# Windsor The oldest inhabited castle in the world, a boat on the Thames and the Long Walk avenue, about 35 minutes by train from London. With LEGOLAND next door. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/england/windsor · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Windsor is the shortest day trip from London: half an hour by train and you are standing before the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, one of the King's residences. The town is small and can be covered on foot in a day: the castle in the morning, a boat on the Thames, the walk across the bridge to Eton and, if there is light left, the great avenue of the Long Walk. With children, LEGOLAND is three kilometres away. ## How do you get there from London? By train. From London Paddington, Great Western Railway reaches Windsor & Eton Central changing at Slough: about 35 minutes in all, with departures almost every 20 minutes. From London Waterloo there are direct trains to Windsor & Eton Riverside, with no change and a little slower. Both stations are five minutes' walk from the castle. By car, it is about 40 km from central London on the M4, between 45 minutes and an hour without traffic. Parking in central Windsor is expensive and scarce at weekends. From Heathrow, Windsor is about 20 minutes by road: if your flight arrives or departs from there, it can be your first or last stop. ## What to see in a day Enter the castle first thing, before the groups from London arrive: the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls' House and St George's Chapel (which is closed to visitors on Sundays). It takes about two and a half hours. Then walk down the cobbled streets of Church Street to the river and board the 40-minute boat trip with French Brothers, which goes as far as Boveney Lock and back with the best view of the castle. Cross the footbridge to Eton, with its street of antique shops and the school at the far end. In the afternoon, the Long Walk: the straight avenue that leaves the castle to the south, four kilometres to the statue of the Copper Horse, although half an hour is enough for the view. With children aged 2 to 12, replace the afternoon, or the whole day, with LEGOLAND. ## When to go Spring and autumn, on weekdays, are ideal. In summer and at weekends, the castle fills up by mid-morning. Some days the castle closes for official events: check before you buy. LEGOLAND opens daily from March to early November and in winter only for events. ## How much does it cost? The castle is £32 per adult if bought in advance and £16 per child aged 5 to 17; on the day, more. LEGOLAND, from £32 online. The Long Walk and Eton are free. Eating in the centre costs £15–30 per person. ## Dónde está - Zonas: Bridgerton filming locations in England, LEGO and Playmobil - Cerca: London (a 33.5 km), Oxford (a 53.9 km), Brighton and the Seven Sisters (a 80.4 km), Cotswolds (a 90.8 km) ## Qué hacer - **Windsor Castle** (2 h 30 · All ages · In advance: adult £32, ages 18 to 24 £21, children aged 5 to 17 £16; on the day, £36, £24 and £18; under-5s free): The oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and home to 40 monarchs. The visit takes in the State Apartments, with paintings from the Royal Collection, Queen Mary's Dolls' House and St George's Chapel, where Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II are buried. In advance, the ticket costs £32 per adult and £16 per child aged 5 to 17; on the day, £36 and £18. You can convert it to a one-year pass for free. It closes on some days for official events and St George's Chapel is not open to visitors on Sundays, when there are services: check the calendar on the website before choosing a date. - **40-minute boat trip on the Thames from Windsor** (40 min · All ages): French Brothers, a Thames passenger-boat company, departs from Windsor Promenade, the riverside walk, on a short 40-minute trip: it goes up to Boveney Lock and back, passing Eton College, the racecourse and Brocas Meadows. The view of the castle from the river is the best there is. It has commentary, a bar and toilets on board, and boats leave frequently during the day, so it fits in between other visits. For something longer there are two-hour cruises with lunch. Check the sailing days on their website, which change with the season. - **The Long Walk, from the castle to the Copper Horse statue** (1 h · 4.2 km · All ages; pushchair on the avenue · Free): A straight avenue of trees that leaves from the castle's south gate and crosses Windsor Great Park to Snow Hill, where an equestrian statue of George III, the Copper Horse, looks back towards the castle. It is about 4 km each way, flat until the end; the last stretch climbs and enters the deer park. Windsor Great Park is also a filming location for Bridgerton: according to Netflix's filming guide, in the second series its woods and meadows are