Windsor

Friday, midday

Escape the crowds by checking into the Runnymede on Thames (doubles from £120, www.runnymedehotel.com), a recently refurbished family run hotel right on the river bank.

12:30pm

Head along the river for a brasserie style lunch on the waterfront at Cote (www.coterestaurants.co.uk) in Eton.

1:30pm

Windsor Castle (www. royalcollection.org.uk) is the unmissable attraction, easily swallowing up a half day, more if you want to get under the skin of the Royal heritage and how they live today.

6pm

Enjoy a sundowner back at the Runnymede in their spruced up Lock Bar, or if you’re feeling flush hire out one of their boats. If it’s available the Hottug boasts a hot tub.

8pm

The best steak in town is courtesy of Marco Pierre White at his Steakhouse Bar & Grill (www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk). The chateaubriand is fit for a king, or queen.

Saturday, 9am

Join the ducks and swans for a riverside stroll along the Thames in the footsteps of British royalty and Shakespeare.

Midday

A boat trip is the ideal way to really appreciate Windsor and its environs. The new Bateaux Windsor (www. bateauxwindsor.com) vessel offers one and a half hour cruises with views of Windsor Castle and Eton.

2pm

Make the short trip to Cliveden (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden), a palatial historic house which also boasts gardens whose highlight is a six-acre parterre alive with more than 30,000 plants and bulbs.

7pm

Head back to the river for dinner on the terrace at the recently revamped Sir Christopher Wren hotel (https://sirchristopherwren.co.uk/).

Sunday, 9am

Windsor’s other massive attraction is Legoland Windsor Resort (www. legoland.co.uk), so if you have kids in tow make a beeline for arguably Britain’s finest family theme park. Alternatively relax at the spa, or in the indoor or outdoor swimming pool, back at the Runnymede. ■

Virgin (www.virgintrainseastcoast.com) offer trips to Windsor from a variety of Scottish railway stations. For tourist information see www. windsor.gov.uk