Several logistical questions about Windsor

The changing of the guard happens in front of St George's Chapel. We got there early enough to get right behind the rails, but I don't remember getting there super early or anything. They march in and do their thing; it's fun and unique, but you can walk away up the hill to the castle at any point if you've seen enough or want to get on with it. We did it when our kids were teenagers in lieu of the Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard; and we were glad for the experience.

If you opt to not watch, it doesn't impact your going to the castle. We thoroughly enjoyed the separate tour outdoors to the top of the castle, but I think that might only be a summer option.

My personal preference is always to take the train (no worries about traffic)- it's easy to get from Victoria to Paddington on the Circle line. But I can see it's even easier to just go to the bus station, tho the bus takes longer. For the train, you need to change at Slough for a very short branch line to Windsor and Eton. I can't comment on the changing of the guard, but I think your idea of visiting the town(s) in the morning and castle in the afternoon is a good one. Good luck with the planning!

KD, thanks! I'm thinking that might be a good option as I'd love for them to see something like that, but really want to avoid the crowds at Buckingham Palace.

Cat, thank you! I think I might go with the train, just because with the bus, we would have to leave at 7:45 am to get to Windsor before 10:00, and I'd like to have time for breakfast. Taking the train would give us a later start. Plus I didn't think about traffic. Regardless, I forgot to ask whether I should book the train tickets in advance, or is it easy to just get them the day of?

The children might find the bus fun. It is a double decker. It takes so long because of the traffic heading west out of London, but that makes it a great sightseeing journey. Once the bus reaches the Westway and gets out of the traffic it is straight onto the motorway- an unusual service bus on a motorway, and is straight down there past the Heathrow turn off to Slough, non stop. Then the short suburban distance from Slough to Windsor. I did that one day last year on the late night extension to Reading. Out of Windsor straight onto the M4. That was a great ride- London to Reading for what was then only £2. So much more interesting than the train. It's 50 pence more now.
You could do bus one way, then train the other way to either Paddington or on South Western Trains from Windsor and Eton Riverside to Waterloo. And you know the way back from Waterloo to Victoria.
And both routes are now contactless. Paddington is the Slough change. Waterloo is direct on 8 or even ten car trains which usually at Waterloo go into the old Eurostar station (not the normal main line station).

Stuart, that's a good idea—I never thought about using the bus one way and the train another. And that's a good point about the kids enjoying the view, especially if it's a double-decker. My granddaughter has already requested that she be able to ride in at least one DD bus, so she would vote yes on that. :-)

Oh, and if Waterloo is direct, that would be even better. Then we could just walk back from Waterloo over the bridge to the hotel. I like that idea a lot—thanks so much!

The Riverside train station means you have to walk up a hill to get to the castle but if you decide to do Eton first that would work fine. I'd probably do the Paddington one over the bus. You also can use contactless on the Paddington to Windsor train.

Last time I went (May 2023) I got the earliest admission and of course lined up early. I waited in a long line for the gates to open but then got in fairly quickly once they started moving. Don't take a back pack as you do go thru security screening.

I've watched the changing of the guard at Windsor and agree it's good. You can also watch them march up the street from the barracks to the castle entrance.

https://youtu.be/yUeLYM-L6-0?si=HXkQEuPokPt8kVl0

These are all good options, just to note that the train from Paddington to Windsor and Eton Central is just under half an hour (even with the change) whereas from Waterloo to Riverside is closer to an hour. However if you're in walking distance of Waterloo you'd be saving time by leaving from there. As others have said no need to book this one in advance. The Riverside station does put you right next to the bridge to cross over to the Eton side of the river.

Pam, thanks! If I did what Stuart suggested, I would probably take the bus from London to the Eton station, and if I returned via the Waterloo train, I would imagine that the hill heading back to Riverside would be downhill. :-) The only issue with using contactless is that I lose my discount; all £4.5 of it, lol! And good to know about backpacks—thanks! At the kids' meeting, I'll bring all this up and see what they want to do. And thanks for the video —I'll show them that!

Cat, good catch. I was tracking it before from Victoria before, but should have skipped the first one. Thanks again!

Mardee, With regard to the railcard discount from Riverside contactless is a convenience, not a necessity.

On the route from Paddington a contactless single is £7.10 off peak, but a ticketed single is £12.80 so contactless is a clear benefit if travelling one way.
On the route from Riverside South Western have set their fares differently. So a contactless single is £8.50 but so is a ticket (paper or virtual). So someone with a railcard benefits from buying a 'ticket'.
Given that Windsor is beyond Zone 6 the YPD discount on Oyster won't work for the children, thus they need a ticket to get child rail fares- a benefit not given no matter how you pay for contactless. So railcard adult + two children on a 'ticket' single Riverside to Waterloo is currently £14.15. On contactless it would be £25.50.
On the same basis singles to Paddington sum to £21.30 contactless or 'ticketed'.

