Lifestyle & Health

Windsor: A Royal Tourist Destination and An Even Better Place to Call Home

March 14, 2025

While thousands of visitors will flock to our royal town over the coming weeks and months to experience its world-famous attractions, those of us fortunate enough to call Windsor home know there’s something even more special about living here year-round. The picturesque streets, historical landmarks, and vibrant community that tourists glimpse briefly become the everyday backdrop to a lifestyle that’s truly exceptional.

English Tourism Week: Celebrating Our Visitor Economy

English Tourism Week, led by VisitEngland, and delivered in early Spring, served as an annual celebration of England’s diverse and vibrant tourism sector. With the theme of “Supporting people and places to drive growth,” the initiative highlights how tourism contributes significantly to our economy and communities. Tourism in England generates over £100 billion annually and supports approximately 2.6 million jobs nationwide. The week provides an essential opportunity for destinations like Windsor to showcase their unique offerings while raising awareness among stakeholders, including MPs and local decision-makers, about tourism’s vital economic contributions.

Windsor stands proudly as one of England’s premier tourist destinations, with Windsor Castle—the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world—drawing visitors from across the globe. During English Tourism Week, our local attractions, restaurants, and accommodation providers collaborate to welcome tourists and demonstrate why Windsor deserves its reputation as a must-visit destination.

Beyond Tourism: The Unparalleled Windsor Lifestyle

While we celebrate the tourism industry that brings so much vibrancy to our town, Windsor offers far more than just picturesque photo opportunities for weekend visitors. Living here means experiencing a unique blend of historical significance, modern amenities, and exceptional quality of life that tourists can only imagine.

A Town Steeped in Royal History and Culture

As residents, we don’t just visit Windsor Castle once—we live in its majestic shadow every day. The castle, a royal residence for over 900 years, becomes part of our daily backdrop, a constant reminder of the rich historical tapestry woven into Windsor’s identity.

Beyond the castle walls, Windsor’s streets feature beautifully preserved period homes, historical cottages, and designated conservation areas that create a living museum of architectural heritage spanning centuries. Our homeowners enjoy this historical ambiance as part of everyday life, not just as a fleeting tourist experience.

Perfectly Positioned with Outstanding Connectivity

Windsor’s location provides an ideal balance between peaceful riverside living and exceptional connectivity. Just 20-22 miles west of London, residents benefit from quick access to the capital via two train stations—Windsor & Eton Riverside and Windsor & Eton Central—with journeys to London Waterloo taking as little as 30 minutes. This makes Windsor perfect for commuters who want to escape London’s hustle while maintaining easy access to its opportunities.

The proximity to major transport networks doesn’t end there. Windsor sits conveniently close to the M4 and M3 motorways, providing excellent road connections throughout the UK. Perhaps most notably for international travellers, Heathrow Airport is just 11-15 miles away, putting global destinations within remarkably easy reach. This combination of tranquil living with outstanding connectivity creates a lifestyle that tourists can only glimpse during their brief visits.

A Vibrant Community with Exceptional Amenities

Living in Windsor means enjoying a thriving community atmosphere with amenities that cater to every aspect of daily life. The town centre bustles with cosmopolitan restaurants, charming cafés, and diverse shopping opportunities that residents can enjoy year-round. Sebastian’s Italian restaurant, with its wood-fired pizzas and friendly service, becomes a regular haunt rather than a one-time tourist dining experience.

Windsor’s landscape offers abundant natural beauty, with the Thames flowing gracefully through town and extensive green spaces perfect for outdoor activities. Residents can regularly enjoy rowing, sailing, or simply walking along the riverside paths that tourists might experience only once.

This blend of natural splendour and urban convenience creates a lifestyle that’s simultaneously stimulating and relaxing.

Safety, Education, and Well-being

Windsor offers more than just aesthetic appeal—it provides the foundations for a secure and fulfilling life. The area enjoys a lower crime rate compared to the England average, creating a sense of safety and community trust. For families, Windsor boasts excellent educational options, with state primary schools rated “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted, alongside the world-famous Eton College nearby.

The quality of life in Windsor manifests in tangible ways: life expectancy exceeds the national average, as do happiness levels and median income.

These statistics reflect the genuine contentment that comes from living in a place where history, beauty, and modern amenities converge seamlessly.

Year-Round Access to World-Class Attractions

While tourists rush to fit Windsor Castle, Legoland, and Windsor Great Park into a packed itinerary, residents can enjoy these world-class attractions at leisure, often during quieter periods away from peak tourist seasons.

Living in Windsor means having Legoland’s 55 interactive innovations practically on your doorstep for impromptu family outings, or taking a peaceful stroll through Windsor Great Park when the mood strikes.

Experience Windsor’s Magic for Yourself

We invite you to consider the even greater rewards of making this royal town your home.

The blend of historical grandeur, modern convenience, and genuine community creates a lifestyle that visitors can only glimpse during their brief stays.

If you’re exploring Windsor this summer take time to see the town through a homeowner’s eyes. And while you’re here, why not pop into Castle View for a visit?

Discover how retirement living in Windsor combines all the benefits of this extraordinary location with a supportive community designed specifically for this chapter of life. After all, Windsor isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a remarkable place to live.