We’ve lived in Windsor for just over 2 years now, and having fully flung ourselves into Berkshire life, we didn’t think we had much more to learn about the city we now call home, but we were wrong. The Windsor Duck Tours gave us insider info hard to find elsewhere. Covering Windsor and Eton, we lapped up fun fact about the famous landmarks in this stunning Royal Borough as well as trivia on former and present famous dwellers from Her Majesty the Queen to Dragon’s Den Peter Jones who attended Windsor Boys High School.
Windsor Castle was built by William The Conqueror in the 11th century and is the Queen’s favourite of all her palaces and while we’ve toured the Castle before and my sons have even sung twice in the Chapel there, the views from the water thanks to the Duck Tour were like no other.
The wow factor of the trip is undoubtedly the movie style transition from road to water which made squeal with joy. Our trip was sandwiched between exquisite courses at The Royal Windsor pub situated opposite the Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, a place we’ve walked past many times and had been meaning to go in.
We ate our starters and mains, breaking before dessert (more of that, later) for our jaunt on the River Thames, returning for sweet treats and shots (yes, shots, which blew our minds) and truly, it was one of our most favourite days here to-date.
A surprisingly hot September Saturday (we seem to be experiencing an Indian Summer here), the river was picture-perfect tranquil, the sky deep blue. Families and yapping dogs were splashing around, bobbing along beside the swans (this part of the river is only around 6 ft deep) and the day felt equal parts nostalgic to me, and equal parts, surreal.
The trip transported me right back to my carefree childhood days spent outdoors rustling up adventures in the teeny town of Ilkley by the River Wharfe; it also made me feel as if I was part of the old school ‘This is Your Life’ programme (remember that?) as the Tour Guide mentioned all the spots we frequent every day here. ‘Over there is Bachelor’s Acre where children like to run through the waterfalls’ noted the tour guide. Yes, my children, every day!
We revelled in being pretend tourists in Windsor for the day (you admittedly feel a little stupidly smug at knowing about the city first-hand than the person on the bus next to you) and seeing the place through the eyes of a visitor, doubled my appreciation for Windsor and Eton where my youngest goes to school. We often say that living here feels like being on holiday but anywhere, however pretty because the norm everyday. Yesterday reminded me quite how special Windsor, is and how lucky we are to live here.
I strongly recommend a trip on the bus turned boat, and food at the Royal Windsor gastro pub for tourists and locals, alike. It was a Pinterest-perfect gastro haven. Just look at the pics. Swoon.
And the kids even got off my phone when they spotted the colouring-in on the back of the Kids’ Menu!
So what did we eat?
Me: the Royal Windsor Rhubarb & Blackberry Gin to kick off proceedings (served with Franklin and Son’s Sicilian lemon tonic and garnished with lemonthyme, blackberry and candied rhubarb in quite frankly my FAVOURITE COCKTAIL OF ALL TIME (brewed in their own distillery in London no less). It was more a work of art than a drink but tasted as good as it looked. Fruity and floral, it was summer in a glass. I’d return to the place on that drink alone.
Cheers!
Main: A mammoth vegetarian platter for me as I’m veggie, bursting with crispy hallumi fries, creamy Buffalo Mozzarella, artichoke hearts, marinated Kalamata olives and a seasonal salad. (Peter greedily shared this with me along with his main course and polished the crusty bread I didn’t eat). Next up, it was a tangy limoncello cheesecake (I don’t eat gluten so the kids gobbled the biscuit base and proclaimed it ‘yummy’. The caramel tequila shot that wonderful host, Kez, brought us to finish the feast with, was created in the pub’s distillery and tasted heavenly. Dangerously so. I could have had 3 in a row without blinking! I’ll def be back for a girl’s night out there!
Peter: the Royal Windsor Clementine & Rosemary Gin served with Franklin and Son’s Indian tonic and garnished with rosemary and flamed clementine zest which tasted pleasingly festive with juniper berries and sharp, citrus notes. Starter: refreshing avocado and crayfish salad (his words here by the way, as I don’t eat meat or fish) followed by a creamy pan-seared Hake with sugar snap peas for Mains and a gooey chocolate brownie with salted caramel ice cream (homemade, as with everything there) with a shot of Nutella Cognac on the side, to end.
Bottoms Up!
Kids: Crudites of carrots and cucumber sticks with cream cheese they got stuck into (Mama helped them out with the cream cheese they couldn’t finish which is a good thing as proves portions are not small there). Bolognese for Oliver and Napoli pasta for vegetarian Alexander which were both duly inhaled in minutes. Big (little) thumbs up. Then it was homemade vanilla and chocolate ice cream-I also sampled for the review’s sake (yeah, right) 😉 which was thick and creamy but thankfully not overly sweet.