the grounds of Aubrey Hall, where Anthony and Kate cross paths on horseback and go to fetch the pall-mall ball. Netflix does not say in which exact corner of the park it was filmed, so the Long Walk is a way of setting foot in it, not the specific scene. It is free, open every day and gives the best photo of the castle, especially on the way back, in the afternoon light. With small children you don't need to go all the way: the first 20 minutes already give you the view. With a dog, on a lead in the deer area. - **LEGOLAND Windsor Resort** (7 h · Ages 2 to 12 · One-day ticket from £32 when bought online): The LEGO amusement park about 3 km from the centre of Windsor: gentle roller coasters, boats, giant figures made of bricks, a Miniland with miniature cities and play areas. It is designed for children aged 2 to 12; teenagers get bored quickly. The main season runs from March to early November, with the park open every day from 10:00 to 16:30 or 17:00. In winter it closes, except for special weekends such as LEGOLAND at Christmas. Online, tickets start at £32, much cheaper than at the ticket office. Check on their website how to get there from the centre of Windsor and the stations. - **Crossing the bridge to Eton** (1 h · All ages, with a pushchair · Free along the streets): On the other side of the Thames, joined to Windsor by a footbridge, is Eton, a village with a single high street of old shops that ends at Eton College, the boarding school that produced many prime ministers. From the street you can see the Gothic chapel and the brick courtyards, and with luck, pupils in their tailcoats. Crossing the bridge, walking up Eton High Street to the college and back is a flat one-hour stroll. From the bridge you get one of the best views of the castle over the river. Visits to the inside of the college have their own days and booking. ## Dónde comer - **The Two Brewers** (Bar, Windsor, €€). Qué pedir: the Sunday roast, or a pub dish with a pint after the Long Walk. - **Clarence Brasserie & Tea Room** (Restaurant, Windsor, €€). Qué pedir: a plate of pasta at midday or afternoon tea with scones after the castle. ## By plane: Fly to Heathrow, twenty minutes from Windsor Windsor is the destination closest to Heathrow, London's big airport, with direct flights from many Spanish cities: by car or taxi it is about 20 minutes away. If you arrive at another airport, go through central London and take the Paddington train, changing at Slough, or the Waterloo one. Windsor is explored on foot. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Castle Hotel Windsor** (Hotel): The house A historic hotel right on the High Street, opposite the castle. It has rooms in the main house and in an annexe, The Mews, a restaurant, Penningtons, a bar and afternoon tea. It is the way to stay in Windsor with the castle a minute away. Who it's for For a night in Windsor without a car, with the castle first thing before the coaches arrive from London. It welcomes dogs on its dog friendly breaks, with the Long Walk five minutes away. With children, it is a good base for LEGOLAND the next day. Getting there Both Windsor stations, Central and Riverside, are a five-minute walk. The French Brothers boat leaves from the riverside walk, at the same distance. If you come by car, ask about parking when you book: the centre has little and it is expensive. - **Harte & Garter Hotel** (Hotel): The house A historic hotel in the centre of Windsor, opposite the castle wall, a two-minute walk from the visitor entrance. What sets it apart are the rooms with a view of the castle, and that it has rooms for four people, which is unusual in the centre. The rooms There are many types: standard and cosy, the simplest; executive, also for four; and deluxe, with a view of the castle or the courtyard, including an accessible one with a view. When you book, ask for the one facing the wall. Check-out is at 10:00, early by Spanish habits. Getting there Windsor & Eton Central and Riverside stations are a five-minute walk away. Everything else, the castle, the Long Walk, the boat and the Eton bridge, is also on foot. For LEGOLAND, check on their website how to get there from the centre. ### Servicios - **Windsor & Eton Central and Riverside stations**: From Paddington, changing at Slough, about 35 minutes (the fastest 22). From Waterloo, a direct train to Riverside. Both are five minutes from the castle. ## Car-free: Train from Paddington or Waterloo and Windsor on foot Windsor is the shortest excursion from London: about 35 minutes by train from Paddington, changing at Slough, or a direct train from Waterloo. Everything worth seeing is on foot from the two stations, and the car is only useful for LEGOLAND. Presupuesto orientativo: 120–200 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **Castle Hotel Windsor** (Hotel): The house A historic hotel right on the High