Windsor and Eton - The Royal Connection!
When traveling to London over a period of around 2 weeks, you have various options for things to do. You are literally spoilt for choice – you can spend your time relaxing in the lovely parks of London, you can go sightseeing, you can go drink different varieties of beer and relish foods from around the world, or you narrow down on a couple of weekend destinations around the city and go visit those. Browse through our website and you’ll find articles covering almost all that I just talked about above. This one as you’ve guessed already, is where I tell you about my trip to Windsor and Eton.
Windsor makes for a lovely day trip or weekend getaway from London. From a cosmopolitan metro with its rush and hustle bustle, you can escape to a quiet and tranquil haven in less than an hour.
(More than a sneak preview of the Castle)
Windsor has two train stations – the main one is the Windsor Central or the Windsor Royal Station. Trains come in here from Heathrow, Gatwick and Paddington. The other one, Windsor and Eton riverside is a comparably smaller station where trains come in from Waterloo station. This is the station I arrived at. Walking out of here gives an instant larger than life view of the castle so you’re almost instantly taken in by this town.
By road this journey can be completed in around half an hour. Windsor lies to the west of London and the journey from West London to Windsor can be completed in less than twenty minutes on the M4 Motorway which passes just outside of Heathrow.
(Transitioning - Leaves Starting To Turn Yellow)
Being in such close proximity of London, we would be foolish to expect drastic climatic variations, or any at all. July to September are the summer months which I guarantee are the best months to visit the UK and European sub continent. The air had a nice nip in it but the sun was shining bright. October to Feb are the coldest months and rain is highly unpredictable across UK.
Windsor Castle is the oldest and the largest occupied castle in the world today. For around 1000 years, many members of royalty have successfully inhabited this castle. It was built by William the Conqueror in the 1070’s and has since then been home to a long line of successors some of whom were responsible for adding more elements to the royal castle.
Windsor Castle
The castle is the primary attraction of the town of Windsor and stands tall almost in the centre of this town. A walk through the castle takes you back in time several years, multiple generations. The feeling of touching the ancient walls is magical. The entire structure of the castle is magnificent and imposing at the same time. The Windsor castle has various buildings, each as spectacular as the other – the main castle, Queen Mary’s doll house, St George’s chapel and the State Apartments. Entry fee into the castle is around 15 pounds and allows you into all parts of the castle.
(The Windsor Castle - Standing Imposingly Tall)
(At The Crossroads)
(Olden Day's Defence Mechanism)
The castle, like all others, was protected with heavy security. Back in the times when there were no guns, a bow and arrow was positioned in the above gap thereby keeping the soldiers safe and yet able to attack the approaching enemy. The castle was also surrounded by a rather large moat which has today been converted into beautiful gardens.
(What the castle moat now looks like)
(View From The Castle)
(Ivy Covered Castle Walls)
(In here lies the most enchanting dollhouse ever)
Photography is banned inside Queen Mary’s dollhouse but it was by far my most favourite part of the castle. A highly intricate and elaborate doll house coupled with high end fashion for dolls make this one unmissable. It was definitely my lucky day that day as the East Terrace of the castle otherwise always closed and belonging to the ‘no trespassing zone’ of the castle, was open that day. My friend who was accompanying me had been to the castle three times before and never been there until then.
(The East Terrace)
(The Castle In All It's Glory)
(Neatly Manicured Lawns)
After exploring the castle’s grandeur on the inside – ancient furniture, wall carvings, coat of arms on ceilings, etcetera, we proceeded to St George’s Chapel.
Another plus point of the Windsor Castle is that the change of guards ceremony here can be seen from up close and personal. You can stand right next to the guards and even touch them as is not the case when you visit the Buckingham palace in London.
(Going back in time – a lady selling flowers and chocolates)
Once you’re done seeing the Windsor Castle, walk around – there are lovely shops, pubs and parks to walk by. Definitely do the River Thames walk. There’s a lovely walkway made running the length of the river. Here you can watch the swans, enjoy the silence and the cool breeze and just people watch.
When in UK, frequent the pubs. From lovely Irish brews, to succulent steaks to melt in the mouth mash potatoes – they have it all. With various options to eat, you can grab a meal to go – sandwiches, hotdogs or salads from ‘EAT’ (a popular health food chain) and go and enjoy them on the benches down by the river. There are also some lovely cafes overlooking the Thames.
(Sweet and Savoury – Oh so Heavenly)
The Windsor Central station is huge and has around 40 bars and restaurants. Do not miss out on another popular patisserie chain – Pattisserie Valerie. They’re known for their mouth wateringly divine desserts but I can vouch for their salads, sandwiches and pastas too.
(Shop windows lead up all the way to the Victorian building of the main train station)
Second home to the Royal family does not necessarily mean that the Royal family shops here but you’d be surprised to see the number of high end designer stores located here. Global brands, designer labels and high end fashion rubs shoulders with quaint local art and craft at the Windor Royal Shopping arcade in the Maidenhead area.
(Artsy Fartsy Eton)
Eton :
Famous for the Eton College, Eton is almost as pretty as Windsor. Just across a bridge from Windsor, Eton has lovely bylanes, quaint cafes and above all the largest number of art stores I have ever seen down one single road. When in Windsor, pop into Eton to check out the college which has schooled a large part of the British upper crust as well as dissidents like George Orwell and Aldous Huxley.
Legoland :
For those interested in theme parks, Legoland is definitely a unique one. With over 55 rides and a lot of family fun, you’ll be amazed at what can be built with Lego bricks. For those who have the time and inclination, do go check this out.
A day trip from London to Windsor should cost you around 50 GBP per person. This is inclusive of transport, Castle entry and meals. Hotels are available to stay the night but most people visit for the day. Infact Windsor is one of those places you want to keep coming back to over and over.
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