Current Time in Windsor, United Kingdom

Windsor is a historic town in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in the county of Berkshire, situated on the south bank of the River Thames approximately 20 miles west of central London. It is one of the most visited towns in England and one of the most recognisable in the world, defined above all by Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle on earth and the principal weekend residence of the British royal family. The town's proximity to the capital and its enduring royal associations make it one of the most internationally famous small towns in the United Kingdom.

Windsor has a population of around 32,000 people, though the town is visited by several million tourists each year, a figure that reflects its status as a global heritage destination rather than its modest size. The local economy is dominated by tourism, retail, and hospitality, with a significant proportion of businesses oriented toward serving the large and international visitor population. The Royal Borough as a whole is one of the most prosperous local authority areas in England, with high employment rates and a high standard of living.

Windsor has been a royal stronghold since William the Conqueror chose the site for a fortification shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The original timber castle was rebuilt in stone by Henry II in the twelfth century, and subsequent monarchs expanded and embellished it over the centuries. It has been a royal residence ever since, making it the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The Castle was the principal residence of King George III and Queen Victoria, and it was here that the royal house took the name Windsor in 1917, abandoning its German name of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha during the First World War.

Windsor Castle is by far the most important attraction in the town. The State Apartments, open to the public when not in use for official functions, contain one of the finest collections of royal art in the world, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, and Van Dyck. St George's Chapel within the castle precincts is a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and the burial place of ten monarchs, including Henry VIII, King Charles I, and most recently King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. The Long Walk, a three-mile avenue of trees stretching south from the castle through Windsor Great Park to the Copper Horse statue of George III, is one of the most impressive royal vistas in England.

Windsor Great Park, covering approximately 5,000 acres south of the castle, is a magnificent royal park that includes woodland, gardens, a lake, and the famous Valley Gardens. The Savill Garden within the park is one of the finest ornamental gardens in England. The town of Windsor itself has a pleasant high street, numerous restaurants and cafes, and a variety of shops catering to visitors and locals alike. Across the river in Berkshire, the town of Eton, linked to Windsor by a bridge, is home to the famous Eton College, one of the most renowned independent schools in the world.

Windsor is very well connected by public transport. Windsor and Eton Central station is served by direct trains to London Paddington via Slough, and Windsor and Eton Riverside station has direct services to London Waterloo, both journeys taking under an hour. The town is also accessible by road via the M4 motorway and is close to Heathrow Airport, making it easily reachable from international destinations. Within the town, most attractions are within comfortable walking distance.

Eton College, founded by Henry VI in 1440, is located in the neighbouring town of Eton and is closely associated with Windsor. It is one of the most famous schools in the world and has educated nineteen British Prime Ministers as well as many of the world's most prominent figures. The connection between Windsor and Eton gives the area an educational prestige that extends far beyond its size.

Windsor hosts a number of notable annual events, including the Royal Windsor Horse Show, one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the world, held in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The Changing of the Guard ceremony at Windsor Castle, held regularly, is one of the most popular spectacles for visitors. The town is also associated with the legend of Herne the Hunter, a ghostly figure said to haunt Windsor Great Park, which Shakespeare referenced in The Merry Wives of Windsor, a comedy set in the town.

Windsor is a town where the living institution of the British monarchy is most tangibly present, from the castle's towers rising above the rooftops to the sight of royal carriages moving through the streets. Its combination of genuine royal heritage, outstanding architecture, beautiful parkland, and easy access from London makes it one of England's most compelling and indelibly English destinations, offering visitors a vivid encounter with over a thousand years of royal history.