Some of the best ways to explore Windsor don’t involve buying a ticket or planning a packed itinerary. Sometimes, all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and a few hours to see where the streets and footpaths take you.
One minute, you’re walking towards Windsor Castle. A little later, you’re surrounded by open parkland, following the River Thames or crossing into Eton for a look around its historic streets.
The beauty of Windsor is that you don’t have to travel far to experience something completely different. Whether you’re visiting for the first time, planning a weekend away or looking for a quieter side of the town, there are walking routes to suit different moods and energy levels.
If you’re searching for the best walks in Windsor, these five routes are a good place to start.
Best for: Iconic views, photography and a proper Windsor walk
Distance: Approximately 2.5 miles one way
Allow: Around 1.5–2 hours for a leisurely out-and-back walk, depending on how often you stop
If there’s one walk that belongs on your Windsor itinerary, it’s the Long Walk.
This broad, tree-lined avenue stretches from the area near Windsor Castle towards the Copper Horse statue at the far end of the route. The Castle provides a magnificent focal point, and as you walk away from it, you begin to appreciate the scale of the landscape surrounding the town.
It’s a particularly good route if you want that classic Windsor photograph, but it’s worth doing even if you aren’t interested in photography. The open views and long avenue make a welcome change from the busy streets around the town centre.
A tip for your walk: You don’t have to complete the entire route to enjoy it. Walk as far as you feel comfortable, stop to take in the view, and turn back when you’re ready. The return journey gives you a different perspective as Windsor Castle gradually comes back into view.
The Long Walk also works well as part of a wider day out. You could explore the town in the morning, take a walk in the afternoon and finish with a meal somewhere in Windsor.
For the best experience, check the weather before setting off and remember that this is a largely exposed route, so there isn’t much shelter if the weather turns.
Best for: Nature, longer walks and getting away from the town centre
Allow: A couple of hours or longer, depending on your route
If you enjoy walking somewhere that feels a little less urban, make time for Windsor Great Park.
The park covers a substantial landscape of open grassland, woodland, lakes and historic avenues. You can spend a few hours exploring without needing to follow a strict itinerary, which makes it a good option for visitors who prefer a slower pace.
The Long Walk forms part of the wider landscape, but Windsor Great Park offers much more than that famous avenue. Different areas have their own character, from wooded paths to open views across the parkland.
For a more structured walk, the estate’s official walking information includes suggested routes around the park. One option from the Savill Garden area heads towards the Long Walk and the Copper Horse, offering views across the treetops towards Windsor and beyond.
Before setting off, check the official Windsor Great Park website for route information, access details and any temporary closures.
Worth knowing: Windsor Great Park is much larger than the central Windsor sightseeing area. Check your starting point and transport arrangements before choosing a route, particularly if you’re planning a longer walk.
This is a lovely option for couples, families with older children or anyone who wants to balance the usual Windsor attractions with some time outdoors.
Best for: Riverside scenery, historic streets and a relaxed afternoon
Allow: Around 1–2 hours, depending on how far you walk and how long you stop
One of the easiest ways to see a different side of Windsor is to head towards the River Thames.
The riverside is a natural place to slow down. You’ll see boats on the water, people enjoying the promenade and views across towards Eton. Depending on where you start, you can combine the river with a walk through the town centre and across Windsor Bridge.
Once you’re over the bridge, Eton offers a noticeably different atmosphere. The High Street is lined with historic buildings, independent businesses and places to stop for coffee or lunch.
You can keep the walk simple by following the riverside and exploring the streets nearby, or use the official Eton Walkway to discover more of the town.
The Eton Walkway is a circular route of approximately two miles, taking around an hour and linking 18 points of interest. These include historic buildings, Eton College landmarks and places along the river.
It’s an excellent choice if you enjoy discovering the stories behind a place rather than simply passing through it.
Make an afternoon of it: Walk across to Eton, take your time exploring the High Street, find somewhere to eat and return to Windsor when you’re ready. There’s no need to rush through the experience.
Best for: An easy stroll, families and a shorter outdoor break
Allow: Around 30 minutes to an hour, or longer if you stop to relax
Not every walk needs to be a long-distance outing.
Alexandra Gardens, close to the Thames and Windsor town centre, offers a pleasant place to take a breather between sightseeing stops. The gardens have open green spaces, a bandstand and views towards the river and Eton.
It’s particularly useful if you’re visiting Windsor with children, travelling with someone who doesn’t want a long walk, or simply looking for somewhere to sit for a while.
You can combine the gardens with a stroll along the nearby riverside and a wander through the town centre without committing to a lengthy route.
It’s also an easy addition to a day that includes Windsor Castle. After spending time exploring historic interiors and busy streets, a little fresh air by the river can be a welcome change.
If you’re planning a family day out, this is the kind of stop that gives everyone a chance to slow down before moving on to the next activity.
Best for: History lovers and first-time visitors
Allow: Around 1–2 hours, depending on the route and stops
If you’d rather have a few points of interest to look out for as you walk, try one of the area’s self-guided heritage trails.
The Queen’s Walkway and Eton Walkway use markers and points of interest to help visitors discover the history, architecture and stories of Windsor and Eton.
The Windsor heritage trail takes in parts of the historic town, the area around Windsor Castle and the route towards the Thames and Eton. Meanwhile, the Eton Walkway gives you a more focused look at the town across the river.
This is a good way to explore beyond the obvious landmarks. Rather than simply walking from one attraction to another, you can pay attention to the buildings, streets and details you might otherwise overlook.
It’s also flexible. You can follow the trail at your own pace, stop for refreshments and spend longer at the places that interest you most.
For visitors who enjoy a little context with their sightseeing, a heritage walk can make Windsor feel much more familiar by the end of the day.
It depends on what you’d most like to see.
You can also combine several of these options. The riverside, town centre and Eton are particularly easy to bring together in one afternoon, while the Long Walk and Windsor Great Park can form the main focus of a separate outing.
Windsor is a lovely place to explore on foot, but a little planning will make your walk more enjoyable.
Wear comfortable shoes. Even a short route can turn into a longer outing when you start exploring side streets and stopping along the way.
Check the weather. The Long Walk and much of the parkland are exposed, so take a suitable layer and water, especially if you’re planning to be out for several hours.
Check access before travelling. Conditions and access arrangements can vary, particularly within Windsor Great Park. Check official visitor updates before setting off.
Allow time for stops. Some of the nicest parts of walking in Windsor happen when you pause for a coffee, explore a side street or sit beside the river.
Think about your starting point. If you’re staying centrally, several town-centre and riverside routes are easy to reach on foot. Longer walks in the Great Park may require more planning.
One of the best things about walking in Windsor is how easily it fits around everything else the town offers.
You could spend a morning on the Long Walk, have lunch in Windsor, cross the river to Eton in the afternoon and finish the day with dinner. Or you could dedicate a whole day to Windsor Great Park and leave the following morning free for a more relaxed riverside stroll.
Staying overnight means you don’t have to fit everything into a single day. You can choose a route based on the weather, take your time and return to somewhere comfortable afterwards.
Castle Properties offers serviced houses and apartments across Windsor and Eton, giving visitors different options depending on their group size and the kind of break they’re planning.
From centrally located Windsor properties to the Silversmith Court apartments in Eton, you can explore the accommodation collection and find a base that suits your plans.
Planning a Windsor escape?
Explore our Windsor and Eton properties and start planning a stay that leaves plenty of time to explore on foot.
Sometimes, the best way to get to know Windsor is simply to put on your walking shoes and see where the day takes you.
