River Thames
Why not take a two day trip and discover the heritage trail that takes you from Windsor Castle, across the River Thames, to Eton College and explore 1000 years of history.
Day One
First take a visit to Windsor Castle. An official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, Windsor Castle remains a working palace today. The Castle covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. See the changing of the guards at 11am and take a wander around what the castle has to offer as well as St George's Chapel, one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England.
Having spent the morning at the castle, stop for a well earned rest with a cup of tea and sandwich at the Crooked House Tearooms with its fresh local produce and extensive menu .. you could even visit a bit later and have one of their famous afternoon teas, all named after British royals!
When you feel refreshed, join the heritage trail which leads directly from the Castle to the famous Eton College. Passing the Old Kings head, in Church Street which bears a plaque on its wall recording the warrant for execution of Charles I in 1648 and it is said to be where William Shakespeare wrote 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'. Just parallel to Church Street is Queen Charlotte Street, recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest street in Britain at 51 feet 10 inches (full heritage trail is attached..)
Once you're in Eton, you might fancy popping in on Eton's famous antique market or it's farmers market, showcasing fresh local produce.
To finish off your cultural Windsor day, there are plenty of excellent B&Bs and guesthouses in Windsor as well as lots of historic pubs such as The Donkey House which is positioned by the river.
Day Two
Having rested in Windsor, for your second day, why not hop aboard a passenger boat to take you from Windsor to Runnymede and admire the beautiful landscape the River Thames has to offer. On this relaxed trip of an hour and a half, you will pass through Romney Lock, Datchet Mead (where Sir John Falstaff got a ducking in "The Merry Wives of Windsor") and old Windsor Lock. You will also see Old Windsor, court of Edward the Confessor and the Cooper Hill War Memorial before disembarking at Runnymede where you will find the memorial to where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215.
The boat arrives in Runnymede at 11.40am which gives you plenty of time to explore Runnymede with its attractive Thames-side setting of meadows and broadleaved woodland. Here you will also find the memorials to John F Kennedy and the American Bar Association, Lutyens designed Fairhaven Lodges, the important archaeological site of Ankerwycke and the remains of a 12th-century priory and the Magnificent Ankerwycke Yew, believed to be over 2,000 years old. There is also the Magna Carta tearoom nearby for you to relax for lunch.
Or
Having spent an evening in Windsor, why not venture further afield to Savill Gardens, which is only 10 minutes by car from Windsor. With it's unrivalled display of year-round colour and one of Britain's greatest ornamental gardens, the Savill Garden is a garden for the garden's sake, enjoyed by horticulturalists and enthusiasts alike. It never fails to charm visitors who come to explore its 35 acres of contemporary and classically designed gardens and exotic woodland. On the way back to Windsor, why not drop in at the Windsor Farm Shop, where you'll find a range of products from the Royal Farms and small local specialist suppliers.
Alternatively, if you want another dose of heritage, why not travel on to Hampton Court Palace? There's no doubt the Palace's most notable owner and resident was Henry VIII, and most of the Palace's history is written up from that period in the 16th century. But the first buildings at Hampton Court belonged to the religious order of Knights of the Hospitalers of St John of Jerusalem, founded in the early 12th century, who used the site mainly for farming. The Henry VIII connection came about though the acquisition of a lease by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the then Archbishop of York and the king's Chief Minister. The gardens are stunning, with its world-famous maze and formal privy garden as well as it's rich history and countless royal tales to tell, Hampton Court Palace is a fascinating day out... you may even see the famed ghost of Catherine Howard said to frequent the palace's aptly-named Haunted Gallery.