Things to do in Windsor with kids: insider day trip guide (+ hidden gems)

Last updated: February 2026

Windsor is one of the best day trips from London with kids – and it’s so much more than just the castle. Just 40 minutes from central London, this royal town offers everything from the world’s oldest inhabited castle to a hand-crafted adventure playground hidden in ancient woodland.

We live just 35 minutes away but have spent many a day exploring Windsor with R over the last 13 months. It’s got a slower, more relaxed pace compared to London (albeit pretty busy during peak summer months and best to avoid during royal events) – perfect for families who want a bit of history, some great food, and plenty of green space.

In this complete Windsor family guide:

How to get to Windsor from London

Windsor is incredibly easy to reach from London, making it one of the most accessible royal day trips from the capital. Whether you’re traveling by train or car, the journey is straightforward enough for families with young children.

Getting to Windsor by train from London

You’ve got two train options to reach Windsor, and both are suitable for families:

London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (via Slough, 30-35 minutes)

This is the faster route. Trains depart every 20-30 minutes from Paddington, and you’ll change at Slough for the short branch line to Windsor. The connection at Slough is on the same platform or just across — very straightforward even with pushchairs.

The journey from Paddington to Slough takes about 15-20 minutes, then it’s another 5-10 minutes to Windsor. When you arrive at Windsor & Eton Central, you’re literally at the foot of Windsor Castle — it’s one of the prettiest station arrivals in the UK.

Ticket prices: Expect to pay around £12-20 per adult for a return ticket (children 5-15 are cheaper, under 5s travel free). Book in advance for the best prices.

London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside (direct, 53-56 minutes)

This direct service is operated by South Western Railway and requires no changes, making it simpler if you’re traveling with lots of little ones, pushchairs, or luggage. Trains run every 30 minutes.

The journey takes slightly longer but you can settle in without worrying about connections. The Riverside station is at the bottom of the hill below the castle — about a 5-10 minute walk up to the town centre.

Which train should you take?

• Choose Paddington if you want the fastest journey and are staying in West London
• Choose Waterloo if you have lots of bags, or you’re staying in South/Southwest London
• Both stations in Windsor are less than 10 minutes walk from each other, so you can mix and match on the return journey

Getting to Windsor by car from London

Driving to Windsor takes around 40 minutes from central London via the M4 motorway (exit at Junction 6). It’s a straightforward drive, but do factor in extra time during rush hour (typically 7:30-9:30am and 4:30-6:30pm on weekdays).

Best parking in Windsor:

From personal experience living nearby, Alexandra Gardens Car Park is hands-down the best option. We’ve never struggled to get a space here, even on summer weekends. It’s a short 5 minute walk to the castle and town centre.

Other parking options:

• Windsor & Eton Riverside Station Car Park (generally good value)
• Victoria Street Car Park (can fill up on Saturdays)
• River Street Car Park (central but busy)

Arrive before 10am on weekends for the best chance of getting a space in the town centre car parks.

Windsor Castle with kids: everything you need to know

Windsor Castle is the star attraction and genuinely lives up to the hype. As the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world (and one of the King’s official residences), it offers a fascinating glimpse into royal history that even young children find engaging.

Windsor Castle tickets and prices (2026)

Book your tickets in advance on the Royal Collection Trust website — entry is timed in half-hour slots throughout the day.

Windsor Castle admission prices:

• Adult (25+): £35 gate / £31 online (save £4 by booking ahead)
• Youth (18-24): £23 gate / £20 online
• Child (5-17): £17.50 gate / £15.50 online
• Under 5s: FREE
• Family tickets: Available for 2 adults + 2-3 children (better value for families)

What’s included in your Windsor Castle ticket

Your admission includes:

• Entry to the State Apartments (the King’s official state rooms)
• St George’s Chapel (where Queen Elizabeth II is buried)
• Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House (a perfectly detailed miniature palace)
• The castle grounds and gardens
• Free multimedia audio guide (available in 10 languages)
• Free family multimedia guide featuring Scorch the dragon (for ages 7-11)

How long to spend at Windsor Castle with children

With young kids (under 5): 1.5-2 hours is realistic. They’ll enjoy seeing the castle, the chapel, and walking around the grounds, but won’t have the patience for the full State Apartments tour.

