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Park Farm, St. Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3EA, United Kingdom
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Eton with its Chapel
Henry VI tomb at the high alter
looking to Windsor
swans on the Thames at Windsor
Hello everyone,
My sister and I will have a stop oven in Heathrow on our way from Kenya to U.S. Our plane is landing at 3:pm on Sat Dec 12th. We fly out the nest morning. Weplan to leave our luggage at the airport. Is it doable for us to go to windsor? I realize that we probably won't be able to go inside the castle but could we see from outside? Will most things be closed by the time we get there? What would be the best way to get to Windsor? (train, bus or taxi) Does anyone have any suggestions how we could spend the evening? (We're planning to sleep at Yothel in Heathrow as our flight leaves early in the morning and we don't want to deal with hassle of getting to Heathrow in the morning.
Thank you
The first thing you should realise that it will be dark by around 4.15/4.30 ish. You won't be out of Heathrow much beore 4pm at the earliest (and quite possibly later, as you need to find and use the left luggage facility).
You can get to Windsor using the train from Heathrow:
www.nationalrail.co.uk
or by taxi (not cheap).
Train takes around an hour, with a couple of changes, so you are likely to arrive when the shops are shut/shutting and attractions are closed.
You will be able to see the castle from outside (it will be lit): it's about 5 minutes walk from the station. You could explore the town a bit (it will be well-lit) then find somewhere to eat (plenty of choice) before returning to Heathrow.
Buses leave from Terminal 5 and take about 35-40 minutes to get to Windsor. You need Route 77, they leave every half hour at 7 and 37 minutes past the hour (the one at 1737 doesn't go all the way to Windsor for some reason). They stop in Peascod Street - the castle is at the top of the street. The last buses are at 2102 and 2202.
A taxi from Heathrow to Windsor is very expensive - Heathrow cabs are governed by London rules and Windsor is outside the London limit so theree is a hefty surcharge. A taxi back to Heathrow will be a local taxi and not as expensive, though still not cheap.
As leics says - the castle will be floodlit, also the shops and streets will be lit and decorated for Christmas. You will find plenty of places open to eat but the shops close at 5.30. Unfortunately you're a week early for Christmas late night closing.
Windsor's Theatre Royal 's Christmas pantomime this year is Aladdin, opening on December 9. That would be a great way to spend the evening - English Christmas pantos are great fun and the one at Windsor is always excellent. You'd definitely need to book ahead.
http://www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/event.php?id=30
You don't say where you're from. Don't forget to look into the visa matter, if you're from a country whose citizens need a visa to enter to UK. It would be a shame to make all the arrangements, maybe book a theatre ticket, and then find out that you're not allowed to leave the airport.
A very good point, Christine.
For once I didn't have to resort to using a McDonald's toilet or part with 20 pence in order to use a public toilet, located in the covered gallery (same building where the Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Cafe Rouge are) near the Windsor & Eton Central station, they are located down a flight of stairs, just find the map of the covered gallery to see where they are.
In January 2008 I was able to find a £4 discount to Windsor Castle if you used the slower train from Waterloo Station but not via the faster train from Paddington Station but we didn't do it because Kat was not interested in visiting the Castle.
I believe you need to buy a combination ticket when you purchase your train ticket, see the Southwest Train website for more information. If you are leaving from Waterloo, ask when you purchase your ticket if there is a combination ticket that has a discount for Windsor Castle.
There's also a family discount for 2 adults and up to 3 kids under 17 which is the same price as 2 adults and 1 kid which we were able to use in July 2008, saving us £8.50.
There are some lovely parks in and around Windsor.
They are green and expansive.
I particulalry like the park just below the Garden Cafe (near Central Station).
During our lunch hour, if the sun is out, we venture outside and into the park closest to our office.
Plenty of people come cycling here in this particular park, come here to read their book, or just to eat their lunch and have a natter with friends and coleagues.
Windsor is not alone in this though, something I love about London in general is the parks :)
Whether in the city centre of London, or further out of the zones, like here in Windsor!
This is a 5 day census that takes place annually - the intention is to confirm the number of swans on the River Thames. During this process, the Cygnets are weighed and examined for signs of injury.
The tradition of swan-upping dates back to the 12th century. The Royal Family retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, HM the Queen only exercises her ownership rights on particular stretches of the Thames and it's tributaries. The ownership is shared with the Vintners' and Dyers' Livery Companies; they were granted these rights in the 15th century.
You should note that the Queen does infact have an employee (servant) with the jolly title of Swan Marker!
You wouldn't catch me doing it...but for others (my husband for example!) this is their idea of fun, a 13 mile run round the beautiful Windsor Great Park, starting and finishing at the Long Walk, taking in a couple of laps of the Park and passing Smith's Lawn and the Polo Ground.
Annual event every September Your feet and a good pair of running shoes
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