Windsor and Maidenhead: Castle History, Gardens and Trails

Windsor and Maidenhead offer royal history, museums and expansive landscapes. Alongside Windsor Castle and St George’s Chapel, gardens, walking trails and nature reserves shape the area’s attractions. When planning, consider whether you mainly want to visit historic places, spend time outdoors or explore a range of museums and exhibitions: the attractions cover very different interests.

Castle, Chapel and Museums

Windsor Castle is considered the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and is open to visitors year-round. William the Conqueror founded the castle in the 11th century; since then, it has been home to 40 monarchs. Check the latest visitor information before travelling. St George’s Chapel, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture in England, is the burial place of eleven monarchs.

In Eton, the museums and gallery of the Eton College Collections are regularly open to the public on weekend afternoons. Admission is free on Sundays from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Arrangements may differ on public holidays and during exhibition changes, so check current opening hours before your visit. The Museum of Eton Life explores six centuries of learning, playing and living at Eton College; it is temporarily closed in 2026 due to building work.

The Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham offers guided walks exploring the artist’s life and work, as well as the village that inspired his vision of a “Village in Heaven”. A level entrance and a lift provide access to the exhibition area on the gallery level. The Maidenhead Heritage Centre is dedicated to the history of Maidenhead and the Air Transport Auxiliary. During the Second World War, the latter’s wartime headquarters were at White Waltham Airfield. The museum also displays artefacts connected with Maidenhead and the surrounding area, from AD 100 to the present day. The permanent exhibition “Grandma Flew Spitfires” includes a Spitfire simulator.

The Windsor Guildhall Museum tells the story of Windsor and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Interactive displays and an audio trail featuring stories from local residents offer further insight into the region.

Gardens, Parkland and Walking Trails

Windsor Great Park is designated a Grade I park and garden and is registered for its special historic interest. The park is open year-round from 7 am until dusk. Admission to the public areas is free, except for Savill Garden; parking charges apply. Opening times, access and charges may change, so it is advisable to check the latest visitor information. The park is home to ancient oaks, some of which are up to 1,000 years old. The Deer Park is home to around 500 red deer; their numbers may change over time.

The gardens also differ considerably in their size and design. Savill Garden covers 35 acres of gardens, woodland and seasonal displays. The Valley Gardens extend across 250 acres of rolling valleys, where azaleas, magnolias and exotic flowers can be seen. The comparison in size highlights the different scale of the two garden areas, while their distinctive plants and landscapes give each its own character.

The five-kilometre Long Walk is bordered by lawns and a double avenue of horse chestnut and plane trees. The avenue dates back to 1685: Charles II originally had an avenue of oaks and elms planted, which he used for walks and deer hunting in the Great Park. If you would rather follow a circular route linking several points of interest, the two-mile Eton Walkway takes in 18 of them.

Dorney Lake offers a different kind of landscape: its 400-acre site includes an arboretum, meadows and a nature reserve. It also serves as a rowing course and a venue for various activities. The rowing course is 2,200 metres long. A level, paved circular path runs alongside it for three miles and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The site is open seasonally; check access information before your visit.

The Royal Borough has more than 23 wildlife areas, including designated Local Nature Reserves. They are free to access, though access and conditions may change. If you plan to visit natural areas, check the situation at each one before you go.

Events and Special Attractions

The Royal Windsor Horse Show has been held annually since 1943. Its international competitions include show jumping, dressage, driving and eventing. Royal Windsor Racecourse is situated on its own island and covers 165 acres of countryside in the county of Berkshire. It can be reached from Windsor town centre by riverboat, which docks at the racecourse’s private landing stage. River services operate around race meetings; check the available sailings for your dates.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort offers more than 55 rides and attractions; the selection may change. The resort is two miles from Windsor town centre. A shuttle bus, which charges a fare, runs from stops near both Windsor railway stations. As services and fares may change, check the details before travelling. Adventure Play, a handcrafted children’s playground, is also located in the centre of Windsor Great Park.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hurley, Sunninghill, Sunningdale, Wraysbury, Ascot, Maidenhead, Windsor, Cookham, Datchet, Old Windsor.

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