The decor is a dream there. I actually want to move in. Soft pink velvet couches at the front, gilded mirrors behind the bar with monochrome tiling in the bathroom, not forgetting a beer garden to enjoy aforementioned cocktails or craft beers in under red umbrellas and potted flowers. There boys loved the vintage style bike boasting flowers by our table when we moved outside for desserts.
This place is a jewel in Windsor’s regal crown. We can’t wait to go back.
You can watch the little film I made of the day, too!
Thank you for the invite guys.
The pub and Duck Tours are offering regular family packages kicking off with a special Halloween Tour on October 31st.
These experiences were in return for the honest review you see here.
Excitingly, you can win a lunch and tour package including the Royal Set Lunch, Kids menu and round of drinks along with the Duck Tour for 2 adults and 2 children.
Ends 23rd of Oct 2019.
UK only
No cash alternative
No transport or accommodation to Windsor and return covered.
Promoted on Prize finder, Loquax, Super Lucky , UK Wins and Competition Database.
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I would take my daughter she loves being on the water.
Would love to have time away with my husband and little one to explore this beautiful historic city.
This would make the perfect day out for me, my OH, our daughter and her friend. Who knows, if she’s lucky we might spend the night somewhere and go to Legoland too – she’d love that!
I would take my partner and my son, it looks like a great day out and one that we would all enjoy!
We’ve had a long and crappy few months so it’d be lovely to have a little day out with the family.
awesome
Nice
Never been on the Duck, would love to go with my kids.
Looks like you had a great time. I would like to take my wife with me, I really adore her.
I love Windsor, I’d love to take my husband and kids.
I love eating out and luxurious experiences, thank you for the chance 🙂
We would love to take out two children, they would absolutely love this!
Love to win this as I know my little ones will love this, I would take my hubby and little ones
I would take my husband and boys, it would be a wonderful day
Would love to visit with my sister.
I’d take my sister who is very obsessed with ducks at the moment!
My favourite duck and her darling ducklings, of course!
I’d love to win and take my family. We’ve been wanting to go on a Duck tour for ages
After a recent break up I would love to take my best friend and our 2 girls to help cheer me up
Id take my partner and our two children. It would be an amazing family day out and we could make some amazing memories xx
I would take my wife and kids. We love Windsor and my son has mentioned going on the duck tour before. I am sure he would love it!
I love Windsor but haven’t been for ages so would be a lovely day out with my boys
Looks fabulous – I would take my kids
I would love to take my grand-daughter’s. They enjoy river trips, but this would be something different for them.
I love Windsor, always wanted to do a duck tour, i would take my husband
would love to win this so i can treat my boyfriend as its his 25th this year
Would love to win so that I could treat the boyfriend
That looks like a great experience. I’d take my family and make sure we all chose different drinks and food so that we could try everything.
I would love to take my hubby and daughters as we love going out in London.
I’ve never visited Windsor but wanted to since the recent royal weddings there! I’d take my boyfriend with me!
would love to take my family on this lovely day out
I would take my family – I have wanted to visit windsor castle since the royal weddings there so could combine with this prize – fingers crossed
My son’s (& my husband and I) would love this, thank you!
Would love to treat my family, we haven’t been anywhere for ages
I’d take my girlfriend and kids, it looks like a great day out and an excuse to book a weekend away!
I would love to gift this prize to my family to say a massive thanks for their wonderful help they give me.
I would like to win so I can spend some quality time with my sister and nephew.
I think that this would be a lovely day out for our family.
Awesome
I have never been before and I would like to treat my sister
I’d love to treat my family We are real foodies and adventurers!
I adore luxury experiences, try to go to new restaurants and live the champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget
I’d like to take my boyfriend, I think we would both really enjoy it
I only live about half an hour from Windsor and yet haven’t explored the city at all, so I’d love a day out there with my husband. Funny, isn’t it, how we make such an effort to visit and explore faraway places and yet neglect the ones almost on our doorstep.
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this looks like you had so much fun
I would take my daughter as she would love going on the duck tour
I live not far from Windsor, so it would be lovely to win this and take my wife.
I would definitely take my lovely daughter and husband . We have been to Windsor but only for the day and were enthralled by this lovely place. My daughter had noticed the Duck Tours but as timings were tight we didn’t get a chance to even consider it.
I would love to win, I would take my crew mate (paramedic) shes the best crew mate one can have, and considering there are week that I spend more time with her than I do my family then why not bring her along to a nice lunch! Shes a big part of my family!
I’d like to win because I’d love a day out and I’d take my best friend with me