This is a question I get asked all the time, so you know what, it needs to be a blog post.

So you’re visiting Windsor, where do you want to eat, what will keep the kids entertained, where are the pretty bits? Well… let me tell you!

1. Windsor Castle – take a photo here!

Yes I know, it’s the obvious one. My recommendation is to go around the side where the Queen Victoria statue is, you can get lots of nice angles there without being worried about being run over by a car or bus.

If you really want, you can pay to go inside Windsor Castle. I have never done this, but apparently you can see lots of grand rooms.

2. The River Thames – go for a walk & an ice cream

There are sooooo many swans here, you will love a riverside walk. You can buy food to feed the swans at the ice cream place (you can’t miss it). I see people take boat trips – you can hire ones that you self-drive or go on one of the tours like the Windsor Duck Tour or French Brothers. There is also the TOOTbus tour if you prefer a land tour only.

3. Daniel Department Store’s Toy Department

There are lots of lovely shops along Peascod Street, but I definitely recommended Daniels for their amazing Toy Department. I am going to say its better than Hamleys! It’s on the upper floors and your kids could literally spend hours here. There’s a cute little train running along the ceiling too.

While you’re in Daniels, you can stop off for a coffee or lunch at one of the 3 restaurants:

– Foggs – the one with hot air balloons in the window, and a bean bag chill out area
– Garden of Eden – the vegan cafe at the end of kidswear, that has a small soft play area
– Heidi – on the ground floor with the best selection of pastries

4. Take the kids to a Windsor playground

There are two in the town centre:

Batchelor’s Acre playground is hidden behind Peascod Street. Go down the alley next to Kokoro (opposite Superdrug), walk past the back of TK Maxx and you’ll find the playground. Windsor Library is here too. In the summer months they sometimes put the fountains on if you want to let your kids have a splash.

Home Park playground – this is one nearer to Windsor & Eton Riverside station if you happen to be on that side.

5. Picnic Areas + Mini Funfair/Mini Golf

For a picnic, you can sit along the riverside, but if you walk further down through the railway arches, you will get to Baths Island which is always a bit more quieter and peaceful. Lovely spot to watch the boats.

Alexandra Gardens is also a nice place to have a picnic, with a view of Windsor Castle. At the far end there’s a permanent mini funfair and mini golf.

6. Photo spots

As well as Windsor Castle, you have to get a photo in front of the infamous Crooked House. It’s next to Windsor Museum, which must be the smallest museum in the world, but free to visit.

Walk further down and you’ll see an interesting Wishing Well to take a photo with, as well as a rare blue postbox.

7. Where to get a coffee/bubble tea/ice cream/donut

There are loads of places, but I can personally recommend these as I have actually visited them and they are nice to sit in:

Caffe Nero (small one in the station, bigger one on Peascod Street)

Black Sheep Coffee (small one in the station, bigger one on Peascod Street)

Foggs inside Daniels – hot air balloon decor, need I say more

Heidi in the station is nice to sit with a coffee at if you’re waiting for a train

Lazy Sundae – instagrammable and the quirkiest flavours of bubble tea and ice cream

Paeonia Bubble Tea Room – very instagrammable, so pretty and pink and floral! Strong flavoured bubble tea

Krispy Kreme cafe – we love sitting in the window with a donut

Dr Chocs – they’ve got a nice little garden to sit and have an ice cream/coffee

8. Where to eat!

If you want to actually eat in a restaurant, we have eaten lunch/dinner at these Windsor places and have had good experiences:

Yo Sushi (inside Daniels)

Foggs (inside Daniels)

Leaf at The Castle Hotel (the outdoor terrace area is beautiful)

Honest Burgers

Prezzo

Giggling Squid

Thai Square

Tortilla

There’s also a McDs opposite Windsor Castle if you want quick and easy though!
Pizza Express and Nandos are always busy, you’d have to book well in advance to get a table.

I hope you have found this useful! Getting to Windsor is easy by train. You can get the slow train from London Waterloo that takes you to Windsor and Eton Riverside Station. Or get the train from London Paddington, change at Slough and get the little train from Platform 1 to Windsor and Eton Central station (this is the better option!)

If driving, parking is expensive – there is no getting away from it. I usually park in the shopping centre car park (Windsor Yards).

Will you be visiting Windsor? Have you been to any of the places in this blog post?

Sabrina x

*disclosure – some places we have visited as a PR trip