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The Ultimate Local Travel Guide to Windsor!




WINDSOR: SLEEP, EAT, DO!

As locals to Windsor, and with all eyes on Windsor at the moment due to the upcoming Royal Wedding, we thought we'd share some of our tips on our guide to Windsor! This blog post will be updated frequently with more content so please do bookmark to revisit before your trip.

STAY

Being locals, we haven't had the pleasure (or need) to stay in a hotel, but we hope to soon so that we can offer you advice! If you want to be right opposite the castle, then Harte & Garter is the closest hotel to the castle. They also do Afternoon Tea's here!





We also recommend you check out Macdonald Hotel (we often go here for a drink or hold meetings in the bar, and it always has a great smell when you walk in) and Christopher Wren (which overlooks the River Thames).



EAT:

You of course will have to eat during your time in Windsor and we have some great local restaurant suggestions. Whilst Windsor has predominantly chain restaurants (especially opposite the Castle), we want to focus on the local ones to enhance your experience and to support local business. As the UK is incredibly diverse, this leads to an eclectic range of cuisines from all over the world. 


Located in the heart of the town centre, Sebastian's is serving up authentic and delicious Italian food, with their very own open wood fire kitchen. It's our favourite restaurant in Windsor, not only for the food, but the ambiance is great with friendly service.


Nam Kang Korean Restaurant:

If you fancy Korean food, then we highly recommend Nam Kang which is located on the high street through Kokoro and down the alley way next to it.  The food is fresh, authentic and very flavourful as well as friendly service.


This is definitely also one of our favourite restaurants in Windsor. If you love flavour and Turkish/Greek style food, then this is a 'must eat.' The food is very authentic, vegetarian friendly and also the staff are so lovely and friendly. We recommend the vegetarian platter, so tasty!









Located just a couple miles outside of the town centre, GoGo's definitely has one of the most beautiful views as it's situated on a water marina and provides a beautiful scenic backdrop. We recommend GoGo's for drinks as they have a fantastic range of unique cocktails and a very great gin selection (2nd biggest in Windsor). They also have free parking on site, a rare thing in Windsor!

We recommend going here for the cocktails, and if it's a sunny / hot day, then you're in for a treat if you manage to grab a table outside! If you opt for the food, we recommend brunch or their mezzo sharing platter. Personally we think that their vegetarian food needs improving but we hear the ribs are great!










Gilbey's Eton: 

Situated on the High Street of Eton, close to the River Thames and between the historic buildings of Eton College and Windsor Castle, Gilbey’s is open from 12 noon for lunch (excluding Mondays) and 6.00 pm for dinner every day.


Originally an old butcher’s shop, they created one of the first wine bars outside London in 1975 – The Eton Wine Bar.  After 25 years of success, they changed the name in 2000 to Gilbey’s, recognising that their food had outgrown the original wine bar concept. Fun Fact: We celebrated our first Civil Partnership anniversary here!

We love Windsor Grill and have been several times for different occasions. It's very quaint and is only short stroll from Windsor castle. 


A much loved local cafe that's mission is to bring great quality coffee to Windsor. 



Located inside Daniel's (see 'DO' section) is Heidi Cafe, offering lots of delicious pastries that are made on sight. You can even get a mini Harry & Meghan's Wedding Cake! We recommend the nuteella filled donut, yum!





UPDATE:

Heidi's Bakery now iw selling #Megharryccinos ... We kid you not! & yes, we are obsessed. They will be selling them all week long so hurry!




Quintessentially British and one of the oldest pubs in Windsor, the two brewers offers a very British experience with their beer selection and their good eats. Plus a super cosy atmosphere and right by the entrance to the Long Walk (great place for photo's of the Castle).



DO

Well, of course the number one thing to do is to take a tour around the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world! Keep an eye on their website to find out about exhibitions. (Please note that the castle will be closed 17 - 19 May 2018, but how exciting you can go round the very next day on 20th!) We also recommend taking a walk down the Long Walk, that leads from the castle to the Copper Horse statue. 

Changing of the guard happens at 11:00am on Tuesdays, Thursday & Saturdays. Keep an eye of their website to double check. (Please note that there will be no music or ceremony on Saturday 19 May).

Shopping! There's a few great places to do some retail therapy. Opened in 1901, Daniel's department store has over 40 departments (& you'll find lots of fascinators as you walk in on the left). 


Windsor Royal Shopping offers a unique dining and shopping experience since 1997. You'll find the likes of Jo Malone, Links London, Molton Brown & Space NK. Full list can be found on the website.  You'll also find Windsor & Eton Central train at the end, which takes 6 minutes to Slough & then you can catch a fast train (19 minutes) straight to London Paddington. 


There is also a modern part, known as Windsor Yards, where you'll find Waitrose, Zara, H&M, Topshop & New Look. 


Windsor & Eton Brewery is just a few minutes walk out from the centre of town, where it has a bar onsite and you can take a tour of the brewery. & yes, it's where we brewed our collab beer, BABE IPA! You can also get your hands on their limited edition beer, Windsor knot, brewed especially for the Royal Wedding!

Eton is located just a few minutes walk over a bridge that connects Windsor & Eton (it can only be accessed via foot). 


It's most famous for the iconic and prestigious Eton College (where both Prince William and Prince Harry attended).  On the high street, you will find an array of different shops, pubs and restaurants. Also, don't forget to look out for the gold phone box. Fun fact: telephone boxes are traditionally red & Eton College painted it gold to honour ex-pupil Constantine Louloudis, who won gold at the olympics. 


ROYAL WEDDING:
If you're attending Windsor for the Royal Wedding, then you'll definitely find your fair share of Royal memorabilia, from champagne at Daniel's, to a specially brewed beer at Windsor & Eton Brewery and places to pose with the couple themselves (such as Paperchase as pictured below). We are looking forward to attending & capturing it for you the best that we can! 


We hope this guide helps you plan your stay in Windsor, and if you spot us, please say hi!
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