STUDENT TOURS & GROUP TRAVEL

Tour Details:

Welcome on a student tour to Windsor & Winchester.

Student Top Attractions in Windsor

Timing

All times are given as a guideline and depend on circumstances.

• Main departures: Bournemouth 8.30am / Oxford 9am
• 10am arrive in Windsor
• 45 minute guided walking tour of Windsor
• Free time for lunch and sights shops and attractions
• 1.30pm depart to Winchester
• 2.30pm arrive in Winchester
• 1 hour guided walking tour of Winchester
• Free time for sights, shops and attractions
• Departure 5.15pm
• Return to finish in Bournemouth 6.30pm or Oxford 7pm

Itinerary

On this tour we will visit Royal Windsor to see the favourite home of the Queen, Windsor Castle (tickets are usually available to buy on the day for about £18). 

We will take you on a short walking tour then you have free time for lunch or visiting the Castle or possibly take a walk over the River Thames to Eton home of Eton College, one of the best schools in the UK. After Windsor we depart to continue our journey for an hour to Winchester.

On the Winchester tour you will see Britains oldest public school (Winchester College), one of the largest and best Cathedrals in Europe (free entry on Sunday or small charge on Saturday) and the former home of author Jane Austen (no entry allowed). 

You will have the opportunity to see the Great Hall (part of Winchester Castle), which ruled much of the country over 1000 years ago and discover its links to the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur.

Windsor

The town of Windsor is home to Windsor Castle; a royal home for over 900 years, the town contains many historic buildings and also Windsor Great Park, once a royal hunting ground which stretches for several miles south of Windsor Castle. Every other Saturday you will be able to see the Queen’s guard and band march through the centre of the town. 

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is one of the three official residences of the Queen, when the Queen is at ‘home’ the royal standard flies from the top of the Round Tower. At all other times you will see the Union Flag. Windsor Museum comprises a collection of over 6,300 objects from the Bronze Age to the present day including maps, books and paintings. 

Eton College

Take the chance to visit Eton nearby about a 15 minute walk from Windsor and see one of England’s most prestigious and expensive schools. Prince William and Prince Harry were educated and many Prime Ministers including David Cameron.

Winchester

Winchester is a city and the county town of Hampshire. It has recently been voted the best place to live in the UK!

The present form of the city dates to reconstruction in the late 9th century, when King Alfred the Great obliterated the Roman street plan in favour of a new structure to provide better defence against the Vikings.

Winchester is a charming and handsome city and one of the most desirable places to live in England. Popular for its quaint style and architecture. It is most well known for its 11th century Winchester Cathedral and for the Great Hall (Winchester Castle) which showcases the mysterious Round Table from the legend of the "Knights of the Round Table". It also has in an former unfinished palace now transformed into Military Museums. It also has the house and resting place of Jane Austen, one of Englands greatest writers.

Things to do and see:

Winchester Cathedral (Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity) is one of the longest and largest cathedrals in Europe and dominates a large area of Winchester with its Gothic formidable style. This building dates back to the year 1079 and is the final resting place to many ancient Kings of England and author Jane Austen who died in Winchester in 1817. It has also been witness to royal coronations and royal weddings such as Queen Mary of England with King Philip II of Spain (1554). Entrance: £4 for students (open to visitors till 5pm or Sundays 3pm). Usually free with our group on Sundays

The Great Hall and Round Table is part of Winchester Castle (mostly destroyed but this part was saved during the English Civil War from destruction) and it began in 1067 by William the Conqueror. Winchester was identified as Camelot due to its location and as it had the presence of the Round Table, used by King Arthur and his Knights and the story tells of them receiving visions of the Holy Grail and their determined search to find it begins. The Round Table is thought to be an imitation made in the 13th Century by King Edward as the original would have dated back to the 6th Century when King Arthur was believed to have lived. It was painted in colour for King Henry VIII about 500 years ago. On the table it displays King Arthur and the names of his Knights such as Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. Entrance: Donations or small charge

City Museum located near Winchester Cathedral has many displays on the varied history of Winchester from the Roman times onward and well worth a visit. Entrance: FREE (open till 5pm including Sundays)

Pennisula Barracks (Military Museums), In the 17th century, King Charles II planned to build King's House commissioning famous architect Sir Christopher Wren to design a royal palace to rival the Palace of Versailles. The project was abandoned by King James II. The buildings have been used by the British army until recently and even the American army used it in preparation for the D-Day landings in WWII. In 1994 all but 3 buildings were sold for use as private residences and the remaining 3 are used for military museums available to the public. Entrance: varied costs (some of the 5 museums are not open Sundays)

Westgate Museum showcases various items of weaponry. Entrance: FREE and open till 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

House of Jane Austen, private residence therefore no entry allowed, only photos outside. Jane is buried at Winchester Cathedral.

Winchester College. Oldest public school in Britain thats been in continuous use dating back to the 14th Century. Entrance: (guided tour time slot 3.30pm) £6 student price

The City Cross (also known as the Buttercross) has been dated to the 15th century, and features 12 statues of the Virgin Mary, saints and various historical figures. Several statues appear to have been added throughout the structure's history.

Shopping is available in the high street or its modern indoor shopping malls.

Please follow the advice of your tour manager and make sure that you are at the various pick up points and departures at the correct times.