The Captivating Scenery of Beautiful Windsor, UK and Beyond

This is the final post on Town and Country Living about my trip to the United Kingdom this past summer. Links to the previous posts including Reading and the Cotswold area are at the end of today’s photos, in case you missed them. Today I’m showcasing mostly beautiful Windsor, with a few photos of Eton and London.

Park Street is a charming lane in downtown Windsor and this photo shows a lamppost just outside Two Brewers pub. We didn’t go inside because there was so little time and so much to see.

 

Here’s the residential street in Windsor that leads to the Airbnb where my daughter and I stayed. All the streets in England are narrow and driving there is a white knuckle experience if you’re not used to it.

 

We stayed in this townhouse building during our visit to beautiful Windsor. We later transferred to a hotel in Reading for the waterlily symposium. Our Windsor rental was within walking distance to downtown, Windsor Castle, and the train station that took us to London for a day trip.

 

A walk around the town of Windsor revealed interesting buildings and architecture. It’s a quaint yet bustling town and well worth a visit.

 

We walked past this charming bar almost every day since it’s enroute to stores and restaurants.

 

The historic 17th century Guildhall is a very short walk from Windsor Castle and is located on High Street in the heart of town.

 

We walked past the colorful Ivy Windsor Brasserie while exploring Windsor on foot and decided we needed to come back for dinner. The interior is quite eclectic and colorful.

 

Inside, a mix of artwork plays against the opulent wallpaper while the dining chairs feature botanical fabric prints.

 

Even the bathroom was pretty amazing.

 

At the end of Peascod Street in beautiful Windsor, you’ll see the Queen’s castle lit up at night. This street is for pedestrians only, lined with cafes, pubs, and quaint boutiques.

 

Here’s a view of Windsor Castle from High Street. I was surprised how close the castle is to the street. I expected a lot of property to surround it and keep it further away from the masses.

 

My daughter and I took a self-guided tour of Windsor Castle and it didn’t disappoint. Each room that we saw contained so much history and grandeur.

 

Windsor Castle is like a walled city inside a city. Some areas have been made public while most of the castle is private.

 

We went inside St. George’s Chapel where Harry and Meghan were married. It’s also the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II. We walked right past her tomb and Prince Phillip’s which felt a bit strange to me, but allows the public a chance to pay their respects.

 

My daughter snapped this photo inside the castle before learning you aren’t allowed to take photos unless given special permission. I think this is one of the Queen’s dining rooms. Every room is like this and I can’t help but wonder how much wealth is contained within the castle’s walls.

 

Beautiful Windsor is located on the River Thames and crossing this bridge takes you into Eton, where William and Harry went to school.

 

I like the salmon color of The George restaurant in Eton.

 

Here’s a random gated residential garden along the main street through Eton.

 

Back in Windsor, Stephanie and I enjoyed high tea at the gorgeous Orchid Tea Room at the Fairmont Windsor Park. I love the wallpaper panels and little lights overhead. It was the perfect setting for a lovely tea with finger sandwiches, English scones, and various tiny desserts – along with tea and champagne.

 

I can’t say enough about the scones on the bottom plate. They’re moist and slightly sweet. We ate them with clotted cream which was fabulous. I learned ahead of time that you start your afternoon tea with the bottom plate and work your way up.

 

Moving onto London, it was worth a day trip of sight-seeing, although the center of town is extremely crowded. We stuck to quieter neighborhoods like Belgravia and Westminster. We stumbled upon Chestnut Bakery in Belgravia (where Buckminster Palace is located). They have the best pastries I’ve ever tasted.

 

Just down the street is another divine bakery, Peggy Porschen Cakes. I love how much pink there is all around the UK.

 

You can enjoy your cakes and tea inside or out at Peggy Porschen in Belgravia.

 

On our way back to the train station to head back to beautiful Windsor, we passed Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Memorial.

 

I had to take a photo of the London Eye. Would have loved to take a ride on it but the line was extremely long. Like I said, London is crowded and be advised that people do not move to the side on the sidewalk to make room for oncoming people. It’s really weird. I wondered if people would just run into you if you didn’t move first and the answer is yes! They’ll run right into you. LOL.

 

Would I go back to the United Kingdom? Yes, I would. The seven-hour flight isn’t bad. Just watch a couple movies and you’re there. It’s not hard to get around (even if you’re driving – you just have to be careful) since all the signs are in English and you can read them! The food was fabulous – my daughter tried her first Scotch egg and loved it. And we both became addicted to clotted cream!

 

See More Inspiration from the UK

The Best Cotswold Village

Historic Market Town Celebrates Its Rich Cotswold Heritage

Explore Amazing Bibury in the Cotswolds

What You’ll Find in Historic Reading, UK

 Charming Cotswold Cottages and Other Reasons to Visit England