While I am emphatically not suggesting the Waterloo route on a cost basis it is quite interesting that due to what you might regard as a fare quirk (or at least a different way to work out fares) Waterloo is that much cheaper.

You can buy those tickets ahead of time at (say) Victoria, on the spot at Windsor or anytime on your 'phone.

Coming in from Riverside the other way to Victoria of course is to get off at Richmond, then the district line tube from Richmond to Victoria.

The £14.15 fare is also valid on main line trains into Victoria by changing trains at Clapham Junction. I know that Clapham Junction is a big and very busy station so am not sure whether that would be considered to be the best route but it is a valid route.

If you have time do try and visit the church of St John the Baptist which is just a few minutes walk from the castle. It may not look that interesting from the outside but the inside is much better. It was built in 1822 and replacced an earlier church that was falling dowm. Many of the memorials were rescued and can be seen along the walls. There are some splendid ones to find. There is Mrs Paget of Reading who died in 1666 and was buried here with her second husband. Or have a look for the 1605 memorial to Edward and Elinor Jobson and their six sons, including a baby and four daughters.

Look for the mayor’s chair in the nave with the Royal Arms of the Borough of Windsor. Off the chancel is the Royal Pew with the two thrones being given by Princes Augusta, the daughter of George III who regularly worshipped here. The screen in front was carved by Grinling Gibbons (one of the most famous wood carvers of his time) and has a lovely carving of a pelican tearing at its breast to feed its young. (get them to think about the religious symbolism of this).

And finally, don’t miss the carved angels on the chancel roof playing musical instruments....

Thinking of the children, I'd suggest the trip TO Windsor Castle from Paddington via Slough to Windsor and Eton Central.

I'll tell you why I think so. Are you familiar, Mardee with the keys to your granddaughter's double decker bus wish, the TfL bus spider maps? They show all the bus routes in and out of a certain place, like Victoria, and where the specific stops are for each of those routes are. The one for Victoria is https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/victoria-a4-10102024.pdf Follow the map to upper left where Paddington is and you can see that the route linking them is the number 36 on its way to Queens Park, designated in yellow. As it goes off the map past Paddington you can see that it comes from stops H, K, Q. Back to the central part of the map and you'll see that the bus comes over the river from Vauxhall. With your residence being the Resident Victoria in Palace Place (nice neighbourhood, by the way) the nearest stop would be possibly stop Q in Victoria Street just off Buckingham Palace Road. Here's a pic of both that bus stop and the double decker route 36 bus serving it. https://maps.app.goo.gl/uD7fQ1Kd9unRyFTK8

At Paddington train for Slough, usually first stop. You'll get off to the left and across the platform is the little shuttle train which goes around the corner to Windsor. Sit the kids at windows on the left hand side of the little train. Then the magic happens. As the train goes around the corner a very clear view of the round tower of Windsor Castle - so close they can imagine being there. Then as you get off at the one and only station on the shuttle and walk through the station and its shops, you go out towards the road and the castle is right there - just across the road.

I think first impressions are really important. That approach really ticks all the boxes!!

I've used the Waterloo-Windsor&Eton Riverside before too. You get off in a plain station, walk around the walls which are really really high so everybody knows they are going up hill but can see nothing until you finally get to the shops on the street and turn left into the Castle entrance. In my opinion there is no comparison.

Now you might want to come back a different way, although I wouldn't - that Riverside service is slow.

As far as the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle, it is a good experience if it works out but I was a bit underwhelmed. What I would never do again is the one at Buckingham Palace - far too crowded and not much of a show, and there's that wrought iron fence in the way. I suggest going over to Horseguards Parade in the afternoon for the Changing of the Horse Guard there. Fewer crowds, fancy polished breastplates, and what 11 year old girl doesn't love horses? And horses in armour? A winner all around. IMHO. I know others sometimes disagree. But I'm right he says modestly.

Stuart, interesting about the change in fares for the two routes. One of these days I will get it all figured out! Thanks so much!

wasleys, you definitely know me and old churches! It sounds absolutely wonderful! And I think the kids would be interested in something that like, although quite frankly, I want to see it so they will have to come along even if they aren't interested. :-) I have heard of Grinling Gibbons before but don't think I've seen any of his work, so this will be a real treat! Thank you!

