I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack. Be afraid. Be very afraid....
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack. Be afraid. Be very afraid....
Member since:22.02.2001
Reviews:166
Members who trust:29
Nice to look at, a bugger to park in, Windsor's my local love/hate relationship.
Home to a stonkingly old castle, Windsor is a gem of a town. The Thames deigns to wander gently between it and Eton, the buildings are chock full of character and beauty, and the very air is imbued with majestic history.
Obviously, the shops around here aren't too shabby either. They range from the exclusive to your general high street shops, there are those that are aimed at the tourists (but thankfully they aren't tacky to the eye)and they are also well served for watering holes and restaurants.
*PARKING*
Parking can be a problem unless you get there early. A large multi-storey car park called King Edward VII's is the
closest to the heart of the town, and gives you access via the shopping precinct. There are pay and display jobs dotted around the base of the hill (oh yes, the castle by nature is at the top of a hill, and this one is quite steep) but space is at a premium in these. Traffic police are prevalent here, and any dodgey parking WILL be picked up on. Especially on the plentiful residential roads.
*CASTLE*
The castle is open to tours and the cost of entry averaged out at about £10 per person when I last did the touristy thing (about 2 yrs ago), but I'm sure the website would give you up to date details.
For this you can tour St. George's chapel, some of the State Apartments, and the internal grounds. Soldiers are on display in traditional uniform, complete with Bearskins and very loud vocal chords. Should you step over lines in any marked off areas, you will be shouted at. As one young Japanese girl found out when she tried to get close enough for a photograph. I'm sure he hated to do it, but these are for security reasons and I hope she didn't take it personally.
Access to the exhibits in State Apartments is conducted at a constantly moving slow pace. You are encouraged to keep walking rather than to stand and stare, purely because of keeping outside queues down. You might get lucky and hit the castle during a quiet time, but other than that, don't expect to be allowed to dawdle.
*ETON*
Nearby Eton is also worth a visit. None of the school buildings, nor the school itself is open to visitors, but the buildings are beautiful to look at. It's a slightly strange mixture of quaintness and grandeur, and the streets are tiny as is the place. You could do it all in an hour. Unless you're looking at the shops. A very nice selection and not at all like your average high street. Great book shops, antique shops and a smattering of galleries. There's also a Teddy Bear shop that is totally irresistable. Parking here is worse than Windsor, so I'd recommend you simply cross over the Thames on the pedestrianised bridge.
*GREEN SPACE*
Windsor Great Park is huge. Oceans of green space for the kiddies to run about it, but be warned that a well-used road runs through the middle of it. This gives access to Virgina Water, Ascot, Legoland and surrounding villages so it can get busy with cars. As well as containing private royal residences, it's also home to the Kennedy Memorial, Savill Gardens and Runnymede (King John, Magna Carta and all that, but it's an indeterminate place so I don't think you'll find an indication of where it was signed. What was that? At the bottom? Oh yes, very good.)
*OTHER ATTRACTIONS*
Windsor Leisure Pool is crammed with fun slides and wave machines which kiddies will love.
Wax work museum in the old railway station, which the family will love.
Good Bier Keller and Pubs which the parents will love.
*HOSPITALS etc*
It's got a couple of good hospitals, both of which I've had to use - one for the birth of my daughters (Princess Margaret's, private and very plush), and the other, King Edward VII's for the less happy occasions with said two accident-prone daughters.
There is a busy police station which because of the town's royal connections, takes the business of security very seriously. They are also nice and friendly, but please take care that you don't leave bags and things unattended as a reaction is guaranteed.
*ROADS*
Windsor is situated just off the M4, junctions 5 or 6. The local A roads can be very busy, and the road that runs close to the castle is one way, although it's not a confusing system and you can find your way back round if you need to.
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Advantages: Picturesque and unusual town centre, variety of shops, sightseeing opportunities, restaurants Disadvantages: Very busy in high season, expensive to visit the castle, can be difficult to park
Pumpkin 01.07.2001 ·
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Review of Windsor in General
Advantages: Picturesque and unusual town centre, variety of shops, sightseeing opportunities, restaurants Disadvantages: Very busy in high season, expensive to visit the castle, can be difficult to park
Pumpkin 01.07.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Windsor in General
Sep 7th, 2001
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