Reading to Windsor in October: Trains, Timings and What to See

Getting There: Train Routes and Timing

The most straightforward route is the Great Western Railway service from Reading to Windsor & Eton Central, which usually requires a change at Slough. The whole journey typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes depending on connection times; direct trains are rare on this line. Alternatively, you can take a train from Reading to Windsor & Eton Riverside via Staines, though this route is less frequent. Both Windsor stations are centrally located, with Central sitting directly beneath the Windsor Royal Station shopping area and Riverside a short walk from the castle. Services run frequently throughout the day, but October weekends can be busy, so aim for a mid-morning departure to avoid the worst of the crowds.

If you are driving, the M4 westbound from Reading to Windsor takes roughly 25 to 35 minutes outside peak hours, but October half-term traffic can double that. Parking in Windsor is expensive and limited; the Alma Road and River Street car parks are the most reliable, though you should expect to pay a premium. The train is almost always the better choice for a day trip. Book your Reading accommodation near the station or in the town centre to make an early start painless, and check return times before you set out, as evening services thin out after 8pm.

Windsor Castle and the Town Centre

Windsor Castle is the headline attraction, and October is a good time to visit: summer crowds have thinned, the leaves in the Home Park are turning, and the State Apartments are less hurried. Allow at least three hours to do it properly, including St George's Chapel, which is free to enter and often overlooked. Tickets are cheaper if booked online in advance, and entry is timed, so pick a slot when you book. The castle is closed on certain days, typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays in October, so check ahead before you travel. The Long Walk, the tree-lined avenue leading to the castle from the Great Park, is free and worth the stroll regardless.

The town centre itself is compact and walkable. Windsor Royal Station, the old railway terminus, has been converted into a covered shopping arcade with independent shops and cafes, a useful shelter if October turns showery. Peascod Street is the main shopping drag, and the Guildhall, where Prince Charles and Camilla were married in 2005, sits just off it. If you want a sit-down lunch, the streets behind the castle towards Eton offer quieter pubs than the tourist-facing options on the High Street. Cross the bridge to Eton for a wander down Eton High Street, where you can see the college buildings from the outside; it is a fifteen-minute walk and a world away from the castle crowds.

What to Skip and Where to Stay

Legoland Windsor is a major draw, but in October it operates reduced hours and some rides close for the season, so check the calendar before committing to a family day there; the same applies to the Savill Garden, which is lovely but charges an entry fee that may not suit a short visit. The Windsor Duck Tour, an amphibious vehicle tour, is popular but pricey and not especially informative; the same money buys a decent lunch. If you have time for only one paid attraction, make it the castle. The Theatre Royal Windsor runs a varied programme, but October is panto rehearsal season, so check listings rather than assuming a show will be on.

For accommodation, Reading is a sensible base for a Windsor day trip and for exploring the wider Thames Valley. Hotels near Reading station or in the town centre put you within a short walk of the mainline services, and the town has a good range of options from budget chains to independent guesthouses. Avoid hotels on the outskirts if you are relying on trains, as taxi fares into town add up. Book ahead for October half-term, when family rooms fill quickly. A two-night stay in Reading gives you one full day in Windsor and another for Reading itself, which has its own decent museum and riverside walks.

October Weather and Practicalities

October in the Thames Valley is mild but changeable, with daytime temperatures typically between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. Rain is common, so pack a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes; the cobbles around the castle get slippery when wet. The castle's grounds and the Long Walk are exposed, so an umbrella is useful, though it may be windy. Daylight fades noticeably by late October, so plan your castle visit for the morning and leave outdoor wandering for the afternoon. The Changing of the Guard, when it happens, is usually at 11am, but it is not daily and is subject to cancellation, so check the official schedule rather than building your day around it.

Windsor is well served by cafes and pubs, but the most crowded ones are on the main tourist routes. Walk five minutes in any direction and prices drop and quality often rises. The riverside path towards Runnymede is a pleasant walk if you have energy left, and the train back to Reading from Windsor & Eton Central connects at Slough with reasonable frequency until late evening. Buy a return ticket to avoid queueing at the machine on the way back.