Windsor Castle Tour & Thames River Cruise: Is It Worth the Trip from London?
We’re taking you on a complete travel experience to Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom, followed by an informative and relaxing 40-minute boat cruise along the River Thames. If you’re planning a trip to London or looking for the best day trips from London, this video will help you decide if Windsor Castle and a Thames River cruise are genuinely worth your time and money. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and one of the most popular royal attractions in England. In this video, we walk you through the Windsor Castle grounds, share historical facts, show what you can expect to see during your visit, and give our honest thoughts from a first-time visitor’s perspective. After exploring Windsor Castle, we hop aboard a scenic Thames River cruise. This guided boat tour offers beautiful views of the English countryside, riverside towns, and iconic landmarks along the Thames. We break down what the cruise includes, how long it lasts, and whether it’s a good add-on to a Windsor Castle day trip.
Is Windsor Castle actually worth the trip, or should you stay in Central London? We headed out to the historic town of Windsor to tour the world’s oldest inhabited castle and take a cruise down the River Thames to see if this royal destination lives up to the hype.
Stepping Into History at Windsor Castle
We started our day by walking over the bridge from Eton into Windsor. The town itself feels like stepping back in time, with narrow cobblestone streets and the famous "crooked house" leaning over the sidewalk.
Windsor Castle is massive—it’s the largest continuously inhabited castle in the world and has been a royal home for over 1,000 years. We spent a few hours exploring the grounds and the interior, and a few things really stood out:
St. George’s Chapel: This was a major highlight. It’s a beautiful piece of architecture and the final resting place for many monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Mary’s Dolls' House: You can’t film inside, but this is a must-see. It’s incredibly detailed with working lights and running water—all at a 1:12 scale.
The State Apartments: These rooms are stunningly grand. If you’re a history or art fan, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to walk through these.
Cruising the River Thames
After finishing up at the castle, we headed down to the water for a 40-minute boat tour. For £13 per person, it’s a great way to relax and see the town from a different angle.
During the cruise, we got a great view of Eton College (where Prince William and Harry went to school) and learned some fun facts, like the fact that the Windsor Racecourse is actually located on an island!
Pro Tip: The One-Year Pass
One of the best values we found was the ticket policy. If you buy your ticket directly from the Royal Collection Trust and have it stamped before you leave, it becomes a 1-year pass, allowing you to come back for free as many times as you want for a full year.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Without a doubt, Windsor is worth the visit. It’s only about 20 minutes from Heathrow, making it a perfect stop if you have a long layover or want a break from the busyness of London. Between the deep history of the castle and the views from the Thames, it’s a solid "yes" from us.
Have you visited Windsor Castle or taken a cruise on the Thames? Let us know what you thought in the comments of the video!
