Published on the web last year as part of a local travel site. Unfortunately the site has since gone, but quite a pleasing article anyway...

OVERVIEW / HISTORY
History, Royalty and River are the keywords to describe the attractions of Windsor. To residents and visitors alike, Windsor epitomises English history: the world-famous castle, the river with all the traditional trappings and the ancient forest known as Windsor Great Park. Windsor started life as a small Saxon town; this changed when William the Conqueror decided to build a castle two miles from the original town (now known as Old Windsor). The Domesday Book notes that Windsor was the third largest settlement in Berkshire with nearly 500 inhabitants. It is perhaps Windsor’s status as a Royal town for which it is most famous. Queen Victoria made Windsor the royal weekend retreat, a tradition that continues to this day, and the Central Station became the focus of celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It is thoroughly fitting that Windsor will feature prominently in another Royal Jubilee – Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee this year.

GETTING HERE
Only 15 minutes from Heathrow, an hour from Gatwick. Two main line train stations come straight into the heart of Windsor from London's Waterloo and Paddington. Good coach connections to airport and UK cities. Easy access from motorway links.

WHERE TO STAY
Apart from the top-class and therefore expensive hotels in the town (Christopher Wren Hotel, Castle Hotel, Harte & Garter, Frogmore, Royal Adelaide Hotel) your best option is to contact the local Tourist Information Centre; they will advise the best accommodation to fit your budget. There are a number of smaller hotels, guest houses and B&Bs in and around the town.

Royal Windsor Information Centre,
24 The High Street,
Windsor,
Berks, SL4 1LH
Tel: 01753 743900
Fax: 01753 743904
Email: windsor.tic@rbwm.gov.uk
Accommodation Hotline: Tel: 01753 743907, Fax: 01753 743911

EATING AND DRINKING
In Windsor it can truly be said you are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to eat and drink. There are countless pubs, café’s, wine bars and restaurants dotted throughout the town and it is almost impossible to walk more than a few yards without finding one ! There are the usual smattering of Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants as well as the popular ‘junk-food’ outlets. Most of the pubs offer excellent ‘Pub Grub’ too, so rather than give an exhaustive list, I will just make a few recommendations; after that it’s up to you to explore...!

RESTAURANTS :
The Frogmore Hotel in Alma Road does a fantastic (and well-priced) carvery
For freshly cooked Mexican food try Charley’s Horse in The Arches – not exactly cheap, but food very tasty just the same. They do good cocktails too (Marguerita and Long Island Iced Tea are best)
Francesco’s in Peascod Street does excellent Italian ; actually there are loads of Italian eateries in Windsor and all probably good…
If you prefer Indian, the best are Sharmins (near the Theatre) and Viceroy (St Leonards Rd)
For a Greek-style Taverna try Latino’s near the Guildhall on the high street – the food and atmosphere are authentically Greek; unfortunately the prices aren’t …
There’s even a Moroccan restaurant - Al Fassia in St Leonards Rd

PUBS / BARS :
The ‘Corner’ bar and ‘Upstairs’ restaurant (Victoria & Sheet St)
Chicago Rock Café
The Bronx Club – the only nightclub in town open to non-members
The Cellar Bar in the Olde King & Castle pub (opposite the castle, next to McDonalds) occasional live music
Crosses Corner (Peascod Street) – live music
The Hogshead, Eton High Street – excellent selection of real ales served in a reasonably ‘Olde Worlde’ atmosphere
The Donkey House, Thameside. A great place to sit outside on a summer's evening.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS :
Uncle Sams American restaurant, House On The Bridge, Montys, Eton Tea Room & Greek restaurant, Bar Yello, the Front Room, Havana Café, Good Measures, Starbucks, Coffea, Haagen Dass café, Jasmine Peking, Bella Pasta, La Taverna, The Punter, Bee’s and Bart’s, the Harte & Garter Hotel has a café, a Victorian restaurant & ‘Alberts’ Fish n Chip restaurant.

SHOPPING
Windsor features an amazingly diverse selection of interesting shops, many of which specialise in selling high-quality UK-made goods (the Token House, Caleys and Daniels department stores, Woods of Windsor etc). On a short walk through Windsor you could buy for example some 1960’s dinky toys, some original Victorian jewellery, an air rifle, some Scottish woollens, a pint of fresh cockles, some vinyl records, a pound of venison steak, 3 yards of indian silk, an electric guitar and a trampoline... there is even a shop that specialises in selling Motor-racing memorabilia. The usual ‘brand’ shops can be found in the High Street and if you venture out to Old Windsor you’ll find the famous Windsor Farmshop selling fresh game and other free-range / organic produce fresh from the Royal Estate.

SEEING THE SIGHTS
The Castle. The most famous landmark of Windsor. There’s a sure way of telling whether the Queen is in residence when you visit: look at the flag that’s flying. If it’s the Union Jack, she’s not there; if it’s the English Standard (Yellow and blue flag with crest, she’s at home !

Adjacent to the castle you’ll find a cobbled street full of quaint shops;
this is Market Street - the shortest street in the UK !

You’ll also find the Guildhall, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. At the time it was built, the town council expressed doubt that Wren’s design could support the weight of the ceiling and insisted he build additional supporting pillars in the centre. In order to appease the councillors, Wren added the pillars but to prove his point left them a couple of inches short – they don’t actually ‘support’ anything…

The Old Central Station – recently restored and jam-packed with cafes, designer shops, street entertainers and other attractions (The tourist information centre is also located here).

Legoland – built on the site of Windsor Safari Park a short bus ride out of town this theme park is proving very popular especially with younger children !

Leisure pool – indoor pool with wave machine

The Theatre Royal

Windsor Great Park – Virginia Water, the Long Walk & Copper Horse, Savill Gardens; all popular features of the park.
Frogmore House – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are buried in the mausoleum on the grounds of this house in Old Windsor. The house itself is open to the public on 2 days only of each year… in May I think.

GETTING AROUND
For the town itself, on foot. To explore surrounding countryside hire a car or contact local TIC for info relating to public transport, taxi/minibus hire.

TRIVIA
Several ‘Carry-on films’ feature Windsor as their location. Pinewood Studios is located in nearby Slough and much filming was done in and around the area. In particular Carry on Regardless, Carry on Cabbie and Carry on Loving were all filmed in Windsor. Early 70’s comedy ‘No Sex Please, We’re British’ starring Ronnie Corbett was filmed in Windsor - the bank where the main character works is Barclays High Street branch right opposite the castle. Musician Elton John and racing driver Nigel Mansell both live in nearby Old Windsor.

QUICK TIPS - bring lots of money; it’s expensive…