With school-age children (5-12): 2-3 hours. The audio guide keeps them engaged, and there’s enough variety to maintain interest.

With teenagers: 3-4 hours if they’re into history. The State Apartments are genuinely impressive and packed with royal treasures.

Practical tips for visiting Windsor Castle with kids

✓ Pushchairs: You can use pushchairs around the castle grounds, but you’ll need to park them before entering the State Apartments. There’s secure buggy parking available.

✓ Toilets and baby changing: Available near the entrance and at intervals around the site. There’s also a dedicated family bathroom with changing facilities.

✓ Food: No food is allowed inside the State Apartments or chapel, but you can eat in the grounds. The Undercroft Café inside the castle serves tea, coffee, and cakes (though it’s pricey).

✓ Photography: You can take photos in the grounds but not inside the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel.

✓ Accessibility: The castle is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs in most areas, though some parts involve stairs. Free access companion tickets are available for disabled visitors.

Don’t miss: St George’s Chapel

This is the highlight for many visitors. St George’s Chapel is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and the final resting place of 11 monarchs, including:

• Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
• Henry VIII and Jane Seymour
• Charles I
• George VI and the Queen Mother

Important: St George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays (services only), but it’s included in your ticket Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle

One of the highlights of any Windsor visit is watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Here’s what you need to know:

When: 11am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Duration: About 30 minutes
Where to watch: You can see the guards march up the High Street for free, or watch the actual ceremony inside the castle grounds (requires castle admission ticket).

The ceremony can be cancelled due to bad weather or state occasions. Always check the official schedule before your visit.

Top tip for families: Book a 10:00 or 10:30am castle entry slot, head straight to St George’s Chapel first (it’s quieter in the morning), then come out in time for the Changing of the Guard at 11am. This way you avoid the crowds at the chapel and don’t miss the ceremony.

Alternatively, watch the guards march up the High Street (free) first, then buy your castle tickets and explore afterwards — this gives you flexibility to grab a coffee or breakfast first.

When is Windsor Castle closed?

Windsor Castle is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for most of the year (except July-September when it’s only closed on Wednesdays). It’s also occasionally closed at short notice for state occasions.

Family attractions in Windsor (beyond the castle)

At nearly 5,000 acres, Windsor Great Park is enormous and offers something for every age group. It’s completely free to explore and includes the following – many of which I’ll share more about below:

• Free toddler playground on Obelisk Lawn (perfect for under 5s)
• The Savill Garden (paid attraction)
• Adventure Play (paid attraction)
• Virginia Water Lake (see below)
• Deer spotting (the park is home to red and fallow deer)
• Picnic spots throughout
• Cycling paths

The park is open daily from dawn to dusk and makes a wonderful addition to a Windsor day trip, especially if the castle area feels busy.

1. The Long Walk (free, pushchair-friendly)

This is one of our favourite free things to do in Windsor. The Long Walk is a spectacular 2.6-mile tree-lined avenue stretching from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue at the top of Snow Hill in Windsor Great Park.

It’s completely flat and pushchair-friendly, making it perfect for families with young children. The views back towards the castle are incredible, and you can often spot deer in the parkland — you’ll definitely want your camera!

