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By Mollie Quirk
[ad-pr visit – I was gifted the Simply Windsor Afternoon Tour trip by Golden Tours]
As a huge fan of the Royal Family, when I got offered the opportunity to go to Windsor Castle on an afternoon coach trip, I just couldn’t pass. I had always wanted to visit Windsor – both the town and the castle – so it was truly a dream to travel from London with Golden Tours.
I’m a huge fan of Golden Tours, and have been ever since I discovered them back in 2021. My first experience with this company was when I purchased tickets for their London By Night tour to see the Christmas lights. I then went again the following year on a gifted trip, before heading on an Afternoon Tea tour with them earlier this year, and then of course, my recent Simply Windsor Tour.
I wasn’t too sure of what to expect as I’m not really into guided trips, but this trip wasn’t guided per se and it had a really chilled and personable vibe. Meeting at Bus Stop 1, Bulleid Way, Victoria, SW1W 9SR, it was time to board the coach at 12:45pm before setting off at 1pm. The journey took about an hour and a half thanks to the awful traffic in London, but once we were on the motorway, all was fine.
The coach was so comfortable with ample air conditioning, a toilet, and small TV screens in the back of each seat that had music and games on them.
Once we arrived in Windsor, I was a little taken aback by the walk from the coach park to the actual castle. Although it did state that there was a short walk and the use of some stairs due to lift maintenance, I didn’t think it would be uphill. This was a struggle for my mum, who accompanied me and who suffers from arthritis, but once we arrive at the castle, it was all okay.
We checked in and then got given our wristbands before taking another walk up a steep hill before getting inside the castle. The castle, and its surroundings, were incredible – so beautiful and breathtaking. If you wanted to visit St. George’s Chapel, you have to go there first, which is what we did, as it closes at 4pm.
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, with it having been home to the British monarchy for over 900 years. On the trip you get to explore much of the castle, including the lavish State Rooms and impressive artwork. It really is such a beautiful place to visit – especially if you’re a fan of the British Royal Family like I am.
We then wandered around the castle for a short while before making our way into the quaint little town. We checked out the shops and various tourist gift stores before grabbing a coffee and then taking a slow stroll back to the coach park before setting off at 5:30pm sharp.
Travelling home seemed quicker, as it usually does, and we seemed to sail through the traffic as it began to get dark. We then arrived back in London and was dropped off at Gloucester Road station before hopping on the tube home.
The overall experience was so insightful, so fun and I definitely recommend it. If you have a disability though, I would maybe suggest a sight-seeing bus or the Golden Tours Afternoon Tea Tour so that you don’t have to do too much walking. But if you think you can handle the short walk that’s needed for the Windsor Tour, then do it – you won’t regret it.
Mollie is a 25-year-old freelance journalist, writer and reporter. In her free time she is a self-confessed style queen and body positive babe, who shares her thoughts on body image and curvy style. She has blogged for almost nine years and has words in: Daily Mirror, Daily Star, Refinery29, HuffPost, GLAMOUR, Stylist, Metro etc.
