Old Windsor: History, Church and Windsor Great Park

Old Windsor is interesting for trip planning from several perspectives: the area’s history spans an elite settlement over several centuries and changes after around 1100; the Church of St Peter and St Andrew features building phases from the early 13th century to its restoration in the 19th century. Windsor Great Park and the offerings at Windsor Farm Shop are also highlights. If you’re looking for hotels in Old Windsor, you can first decide whether history, the park or local products are your priority.

Old Windsor and its early history

Old Windsor was the oldest Saxon town in Berkshire and the seat of Edward the Confessor. Saxon and early Norman remains represent an elite settlement that lasted for several centuries—until the founding of Windsor Castle and New Windsor, and into the period immediately afterwards.

After around 1100, Old Windsor gradually lost importance as Windsor Castle was built two miles upriver. This sequence links a long period of settlement with a later, gradual shift in significance. This makes it possible to distinguish the early history of Old Windsor chronologically from the changes that accompanied the construction of the castle.

Church of St Peter and St Andrew: several building phases

The Church of St Peter and St Andrew contains fabric dating from the early 13th century. The chancel and nave were partly rebuilt in the mid-14th century. Sir Gilbert Scott restored the church in 1863–64, adding a north chancel aisle, a south porch and a spire.

The chancel and nave are different parts of a church building: the nave is the main body of the church, while the chancel is the liturgical area by the altar. The rebuilding partly affected both areas, not the whole building. The building’s history therefore includes older fabric, rebuilding and a later restoration with additions.

The Saxon and early Norman remains represent an elite settlement lasting several centuries; the church, by contrast, brings together different building phases in a single structure. The archaeological history of the settlement and the chronology of a building thus offer two distinct ways to explore Old Windsor’s past.

Windsor Great Park

Windsor Great Park is open year-round and admission is free. Most of Windsor Great Park lies within the boundaries of the parish of Old Windsor. Its year-round opening makes the park a possible focus regardless of the season.

For specific visit planning, it’s advisable to check the latest official visitor information, as operational details may change. This lets you take the confirmed visitor arrangements and guidance for your planned visit into account together.

Products at Windsor Farm Shop

Windsor Farm Shop offers a wide range of products from British speciality food producers, local artisans and Windsor Farms. The butcher’s counter offers beef and pork from Windsor Farms’ own livestock; the deli counter stocks artisan British cheeses.

The range therefore brings together products with different origins: products from British speciality food producers and local artisans sit alongside produce from Windsor Farms. The two counters also offer different product groups: Windsor Farms meat on one side and artisan-made British cheese on the other.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Sunningdale, Ascot, Wraysbury, Maidenhead, Windsor, Sunninghill, Datchet, Hurley.

For the broader travel guide: Windsor And Maidenhead.