2. Virginia Water Lake (free, excellent for families)

About 10 minutes drive from Windsor town centre, Virginia Water is one of Windsor Great Park’s hidden gems and perfect for families who want a peaceful lakeside walk. What makes it special:

• Beautiful 4.5-mile circular walk around the ornamental lake
• Completely pushchair-friendly on well-maintained paths
• 100 Acres Pond playground (free, brilliant for kids)
• Roman Ruins on the south shore (actually Victorian follies brought from Leptis Magna in Libya – kids find them fascinating!)
• Cascades and Waterfall — lovely feature on the walk
• Abundant wildlife including swans, geese, ducks, and if you’re lucky, deer
• Much quieter than Windsor
• Plenty of parking at Virgina Water car park

3. Adventure Play at Windsor Great Park (ages 2+, pre-booking essential)

Adventure Play is a unique hand-crafted playground hidden in the woodland next to The Savill Garden. This is one of Windsor’s hidden gems and absolutely worth pre-booking for families with children aged 2-10.

What makes it special:

• 1.2 acres of natural adventure playground
• Two distinct areas: Courtyard (toddlers/younger children) and Woodland (older kids and adults)
• Built from sustainably-sourced wood from the Windsor Estate
• Designed for families to play together — parents can climb in the trees with their children!
• Features giant acorns, treehouses, suspended walkways, slides, and sculptures
• Fully accessible route throughout

Tickets must be booked online in advance (for 2-hour play sessions), and parking is free when you have an Adventure Play ticket. Book the earliest session of the day (usually 10am) for the quietest experience.

4. The Savill Garden

The Savill Garden is a beautiful 35-acre garden within Windsor Great Park, featuring themed areas and seasonal displays that change throughout the year. It’s especially lovely in spring, featuring woodland walks, a rose garden, and over 60 sculptures dotted throughout. There’s also an excellent cafe and plant centre.

Adult tickets are £8.50-15 depending on the month and under 5’s are free, but again parking is free with your ticket.

5. Thames riverside walks

The riverside paths in Windsor are lovely for families and completely pushchair-friendly. Walk along the Thames and you’ll find:

• Loads of ducks, swans, and geese to spot
• Riverside benches for picnics
• Views of Windsor Bridge
• Access to French Brothers boat trips or the Duck Boat tour.

Best Windsor boat trips with kids:

These Thames river cruises depart from right by Windsor Bridge and offer a completely different perspective on Windsor.

French Brothers offer a 40-minute return trip to Boveney Lock. which is perfect for younger children with shorter attention spans. It costs £13 for adults and £8.70 for children, or is cheaper to book online.

They also offer a 2-hour trip (which I personally feel is a bit long for kids), with two route options: upstream to Bray or downstream through the castle grounds. These trips are dog-friendly and a great way to see Windsor Castle from the river, plus there’s commentary.

I hear the amphibious Duck Tour is also a fun thing to do in Windsor with kids. The vehicle drives through Windsor’s streets before splashing into the River Thames — children seem to love the moment it enters the water! It lasts an hour and there’s 2 route options: Swan and Mallard. Under 2’s go free too!

Hidden gems in Windsor most tourists miss

This is where Windsor gets really interesting. Beyond the obvious attractions, there are some brilliant hidden spots that most day-trippers never discover:

1. Queen Charlotte Street — shortest street in Britain

This tiny street is just 51 feet and 10 inches long and holds the official title of the shortest street in Britain (it’s in the Guinness Book of Records!). It’s tucked just off Windsor High Street near the castle (near the Crooked House – a wonderfully wonky Grade II-listed building from 1592 that leans noticeably).

2. Dorney Court

About 10 minutes drive from Windsor, Dorney Court is a stunning Tudor manor house that’s been home to the Palmer family for over 600 years. You might recognise it from Bridgerton, Midsomer Murders and other TV and film.

Dorney Court is only open on specific days such as bank holidays in May, and every afternoon in June, so check it out well in advance if you’re interested in joining. Under 10s are generally not allowed inside the house. Dorney Lake (the 2012 Olympics rowing venue) is also nearby, and is great for flat, pushchair-friendly walks.

3. Mini Mundo play café

Mini Mundo reopened under new management in May 2025 and offers families with young children somewhere for rainy days. It’s a 150 square metre play cafe with a role-play village (vets, supermarket, construction site) and a soft play frame with slides. There’s also a sensory room at the back.

