10 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN WINDSOR DURING WINTER

Windsor is alive and active all-year-round! Winter in Windsor offers fresh, clean air and beautiful night skies, spectacular winter walks and plenty of wildlife as you near The Great Park and The River Thames. Whilst the sun is fairly dormant, we recommend wrapping up warm when visiting Windsor, to get the most out of your outdoor explorations. Then settle in in one of Windsor’s many fantastic pubs for a warming tipple and a moreish bite.

We’ve put together a top 10 selection of outdoor and indoor activities in Windsor and the surrounding area that will keep you and your family entertained! Whether you live locally or are planning a short winter break, we hope that the Royal Borough is the perfect place for you and your loved ones to celebrate this magical season.

Windsor Great Park Illuminated

A new addition to Windsor this year is the Windsor Great Park Illuminated – a beautiful display of festive-themed lights along a very special trail. The event promises a magical evening, as the woodland and waters of Windsor Great Park come alive with remarkable lights, dancing stars and breath-taking projections.

This multi-sensory journey will leave you and your fellow adventurers in moments of awe at the fantastic displays, including the fountains of flowers, woodland creature holograms and amazing laser-scape! It’s the perfect opportunity to jazz up your Instagram feed and capture those memory-making moments with loved ones!

Make a splash on Windsor Duck Tours

(Ok, we might be a little biased here…) If you’re looking for an activity your kids will not stop talking about, then we have the answer! Windsor Duck Tours is a unique, 60-minute road & river tour that captivates both young and old. The fascination of a bus that floats will keep the children easily entertained for the whole trip, and we’d even dare to say you’ll enjoy it too! We recommend the Swan Splash tour for children as you spend more time on the River – which they seem to love! We now have blankets on board to keep you and your flock toasty while you snap your best shot of Windsor Castle from the water.

Try an Escape Experience

Escape rooms are all the craze right now, and a perfect family activity if you’re looking for something to do indoors. At Escape Experience Windsor you can pick from four different themes, Crown Jewel Heist, Area 51, Caved In and the newest room The Lost Mask of Tlaloc. They get very busy during the festive season, so booking in advance is a must. Worried about locked doors? Unlike other escape rooms, in the Crown Jewel Heist room you won’t be locked in, which is why it’s great for first-time Escapees and families!

Each year the Escape team go all out on decorations, whether it be lights, trees, reindeers (or polar bears!) it’s always entertaining to see their festive window displays! So, even if escape rooms aren’t for you, pop by to see their creative efforts, and maybe even pick up a gift card!

Windsor and Eton Living Advent Calendar

Enjoy a different 15-minute live performance every evening of Advent with the Windsor and Eton Living Advent Calendar. Performances will range from songs, carols, music, poetry, book excerpts and creative arts at various locations in Windsor and Eton (usually followed by some Christmas-themed nibbles for guests).

Feeling lucky? Visit Windsor Racecourse

Around 2004-2005, whilst Ascot was closed for redevelopment, the Royal Windsor Racecourse took over some of its fixtures. Windsor hit the headlines in October 2012 when champion jockey Richard Hughes rode seven winners in one afternoon. Why not head down for the last meet of the season? Such a fun day out with the family but be sure to wrap up warm!

Legoland at Christmas

Join LEGOLAND Windsor as we celebrate the most special time of the year with Legoland at Christmas. They have over 25 rides, live shows ad attractions for you and the whole family to enjoy. Over Christmas they light up the resort, transforming the park into a winter wonderland, complete with the twinkling of lights, snow-dusted trees, and of course a sprinkling of Lego magic! Check out their Christmas offer here.

Shopping in the Royal Borough

If you’re a bit like us and sometimes leave your Christmas present shopping to the last minute, Windsor is the place for you to track down the perfect gift for your loved ones. From top high street brands to smaller independent shops and festive Christmas market stalls, Windsor has got you covered.

Visit Windsor Castle

If you haven’t been before, take a trip to the most famous castle in the world, Windsor Castle, decked with twinkling lights, garlands and shimmering Christmas trees to celebrate the festive season. The highlight will be the magnificent 20-foot Nordmann fir tree in St George’s Hall, taken from Windsor Great Park, and a special display of costumes worn by Her Majesty The Queen and Princess Margaret during wartime pantomimes.

Spend the evening with Theatre Royal

With a company that has 200 years experience under its belt, Theatre Royal Windsor is a truly great place to spend your winter evenings. With amazing performances running throughout the festive period, it is definitely worth getting the family together to see one of their shows. For an entertaining Christmas treat, catch their annual pantomime – this year it’s the fantastic story of Jack and the Beanstalk!

Go out for Lunch/Dinner

Sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about who’s cooking, especially over the holiday period. As a local family run business, we have fantastic knowledge of where to eat. Patch-On-The-Plaza, our sister business, is a cosy, family-run al fresco restaurant with plenty of heaters and blankets, social seating, friendly staff and seasonal cocktails to die for.If you fancy an Italian evening, why not check out Sebastian’s. The Duchess of Cambridge have some of the friendliest staff in Windsor, plus a great tasty menu. Looking for something by the river?  We recommend The Boatman Windsor, or for a view of Windsor Castle, check out the Royal Windsor!

Parking in Windsor

There will be free parking from 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout December (14, 16, 21 and 23 December). Car parks included: Alma Road, Alexandra Gardens. King Edward VII, Romney Lock/Home Park, Victoria Street and York House.