royal Windsor Racecourse

Windsor

Set on its own island and 165 acres of stunning Berkshire countryside, on the banks of the River Thames and in the shadow of Windsor Castle, Royal Windsor Racecourse’s vibrant atmosphere makes for a memorable and thrilling experience each and every…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
125 reviews
Dorney Court

Windsor

Visit Dorney Court, one of the country's finest stately homes. Lived in by the Palmer family since the 15th century, this Tudor manor house offers a fascinating and unique experience.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
191 reviews
Stanley Spencer Gallery

Maidenhead

The Stanley Spencer Gallery is situated in the heart of Cookham, the picturesque ‘village in heaven’ where Spencer was born and painted for most of his life.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
393 reviews
Escape In 60 Escape Rooms Windsor

Windsor

Escape in 60, Windsor offers three different escape room experiences. So, choose your team and get ready for an hour of mind-blowing excitement and exhilaration.
The Eton Walkway

Eton, Windsor

Situated just across the river from Windsor via a pedestrian footbridge, the town of Eton has a rich community and diverse heritage. The Eton Walkway, a 2 mile / one hour circular walk, connects 18 points of interest in the town starting at Windsor…
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
Bobbie Blue Badge

Windsor

Cheerful and experienced multi-lingual Blue Badge guide operating in the Thames and Chilterns and specialising in Windsor, Windsor Castle, Henley-on-Thames, Oxford and other Thames-side towns. In addition to traditional walking and coach tours…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
63 reviews
Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

Windsor

The Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is a family friendly museum bursting with interesting facts and interactive displays of East Berkshire.
External Links
- Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
120 reviews
Windsor Carriages

Windsor

Windsor Carriages invites you to experience the wonder of Windsor Great Park by horse-drawn carriage. All Tours Experience Views of Windsor Castle and The Long Walk.
WE Tourist Guides

Windsor

WE Tourist Guides is a professional guiding company offering colourful tailor-made tours and talks in Windsor, Windsor Castle, Eton, Henley, Marlow and the Thames and Chilterns, including the fictional "Midsomer Murders" country.