4. Theatre Royal Windsor

This beautiful Edwardian theatre sits between Windsor Castle and the River Thames and is well worth checking for family-friendly shows. From Christmas pantomimes (considered some of the best in the country — we’re talking standing ovations and West End-quality performances) to family plays, it’s an intimate theatre and much cheaper than West End options.

5. Eton

Just across the bridge from Windsor is the famous town of Eton, home to Eton College where Princes William and Harry were educated.

You can see Eton College from the outside, and there’s some lovely independent shops along the High Street.

6. Build-a-Bear

Ok, so this isn’t a Windsor-specific thing but there’s a Build-a-Bear in the town, and if you’re visiting during your child’s birthday month, you can access their brilliant “Count Your Candles” offer.

The way it works is simple: your child pays their age in pounds for a ‘Birthday Treat Bear’ – so for R’s first birthday his bear was £1.

Tried & tested family-friendly restaurants in Windsor

We’ve personally tried these and they’re all great food and were enjoyable with R in tow.

Millar’s Eatery

We had lunch here during a recent Windsor day trip and I can’t recommend it enough. The food was delicious (think brunch style shakshuka, New York Reuben sandwiches and garlic mushrooms on toast), and it had a lovely relaxed atmosphere that didn’t make us feel stressed with R in his high chair The coffee was a big hit with my parents, and the carrot and ginger and smoothie I had was better than most. It’s in a central location but slightly off the beaten track.

La Planchette

This charming French wine bar next to Theatre Royal is a hidden gem that’s surprisingly kid-friendly during the daytime (it transforms into more of a wine bar vibe in the evening).

Run by two lovely French ladies — Monique and Liz — La Planchette feels like a little slice of France tucked away in a courtyard off the main tourist drag.

We took R when he was only a couple of months old and sat inside, and I’d been dubious if they would let us in, but they were so kind and accommodating. The cheese and charcuterie boards were excellent as was the wine selection – but it was the hospitality that would have us back again more than anything.

The Ivy Windsor

The Ivy is family-friendly, but timing is everything to get the best experience with children. It’s best to visit for a midweek lunch or an early dinner with kids, to avoid the busy crowd and drinking vibe. it’s particularly magical at Christmas with all the festivities, but the floral decorations make for a lovely atmosphere year-round.

The Belvedere Arms

Located right by Virginia Water Lake (about 10 minutes from Windsor), this pub is brilliant for families and makes a perfect lunch stop if you’re combining Windsor with a Virginia Water walk. It’s family-friendly with a warm welcome, good food, and a relaxed vibe.

LEGOLAND Windsor: the ultimate kids’ day out

If your children are aged 2-12, LEGOLAND Windsor is worth dedicating an entire day to. It’s about 10 minutes drive from Windsor town centre and offers over 55 rides and attractions.

LEGOLAND Windsor tickets and prices

Tickets are cheaper when booked online in advance, and prices vary significantly by date:

• Off-peak days (term-time weekdays): From £34 per person online
• Peak days (weekends, school holidays): Around £39 per person online
• Gate prices: Much higher, so always book ahead
• Children under 90cm: Free (collect ticket at gate on arrival)

Money-saving tip: Book as far in advance as possible for the best prices. Consider visiting on a weekday in term time if you have preschoolers.

How long to spend at LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND Windsor is a full day out — plan to arrive when it opens (usually 10am) and stay for 6-8 hours. There’s easily enough to keep children entertained all day, and you’ll want to make the most of your ticket price.

Best age for LEGOLAND Windsor

LEGOLAND is specifically designed for children aged 2-12 years. Older teenagers might find it a bit young for them, and babies under 2 will be too small for most rides. For preschoolers, there’s gentle rides, Duplo Valley, and lot of LEGO building. For older (primary school) children, there’s more thrill rides, LEGO workshop and more.

Windsor rainy day activities with kids

Windsor has several excellent wet-weather options, so don’t cancel your trip if the forecast looks grim!

