Heathrow to Windsor/bag storage

Can I clarify - when you talk about baggage check at Windsor, and about buying tickets for Windsor in advance - do you specifically mean Windsor Castle? There is a whole town of Windsor that you don’t need tickets for ;-)

The reason I ask is that yes, there is baggage storage at the castle itself but they warn on the website that it’s a very steep path up to the castle and advise you not to bring luggage if possible. You will also have to queue to check your baggage through airport-style security (although I suspect that’s true of Heathrow left luggage too - certainly all the main train stations in London have airport-style screening for the EXPENSIVE left luggage). Here’s what Windsor Castle says:

the walk from the Admission Centre to the Cloakroom takes about 10
minutes and is uphill to begin with, although it flattens out along
the route. there is a flight of stairs to negotiate once you arrive at
the entrance to the State Apartments. your luggage will need to fit
through the airport-style security scanners in the Admission Centre
before it can be brought in to the Castle. If you are planning to
visit Windsor Castle on your way to/from the airport you might find it
easier to use left luggage facilities at the airport or in central
London.

Are you staying in London for some time? Because you might just find it easier to get straight into London and do Windsor Castle later in your visit as a day trip.

If you're arriving after an overnight flight, I wouldn't recommend assuming everyone will be functional enough to deal with such heavy-duty sightseeing. If you just planned to head to Windsor, walk around the town and spend the night there, I wouldn't question it. But to visit the castle (I assume a pretty pricey entry fee, too) and then get yourselves to London is, to me, a different story.

Be a smart traveler.

Arrive early, get through immigration, check on everyone’s stamina and then head into London.

Check in, leave your luggage there. Walk outside and find the closest ATM. Get your pounds.

Then stroll the closest Starbucks, Cafe Nero or Costa coffee. As you do get used to the noise, smells of London while checking out what’s in your neighborhood. At the coffee shop Everyone can then check emails via the free WiFi. Have a nosh.

Replenished walk to the closest tube station and purchase your OYSTER CARDS. Don’t forget the invaluable little pocket tube maps so each of you will have one to reference.

Look at the large map on the wall. Find Westminster. Plan your route. Get off at Westminster. Enjoy wandering around Parliament Square. Then up
Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. See if you can have lunch in the crypt at St Martins or in the cafe at the National gallery. Check stamina. Walk over to Covent Garden....my point....

Save Windsor for another day. Silliness to be hindered by your luggage.

Make getting into and experiencing London your priority when you arrive.

It’s a walkable city. Maximize your time by looking on Google Satellite Map images to discover how close many of the iconic sites are.

great advice from Claudia

Hello! What did you all end up doing on this trip? We (2 40-somethings, our 2 teenagers, and both sets of parents) are doing this exact trip, and are thinking of landing, after an overnight flight, and going to Windsor Castle as well...all in the same day. Ultimately we too are staying in London. What did you do? What do you wish you had done? What did you learn?

Thanks in advance!

Darn! I just saw that you’re doing this Trip in August... so, better question - what have you decided to do?!

Wife and I did this same exact 'attempted' trip, on the way Southwest to see a friend in Westbury. The idea was a "stop-off" in Windsor/tour Windsor Castle. What a mistake. Do what Claudia suggested, NOTHING ELSE.