Windsor- what to do after Castle tour?

Just spent a day there in December after training from London. It was delightful. We were so impressed with the beauty of Windsor, it’s grounds and the care they take of it to make it so pleasing. We toured the castle in the morning, St. George’s after that and then walked down into the town of Windsor and had lunch. We walked over to see the campus of Eton where a local Eton administrator noticed us, befriended us and took us on an impromptu tour of its buildings and chapel. You pass many small quaint shops on the way to Eton that would be fun to visit. It is a beautiful walk and even the nonstop train ride from London’s Waterloo station was quiet and restful.

You could go to Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed, but also where the British memorial to John F Kennedy is, and also the memorial to the missing of the Air Forces of all nations of the British Commonwealth in WW2.

All of which is at least slightly off the beaten track.

Also go for a cruise on the river, with French Brothers- https://www.frenchbrothers.co.uk/public-trips/

The longer cruises can include a cream tea, as an optional extra.

restaurants ( nothing fancy please)

there is a Wagamama in courtyard of Windsor and Eton Central station, direct across from the entrance to Windsor Castle.

Down about 6 steps (a stairlift is available if needed). Certainly NOT fancy, but tasty and fun. More international tourists than locals when I was there which is unusual for Wagamama but given its location, not surprising.

You could either explore the town or visit Eton. I enjoyed walking through the city peeking into the shops and stopping off for tea and scones in a tea shop.

The Church of St John the Baptist is just a few minutes walk from the castle and is worth a look. Don't be put off by the rather uninspiring exterior. The inside is much better with tall narrow pillars supporting a gallery. The painting of the last supper above the west door was painted by Franz de Cleyn, who was court painter to James VI of Scotland and I of England. It was originally hung in St George’s Chapel before being given to St John the Baptist by George III.

Look out for the mayor’s pew in the nave with the Royal Arms of the Borough of Windso and carved angels. On the right side of the chancel is the royal pew with the two thrones being given by Princes Augusta, the daughter of George III who regularly worshipped here, when she lived at Frognore House. Later, King George V and Queen Mary also attended the church when Prince and Princess of Wales.

The reredos behind the altar is made of golden mosaic and glows on a bright sunny day. There are also some splendid memorials on the walls.

If the weather is nice you can also walk along the Thames. I walked upriver but I think you can also walk downriver although I did not really look in that direction.

I suspect you will be given rail tickets to return to London on your own so you can also go back to see more sights in London as well. I have not done this tour but on the Best of Paris tour the day we went to Versailles that is how it was arranged - go together as a group, be given tickets and return to the city on your own time.

I met relatives who live in Windsor in March…they treated me to a tour of the Castle, and then we enjoyed (I loved!) lunch at their favorite pub, The Two Brewers, a historic, small pub at the end of Park Street, near the entrance to the Long Walk and Windsor Great Park. They have outdoor tables, but I loved the cozy interior. Soup was exceptional. And it was the pub where Eugene Levy interviewed Prince William late last year. I think they might have made reservations, but I’m not sure. And then you’ll have time to wander!

The Two Brewers is delightful! :-)

But I would recommend walking into Eton. The walk is short, very pretty, and takes you across the Thames. There are a couple of darling pubs in Eton, and quite a few charactistic shops selling school uniforms, books, antiques, etc.

There’s a good burger joint on the lefthand side in Eton as you cross the bridge. And on the right, Coté, which is part of a chain but is very nice - very slightly on the fancier side. Worth it when we went.

(OMG jane! I wish we could have been lucky enough to get an impromptu tour of Eton College - what brilliant fun!)

We were in a burger /fries mood and enjoyed both at a FIVE GUYS right there on the main drag of Windsor after our time at the castle….it tasted SO GOOD!