Windsor is a royal town on the banks of the River Thames, crowned by the oldest and largest continuously occupied castle in the world. The castle has been a residence of British monarchs for nearly a thousand years, and its presence shapes everything about this compact, walkable destination: the Changing of the Guard ceremony marches through the High Street, horse-drawn carriages clip along the Long Walk, and Eton College sits just across the river with its own centuries of history. Beyond the royal spectacle, Windsor delivers surprisingly good food and drink, from traditional riverside pubs to the Windsor and Eton Brewery taproom, and the 5,000-acre Windsor Great Park opens up for walks among ancient trees and semi-wild red deer.
The best time to visit Windsor is late May through September, except for a stretch in early June when conditions can briefly dip. This window puts you in town for the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May, Royal Ascot in June, the swan upping on the Thames in mid-July, and the Windsor Fringe Festival in early autumn, all while the weather cooperates for strolling the Long Walk and picnicking along the river. Summer highs averaging 72.4°F (22.4°C) make outdoor sightseeing comfortable without excessive heat, and the long daylight hours (the sun doesn't set until after 9pm in June) let you pack more into each day. If you'd rather dodge peak crowds and summer pricing, late September is a strong shoulder-season pick with the driest conditions of the year and fall colour beginning to turn in Windsor Great Park.
Spring in Windsor, the United Kingdom
Windsor wakes up gradually in spring. March mornings are brisk, with lows around 40.3°F (4.6°C), but the daffodils in Windsor Great Park and the Savill Garden start putting on a show worth the chill. Rain is relatively infrequent this time of year, with March and April among the driest months, so you can explore the Long Walk or wander across the river into Eton without getting caught in frequent downpours. Pack layers: afternoons warm to highs of 59.5°F (15.3°C), comfortable enough for a riverside lunch, but you'll want a jacket for the morning guard march.
The season builds to a crescendo in May, when the Royal Windsor Horse Show takes over the private grounds of Windsor Castle. This prestigious equestrian event typically runs for several days and draws royal family members alongside top riders from around the world. By late May, visitor numbers are approaching their peak, so book Windsor Castle tickets in advance to avoid long queues at the Henry VIII Gate. The bank holidays in early and late May also bring domestic crowds, particularly along the Thames Path and through Eton's High Street.
Daylight lengthens dramatically through spring, reaching over 15 hours by the end of May. Those extra evening hours are ideal for taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Great Park or settling into a pub garden along Park Street. Accommodation pricing starts climbing as the season progresses, so March and early April offer better value if you don't need the festival atmosphere.
Summer in Windsor, the United Kingdom
Summer is when Windsor operates at full volume. Royal Ascot, the five-day horse racing spectacle famous for its champagne, fine dining, and elaborate hats, takes place in June and draws visitors from around the world. The Long Walk hosts live music events and outdoor performances against the backdrop of the castle. River cruises and boat trips on the Thames run at their most frequent schedules, and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is in full swing for families. Free weekend band performances at the Alexandra Gardens bandstand give you a reason to linger by the water on warm afternoons.
Highs average 72.4°F (22.4°C) with lows of 53.3°F (11.8°C), making it comfortable for full days on foot without the oppressive heat you'd find further south in Europe. Late July brings the warmest stretch, with highs reaching 75.4°F (24.1°C) and overnight lows of 56.4°F (13.6°C). That same mid-July period is when the ancient tradition of swan upping takes place: the Royal Swan Marker and team travel the Thames counting and checking the health of the swans, a spectacle you can watch from the riverbanks. Showers do pop up on roughly one to two days per week, so toss a compact rain jacket in your bag even on sunny mornings.
This is the busiest and most expensive season, with June drawing the highest visitor volumes of the year. The sun lingers past 9pm through June and July, giving you genuinely long evenings to explore Eton's cafes and antique shops or walk out to the Copper Horse statue at the far end of the Long Walk. Crossing the bridge to Eton early in the morning, before tour groups arrive, lets you enjoy the swans on the Thames and the quiet cobblestone streets at their most atmospheric.
