Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
shops, mostly the usual chains but also locally owned
Simply Windsor Gifts
(
&
07799/622649;
www.simplywindsorgifts.co.uk) and
Essentially Soap
(
&
07711/182363;
www.essentiallysoap.co.uk).
A colorful traditional English perfumery,
Woods of Windsor,
50 High St.
(
&
01753/868125;
www.woodsofwindsor.co.uk), dates from 1770. It offers soaps,
shampoos, scented drawer liners, and hand and body lotions, all prettily packaged in
pastel-floral and bright old-fashioned wraps.
At
Billings & Edmonds,
132 High St., Eton (
&
01753/861348;
www.billings
andedmonds.co.uk), you may think you've blundered into a time warp. This distinc-
tive clothing store supplies school wear, suits made to order, and a complete line of
cufflinks, shirts, ties, and accessories.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Except for pub life, Windsor is fairly quiet at night. The major cultural venue is
The-
atre Royal,
Thames Street (
&
01753/853888;
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk),
with a tradition of putting on plays that goes back 2 centuries. This is one of the finest
regional theatres in England, often drawing first-rate actors from London's West End.
The box office is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm (call the phone number
above for bookings). Performances are Monday to Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on
Thursday at 2:30pm and Saturday at 4:45pm. Most tickets cost between £11 and £30.
Where to Stay
EXPENSIVE
Macdonald Windsor Hotel
Opening in 2010 in the heart of Windsor, the
Macdonald is currently the top choice in town, with plush, comfy rooms, hearty break-
fasts, and even under-floor heating in the bathrooms for those chilly English winters.
The Georgian townhouse was given an artful makeover by award-winning interior
designer Amanda Rosa, blending contemporary style with original Georgian fittings.
23 High St., Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LH. www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/windsor.
&
0844/8799101.
120
units. £145-£180 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking £18-£22. Children 12 and under stay free in parent's
room.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; room service.
In room:
A/C, TV, minibar, Wi-Fi (free).
The Oakley Court
Built beside the Thames by a Victorian industrialist, the
castle-like Oakley Court is hard to match for historic ambience and classical English
country style. Today it's affiliated with the Principal Hayley hotel chain. The build-
ing's jutting Gothic gables and bristling turrets have appeared in several classic Ham-
mer horror movies, as well as
The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Although the grandest
public areas are in the main house, most rooms are in a trio of well-accessorized
modern wings that ramble through the estate's 15 hectares (37 acres) of parks and
gardens. Most suites offer four-poster beds and views of the River Thames.
Windsor Rd., Water Oakley, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5UR. www.principal-hayley.com.
&
01753/609988.
Fax: 01628/637011. 118 units. £125-£250 double; £225-£310 suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Take the river road,
A308, 3 miles from Windsor toward Maidenhead. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; babysitting;
health club; Jacuzzi; indoor heated pool; room service; sauna; 2 outdoor tennis courts.
In room:
A/C, TV,
hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (£6.50 per hr. or £15 per 24 hr.).
The Runnymede-On-Thames
Because of the dearth of top-of-the-line
hotels within Windsor itself, more and more guests are seeking out this hotel and spa
on the shady banks of the Thames between Windsor and Staines. Rooms are smart,
spacious, and stylish, with plenty of extras (free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, and so forth), and
5
