I have visited Windsor on two occasions now (well, twice that I remember – I actually lived in Maidenhead as a baby and was probably taken on shopping trips there whilst in my pram!) The first time was for a relatively flying visit whilst staying with a friend in Feltham, and the second was on a day trip with my Mum and Dad. Having lived close by for a number years I thought they would appreciate a trip down memory lane, and I had enjoyed my first outing to Windsor so decided to suggest a visit!

From this area, you go up some steps into the station area. I really liked Windsor station. It is a fully functioning British Rail (or Railtrack or whatever they are now called!) station, but is very old-fashioned and looks like it should have steam trains pulling up at the platforms! It is integrated right into the shopping area which again is handy for day trippers. It is not a mainline station, so the shopping area doesn’t get taken over by train travellers every time a train comes in! Toilets can be found in the station area, but it is worth noting that it costs 20p to use them! The station area also contains a number of shops – mainly the more exclusive ones, such as Liberty, Crabtree and Evelyn, Droopy and Browns and a number of shops selling unusual trinkets and gifts. There are several restaurants and cafes in this area, including Café Rouge and the Covent Garden Soup Company. Many have outside seating and I would imagine it is a lively area in the evenings. There are also a few little market stalls selling unusual jewellery, candles and soaps.

Windsor Castle is a striking feature of the Town Centre, looming impressively above you and visible almost no matter where you are in the town! I hadn’t appreciated prior to my visit the way it was situated completely in the centre of the town, imagining it to be some way away from the shops and station, but it is actually as if the town has grown up around it and in some ways it seems a little strange to turn one way and see McDonalds and Marks and Spencers, then turn the other way to see one of the most familiar and imposing British historical buildings. We didn’t visit the castle as the price seemed a little extortionate (around £10 for adults if I remember correctly) and this was not the main purpose of the visit as we don’t have a particular interest in royalty, but would perhaps have had a look had the price been more reasonable. The presence of the castle gives rise to the inevitable tacky gift shops selling policeman’s helmets an postcards of Princess Diana, and a plethora of tourists, particularly Americans, which does lead to it being extremely crowded, especially in the height of the tourist season, so if you are easily irritated by crowds of people and loud voices it may be best to schedule your visit outside of this time.

There are many restaurants in the town centre, with one particular road, just off the high street, containing just about every well known chain you could think of: Pizza Hut, McDonalds, BK, Bella Pasta, Beefeater, plus Chinese and Indian options. There are, of course, more expensive restaurants in the area towards Eton, so there is something to suit every pocket.

I can’t comment on the nightlife in Windsor as I have only ever been on day trips, but I should imagine it is a beautiful place at night, with the castle illuminated and dominating the area. As previously mentioned, the station area is probably quite lively, but presumably the locals know the better places to go and would steer clear of the tourists if at all possible!