Fall in Windsor, the United Kingdom
Autumn brings a welcome shift in pace. Windsor Great Park turns golden and russet through October, and the ancient oaks and red deer make the Long Walk feel cinematic on a crisp morning. September is one of the driest months of the year, making it an excellent time for outdoor exploring without the summer crowds. The Windsor Fringe Festival, the second oldest fringe festival in the UK after Edinburgh, typically runs across September and October with an eclectic lineup of music, drama, comedy, and visual arts spread across intimate venues in town.
Highs still average a pleasant 60.7°F (15.9°C), though mornings cool to 44°F (6.7°C) as the season progresses, so dress in layers for early walks. The Big Ascot Food and Wine Racing Weekend pairs gourmet dining with late-summer racing in early September, and the Ascot Beer Festival follows in early October with over 160 craft beers. Windsor Great Park Illuminated, a light and projection show in the park, typically launches in late November and continues into winter, adding a reason to visit as the evenings shorten. November is the wettest month, so plan indoor activities like the castle's State Apartments or a brewery tour at Windsor and Eton Brewery for the tail end of the season.
Visitor numbers drop noticeably after the school holidays end, and accommodation prices follow. You'll find it much easier to get into popular restaurants without a reservation and can enjoy the Changing of the Guard without jostling for a viewing spot. By November, daylight shrinks to under nine hours, so plan your outdoor time for the middle of the day and save museum visits for the bookends.
Winter in Windsor, the United Kingdom
Winter in Windsor is quiet and cold, with highs of just 47.5°F (8.6°C) and lows dropping to 34.6°F (1.4°C). Some January mornings may bring a dusting of snow to the castle turrets, though accumulation is modest. Rain falls several times a week across the season, and with fewer than eight hours of daylight in December, your outdoor window is short. The upside: Windsor Castle is open year-round (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays), and exploring the State Apartments and St George's Chapel without summer crowds lets you appreciate the paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck and the extraordinary Queen Mary's Dolls' House at your own pace.
The Christmas period brings festive atmosphere to the town centre, with shops and restaurants along Thames Street and Peascod Street dressed for the season. The castle sometimes hosts special events during UK school holidays, and Windsor Great Park Illuminated continues its run of light shows and floodlit fountain displays into January. The late December bank holidays around Christmas and St Stephen's Day mean some businesses close, so check ahead if you're visiting between Christmas and New Year.
This is the quietest and most affordable time to visit, with February seeing the lowest visitor numbers of any month. If you're primarily interested in the castle's interiors, a winter visit delivers the experience without the queues. Bundle up with a warm coat and waterproof boots, stop into a traditional pub for a pint of local ale to warm up, and embrace the short days by planning your sightseeing around the late-morning start and early-afternoon close of the limited daylight.
At a Glance
Monthly weather, visitor crowds, air quality, holidays, and daylight hours to help you plan your trip.
Travel Tips & Safety for Windsor, the United Kingdom
Getting to Windsor from London is straightforward. Direct trains from London Waterloo reach Windsor and Eton Riverside station in under an hour, and another line runs from London Paddington with a change at Slough to Windsor and Eton Central. Both stations are a short walk from the castle. Windsor is also less than 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport, making it an easy first or last stop on a UK trip. The town itself is compact and very walkable; you won't need a car unless you're heading to the outer reaches of Windsor Great Park or Virginia Water.
Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan around those days if the castle is a priority. The Changing of the Guard ceremony typically takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays, with the guards leaving Victoria Barracks around 10:50am, but the schedule varies monthly, so check the British Army website before your visit. Tipping in restaurants follows standard UK practice: a 10-12% service charge is often included, and you're not expected to tip beyond that.
Windsor is a safe, well-visited town, but as with any popular tourist destination, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded spots around the castle entrance and along the riverfront, particularly during summer weekends when day-trippers from London fill the streets.