Indoor attractions:

• Windsor Castle (State Apartments and chapel are all indoors)
• Mini Mundo play café (soft play and role-play, perfect for under 5s)
• Theatre Royal Windsor (check for daytime shows)
• LEGOLAND Windsor (about 50% of rides and attractions are under cover)
• Shopping in Windsor Royal Shopping (covered shopping arcade)

Where to stay near Windsor for a family break

Staying in Windsor itself

Windsor has several family-friendly hotels right in town with easy walking distance to the castle, and an opportunity to explore during the evening when day trippers have gone home. While it’s convenient, it can be pricey and parking likely to be extra. Personally, I’d visit Windsor in the day and stay in one of the lovely countryside towns and villages in the surrounding area, especially given the solid train connections, such as:

Visit Windsor from Henley-on-Thames (35 minutes away)

This is where we live, and it’s a gorgeous riverside town in the Chilterns. It makes a perfect base for exploring Windsor, and you’ll get better value accommodation than staying in Windsor itself plus benefit from two iconic British towns (Henley is famed for its rowing heritage).

I’m writing a guide to visiting Henley-on-Thames with kids — sign up to my newsletter to get an update on when it’s live.

Staying in Marlow (25 minutes from Windsor)

Another stunning Chilterns riverside town with gorgeous riverside walks, a thriving high street, and a well regarded foodie scene.

Visiting Windsor from London (30-55 minutes)

If you’re visiting Windsor as a day trip from London, it’s super easy by train. You can base yourself in London and make Windsor one of several day trips.

Check out my full guide to London with kids for itinerary ideas — I mention Windsor in the day trips section there. I’ve also ranked London family-friendly hotels by budget.

When to visit Windsor with kids: best times and when to avoid

Best times to visit Windsor

April-September is ideal for families:

• All outdoor attractions open (Adventure Play, Savill Garden, Virginia Water)
• Long Walk is beautiful with green trees
• Longer daylight hours
• Better weather for riverside walks
• More Changing of the Guard ceremonies (check schedule)

May-June is particularly lovely:

• Savill Garden azaleas in full bloom (spectacular!)
• Virginia Water looks beautiful
• Not too hot for young children
• Term-time weekdays are quiet

December for festive magic:

• Christmas decorations throughout town
• The Great Park illuminations
• Festive atmosphere at the castle
• Theatre Royal Windsor pantomimes (book early — they sell out!)
• Fewer crowds than summer

Where possible, avoid UK school holidays as everything is more crowded.

Planning your perfect Windsor day trip from London

Here’s a realistic itinerary that works well with children:

9:30-10:00am: Arrive in Windsor

• Take the train from London (30-55 minutes depending on route)
• OR drive and park at Alexandra Gardens Car Park
• Grab a coffee if you need one

10:00-10:30am: Enter Windsor Castle

• Start with St George’s Chapel (quieter in the morning)
• Under 5s are FREE, so take advantage!

10:30-11:00am: Explore State Apartments

• Use the free audio guide to keep older kids engaged
• Let toddlers marvel at the grand rooms

11:00-11:30am: Changing of the Guard

• Watch the ceremony in the Lower Ward
• Perfect timing if you started at 10am

11:30am-12:30pm: Finish exploring castle

• See Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House
• Walk around the grounds
• Let kids run around on the grass

12:30-1:30pm: Lunch

1:30-3:00pm: Choose your afternoon adventure before heading back to London.

Is Windsor the best royal day trip from London for families?

For families, Windsor hits that sweet spot of educational, interesting, and fun without the intensity of central London. It’s manageable as a day trip and you’ll come back feeling like you’ve had a proper outing.

Many families actually prefer Windsor to some of the busier London attractions because it’s less overwhelming for young children and offers more outdoor space. And whilst it is a bit of a tourist trap — there’s genuine depth here beyond the obvious attractions.

Have you visited Windsor with your family? What were your highlights? I’d love to hear your favourite spots and any tips I’ve missed in the comments below!
Allie, Jack & R

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Frequently asked questions about Windsor with kids