The Windsor and Eton area is becoming increasingly popular, and not just for the queen who spends most of her private weekends in Windsor Castle! With great connections to London and the surrounding areas, a lively centre surrounded by beautiful parks and rivers plus good schools and services, you’re not alone in considering this area to settle in.
Of course, with so much to offer, this area isn’t the cheapest to move to. If you’re not sure whether your budget and needs are met by the Windsor and Eton area then don’t worry. We’ve had our central Windsor storage facility for many years now and we know a thing or two about the area. Our experts have done the hard work for you and put together this handy guide on the Windsor area to help you decide whether it’s the right choice for you or to help you get to grips with the location if you’ve recently moved there.
Overview of the area
As well as central Windsor with Eton located just over the bridge you’ll find Maidenhead, Ascot, Sunninghill and other popular locations such as Bracknell with it’s new shopping centre a stone’s throw away. That means there are plenty of options in the surrounding area to scout out for cheaper property prices that still have great connections to Windsor itself.
Property in these areas includes period Edwardian and Victoria houses along with an increasingly booming new-build market. If you have the money to spend then upmarket areas include St Leonards Hill, Long Walk on Albert Road and Clarence Crescent as well as both houses and flats along the riverside that boast fantastic views.
Property in Windsor & Eton
As you might expect from a royal location, property in Windsor and Eton can climb very high. Still, you can find some affordable property here and if you look around the outskirts of Windsor and Eton prices can fall considerably but still give you easy access to all that the area has to offer.
Buying property in Windsor
The average house price paid in Windsor over the past 12 months stands at just over £540,000. According to Zoopla, flats have sold for around £330,000 and terrace houses at £530,000. Of course, prices can rise with a 4-bed house averaging around £700,000 while some of the more desirable locations such as St Leonards Hill boasts property well into their millions.
The types of property you can expect also varies depending on the area. Eton and Old Windsor offer pricey period properties while there is also a booming new-build market for more modern and energy-efficient properties.
Renting property in Windsor
Just as with buying, rental prices can vary widely in Windsor but it isn’t the cheapest place to rent. They can range from around £1,000 for small 1 bed flats and property to over £3,000 for 4-bed houses. You can get studios and house shares from around £800 a month depending on what you need.
Running costs
Council tax for 2020 starts at £893.11 with Brand D property costing £1,339.65 for Windsor itself. For an average 2 or 3-bed property running costs include water for £30, energy at £80 a month and council tax at £140 a month. Of course, Windsor offers a fantastic shopping and dining scene so don’t forget to save some for money for going out as well.
Services and facilities
Windsor and Eton may be steeped in history but they have certainly modernised in the areas that matter. The area boasts great transport links to London and elsewhere along with modern shopping and leisure all with the backdrop of period property and historic architecture. Unsurprisingly, you can find great schools and services nearby.
Transport
Windsor is just 30 miles west of London and like elsewhere in Berkshire is becoming a bit of a hot spot for commuters. Train links have been modernised with fast lines now getting to Paddington in central London in just half an hour from the Central station and a change at Slough. You can also get to Waterloo in under an hour from the Riverside station and to Richmond in just over half an hour. The two main stations serving the area are Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside.
It is also easily accessible by motorway networks including the M3, M4, M25 and M40 for commuting or travelling elsewhere. Heath Airport is just 15 minutes away while Luton and Gatwick are both within an hours drive. The main thing to be aware of driving around Windsor itself is a quirk of the royal borough. The guard march, a unique event that takes place in central Windsor and sees the guards make their way from the barracks on Sheet Street, down the High Street and into the Castle, means that some roads are closed or effected for short periods of time in the morning. Traffic is usually stopped between 10:45 am and 11:00 am, and then again between 11:15 am and 11:30 am.
Finally, Windsor also offers a range of bus transport including a direct bus from London Victoria. You can find a bit more on travel and Windsor here.
Education
Whether you already have children or are just planning for the future, many of us today choose a location at least in part based on local schools and catchment areas. It should come as no surprise that the Windsor and Eton area offers great opportunities for schools and education.
Schools in the central area of Windsor include Hilltop First School and St. Edwards Catholic’s First School plus of course Windsor Boys’ School and Windsor Girls’ School. There are also a number of prestigious independent schools like the renowned Eton College. To look at more schools and compare performance across the Windsor and Maidenhead areas you can use this handy government tool.
Health and wellness
If you like splashing out on your gym experience then Windsor can offer private fitness and spa clubs such as Wren’s Club, or look at more affordable options like Five Star Gym and Snap Fitness.
If you’re looking for something for the whole family at a reasonable price then Windsor Leisure Centre is a great hub for swimming, sports clubs and fitness classes. Enjoy everything from badminton, netball, and gymnastics to Zumba and pilates as well as children’s activities. They also have a health suite and spa.
Leisure and entertainment
Central Windsor has a lively shopping and dining scene with everything from designer shops to affordable high street brands so there really is something for everyone. The great thing about Windsor is its variety, offering fine dining alongside McDonald’s, both with views of Windsor Castle!
Top picks for food and drink include The Greene Oak, The Royal Windsor and Caleys Brasserie plus get all your favourites including Bills and Wagamama. For shopping, take a stroll through Windsor Royal Station and enjoy the incredible architecture while browsing a mix of independent shops and high street favourites.
If it’s entertainment you’re looking for then Windsor offers a mix of family-friendly fun, history and culture plus a lively nightlife. For a taste of the arts, you’ll find two art centres, Norden Farm and Old Court with a range of events from comedy to theatre and film. The Theatre Royal is also popular and showcases traditional pantomimes alongside modern productions.
The live music scene includes the Windsor Festival and Fringe Festival while for movies you can head to the newly opened The Screen in the Old Court arts centre. During the summer, Luna Cinema and other companies offer open-air viewings of classic and cult movies.
Things to do
It’s clear Windsor has a lot of offer for all your day-to-day, but what if you’re looking for something more? There are a variety of attractions that make Windsor a great day out. If you decide to look for property further out from the centre to save money, then you can be sure there’s plenty to come back into town for and keep you occupied for special days out.
Top of the list is, of course, Windsor Castle. You can catch views of the castle throughout the town centre but if you fancy getting a closer look at the place the Queen spends most of her private weekends. As the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world, there’s certainly a lot to see, and tickets are reasonably priced.
If you’re looking for something for the kids then Legoland is a must-visit while Royal Windsor Racecourse is great for a more grown-up day out. There’s also plenty to experience outdoors with stunning greenery and nature in the surrounding area including Windsor park and boat trips along the river.
Find more things to do and get to know Windsor more here.
Moving to Windsor
Moving house is never easy but moving to Windsor can be tricky when it comes to storage. Because of building regulations in the area today, there are limited options for storage facilities in the centre of Windsor. In fact, Space 4U are the proud owners of the only storage facility in this central location! Our convenient location means we’re perfectly situated to help both individuals or families and businesses alike with their move to Windsor. For those that are downsizing to live in this prestigious location or are worried about running their business while having space for all the necessary supplies and stock they need, we can also provide affordable long term storage to keep valuable or sentimental items safe and secure.
If you’re looking to move to the Windsor & Eton area either for personal or for business reasons then contact us today to find out how we could help you with a stress-free move including our FREE pick up service available with select unit sizes!
Image credit:
Header image: TimeOut
Other images: www.windsor.gov.uk