Nigel, thank you for the wealth of information! It took me a few minutes to find the stop (I get a little dyslexic with stuff like that) but finally did and was able to pinpoint and save it on Google Maps (which calls it the Grosvenor Gardens stop). And just so I'm clear, then I would take that 36 bus to Paddington, transfer to the GWR train to Slough, and then transfer to the Windsor & Eton train, and that's where I will seat the kids in a good spot to catch the view of Windsor? It sounds perfect! Thank you so much!

Also, thanks for your thoughts on the Changing of the Guard. I think we'll maybe go on a day when it happens but play it by ear and if we see it, good, but if not, no worries. I did plan on taking them to the Changing of the Horse Guards, regardless. I didn't make it last year, but I still have my notes from Pam's extensive instructions on seeing it, so will hang onto that! Thanks again, Nigel—this is great!

Mardee, in 2018 I was staying at the Castle Hotel in WIndsor (for a not Rick tour) and just went outside on the street to watch the band march by. It was thrilling and I enjoyed so much I didn't bother to go in to see the changing of the guard. Evidently different bands play.........

Mardee, I forgot to add there is a lovely park along the Thames in Windsor. One of my favorite experiences was to sit by the river and watch the kids feed the swans.....I've never seen so many in one place. They also have a short boat ride on the river which I took and really enjoyed. I was there in summer and I probably stopped at the park twice a day since there was an ice cream shop. I'd get a cone and watch the international parade of every day folks pass by and remind myself how lucky I am to still be able to travel. I was staying at a B & B there which was more like B & B's used to be and so I really enjoyed. She only takes 1 party, but has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom all on the 1st floor just up the stairs from the front door. Her dining room has views of her delightful garden and her breakfasts were made to order. She gave you a check off list the night before. If you ever have a chance, try 76 Duke Street. Your hostess Julie is an absolute dream and my stay was nearly perfect in spite of an intense heat wave (no ac, but lovely big fans.)

Laurie Beth, it sounds really lovely—thanks! We will be there in early April, so probably won't have the wonderful weather you did, but I'm still looking forward to it. Unfortunately, the B&B you mentioned at 76 Duke Street is permanently closed (at least, that's what Google is saying). The website is dead, though, so I'm assuming it's true.

I’ll go a bit off topic to offer another option for a sight seeing ride by double decker bus. I’m actually thinking of doing this at night the next time I’m in London.

Take the uber boat from Westminster to Tower of London. Along the way you should be able to see many sights such as

• Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• London Eye
• Saint Paul’s
• Millennium Bridge
• Tower of London
• Tower Bridge.

Take the 15 bus back towards Trafalgar Square. Passing St Paul’s, Fleet Street and the Strand. Transfer to the 24 bus back to Victoria.

For a sweet treat from Trafalgar Square walk up to Leicester Square tube stop. there’s a Donutelier very close by. They have fancy donuts as well as other pastry options. Looks like the bus stop for the 24 is nearby too.

Not sure if any of the grandkids are girls. But in SoHo on Wardour Street is EL&N. Another sweet treat stop that had a very tween young girl vibe to it.

Sounds like a memorable trip. Have fun!

https://www.thamesclippers.com/plan-your-journey/timetable

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf

Be sure not to miss the Queen's Dollhouse when you are visiting the castle.

Rocket, we're planning to take the Uber boat to Greenwich, as we will be going there, but I like the idea of taking the 15 bus back. And I'm sure my granddaughter (the 11 year old) will LOVE the Soho treat shop! And they will both enjoy the Donutelier! Thanks for the links!

tjordan084, oh, Queen Mary's Doll House is a priority and one of the main reasons we're going. I built and furnished a dollhouse for my granddaughter when she was younger, and love miniatures. I saw it once before back in the 90's but will get to enjoy it again.

The 15 runs from Tower Pier (and there is also a Heritage Routemaster T15 equivalent) but the 188 is a 24 hour a day double decker from North Greenwich and the Cutty Sark to Waterloo then Tottenham Court Road.
TfL fares are not valid on the T15, but the fares are OK for a Heritage route.
But change off that onto the C10 at Canada Water Bus Station (a single deck electric bus) for Victoria Bus and Rail Stations. Neither route will ever win a prize for being the fastest of routes but are another way to experience London buses.
I personally change at Canada Water for Victoria as I am running out of my 62 minutes for the bus hopper transfer fare if I stay on the 188 to Waterloo or Holborn, for Victoria.

Mardee, I am so sad to hear 76 Duke St B & B is closed. I did find that after your comment and also see the property was for sale last year. My stay there was so delightful I was always hoping I could return.