Street, opposite the castle. It has rooms in the main house and in an annexe, The Mews, a restaurant, Penningtons, a bar and afternoon tea. It is the way to stay in Windsor with the castle a minute away. Who it's for For a night in Windsor without a car, with the castle first thing before the coaches arrive from London. It welcomes dogs on its dog friendly breaks, with the Long Walk five minutes away. With children, it is a good base for LEGOLAND the next day. Getting there Both Windsor stations, Central and Riverside, are a five-minute walk. The French Brothers boat leaves from the riverside walk, at the same distance. If you come by car, ask about parking when you book: the centre has little and it is expensive. - **Harte & Garter Hotel** (Hotel): The house A historic hotel in the centre of Windsor, opposite the castle wall, a two-minute walk from the visitor entrance. What sets it apart are the rooms with a view of the castle, and that it has rooms for four people, which is unusual in the centre. The rooms There are many types: standard and cosy, the simplest; executive, also for four; and deluxe, with a view of the castle or the courtyard, including an accessible one with a view. When you book, ask for the one facing the wall. Check-out is at 10:00, early by Spanish habits. Getting there Windsor & Eton Central and Riverside stations are a five-minute walk away. Everything else, the castle, the Long Walk, the boat and the Eton bridge, is also on foot. For LEGOLAND, check on their website how to get there from the centre. ### Servicios - **Windsor & Eton Central and Riverside stations**: From Paddington, changing at Slough, about 35 minutes (the fastest 22). From Waterloo, a direct train to Riverside. Both are five minutes from the castle. ## With young children: With the little ones: a short boat trip, a flat avenue and LEGO With children up to six, Windsor suits well: short distances, a flat avenue for the pushchair and a boat trip that lasts just as long as they can put up with. The castle is a long visit for them; LEGOLAND is the all-day plan. ### What works best 40-minute boat trip from Windsor Promenade The Long Walk, just the first 20 minutes LEGOLAND Windsor, designed for them ### Where to stay Harte & Garter, a room for four with a view of the castle ### Where to eat Clarence Brasserie, two minutes from the castle ### Bear in mind At the castle, under-5s go in free, but the visit is long The pushchair does well on the High Street and the Long Walk LEGOLAND online is much cheaper than at the ticket office ### Qué hacer with young children - 40-minute boat trip on the Thames from Windsor - The Long Walk, from the castle to the Copper Horse statue - LEGOLAND Windsor Resort ## As a family: Castle, boat and LEGOLAND in the same town Windsor is the easiest excursion from London with children: the train is short, everything is close and there is something for every age. The castle hooks the over-7s; the boat and the Long Walk, everyone; LEGOLAND, ages 2 to 12. ### What works best Windsor Castle, free for under-5s 40-minute boat trip on the Thames The Long Walk, with deer at the end LEGOLAND, from March to early November ### Where to stay Harte & Garter, with rooms for four Castle Hotel Windsor, opposite the castle ### Where to eat Clarence Brasserie, with no age limit A picnic on the Long Walk ### Bear in mind At The Two Brewers children can only sit outside LEGOLAND closes in winter except for special events St George's Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays ### Qué hacer as a family - Windsor Castle - 40-minute boat trip on the Thames from Windsor - The Long Walk, from the castle to the Copper Horse statue - LEGOLAND Windsor Resort - Crossing the bridge to Eton ## Consejos ### Enter the castle at opening time The first visitors see the apartments without crowds. ### Check the castle's calendar It closes on some days for royal events. ### Choose a station according to your London hotel Paddington with a change at Slough, or Waterloo direct. ### Come back along the Long Walk at sunset The afternoon light falls straight onto the castle. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Can you go to Windsor for half a day from London? Yes. With a 35-minute train, a morning is enough for the castle and a stroll; the whole day, for the boat, Eton and the Long Walk. ### How much does it cost to enter Windsor Castle? £32 per adult in advance and £36 on the day; children aged 5 to 17, £16 and £18; under-5s, free. ### Is the castle open every day? Almost all year, but it closes on some days for official events; St George's Chapel does not open to visitors on Sundays. ### Is LEGOLAND in Windsor? Yes, about 3 km from the centre. It opens daily from March to early November. ### Which London station suits me best? Paddington, changing at Slough, is the fastest; Waterloo has direct trains to Riverside.