Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Windsor by Boat
The most appealing way to see the area
around Windsor is from the water. Infor-
mative
boat tours
depart from Windsor
Promenade, Barry Avenue, for a 40-
minute round-trip to Boveney Lock. The
cost is £5.40 for adults, £2.70 for chil-
dren 5 to 15. You can also take a 2-hour
tour through Boveney Lock and up past
lavish private riverside homes, the Bray
Film Studios, Queens Eyot, and Monkey
Island for £8.60 for adults, £4.30 for
children. In addition, there's a 45-minute
tour from Runnymede on board the
Lucy
Fisher,
a replica of a Victorian paddle
steamer. It passes Magna Carta Island,
among other sights, and costs £5.40
for adults, £2.70 for children. The boats
offer light refreshments and have a well-
stocked bar; the decks are covered in
case of an unexpected shower. Tours
are operated by
French Brothers, Ltd.,
Clewer Boathouse, Clewer Court Road,
Windsor (
&
01753/851900;
www.
boat-trips.co.uk).
and decorative objects. The Crimson Drawing Room is evocative of the king's flam-
boyant taste, with its crimson silk damask hangings and sumptuous art. The
Draw-
ings Gallery
shows revolving exhibitions of material from the royal library.
We recommend that you take a free guided tour of the castle precincts (30 min.).
Guides are very well informed and recapture the rich historical background of the
castle. With more time, consider the enlightening behind-the-scenes tours of the
Great Kitchen
(30 min; selected dates in Aug and Sept).
Castle Hill, Windsor.
&
01753/831118
(information line);
&
020/7766-7300
(for tickets). www.royal
collection.org.uk. Admission £16.50 adults, £15 students and seniors, £9.90 children 5-17, free for chil-
dren 4 and under, £43.50 family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children 16 and under). Mar-Oct daily
9:45am-5:15pm; Nov-Feb daily 9:45am-4:15pm. Last admission 1 hr. before closing. Closed for periods
in Apr, June, and Dec, when the royal family is in residence.
Windsor Farm Shop
SHOP Had any of the Queen's jars of jam lately, or
maybe her homemade pork pie, or a bottle of her special brew? If not, head for this
outlet, which sells produce from her estates outside Windsor, including pheasants
and partridges bagged at royal shoots. The cream, yogurt, ice cream, and milk come
from the two royal dairy farms. The meat counter is especially awesome, with its
cooked hams and massive ribs of beef. The steak-and-ale pies are quite tasty. You can
also purchase 15-year-old whisky from Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Stock up on the
Queen's vittles and head for a picnic in the area.
Datchet Rd., Old Windsor.
&
01753/623800.
www.windsorfarmshop.co.uk. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun
10am-5pm.
Where to Eat
Cornucopia Bistro
FRENCH Justly regarded as the best deal in town, this
French restaurant is usually full, so book ahead if you can. The dining room is simple
and perennially under-staffed (though service is always friendly), but this is all about
the exquisite food: Think perfectly steamed mussels, venison and red-wine pâté, but-
tery lamb shank, and top-notch wine. Set menus (which change weekly) are a real
bargain at £13 to £14 for three courses.
6 High St., Windsor.
&
01753/833009.
www.cornucopia-bistro.co.uk. Reservations recommended.
Main courses £13-£20. AE, MC, V. Mon-Thurs noon-2:30pm and 6-9:30pm; Fri-Sat noon-2:30pm and
6-10pm; Sun noon-2:30pm.
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