The town is just a short distance from London and is also a hotbed of many old houses
Located near the river Thames, Windsor is a bustling centre with shops, bars and restaurants.
On the banks of the River Thames, just a short distance from London, sits a typical British town with a royal seal.
Located in the Royal Boroughs of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, Windsor is home to the private residence of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
This haven in the English countryside offers a wide range of quality properties, from charming period cottages to elegant Georgian and Victorian homes and modern apartments along the River Thames.
The crown jewel is Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world and the famous venue for the 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It was rebuilt in the Gothic style by Edward III, who transformed the Upper Ward part of the castle into a Baroque palace. George IV then restored the residence, creating the ornately decorated palace interiors we see today.
The State Apartments at Windsor Castle feature some of the finest works of art from the royal collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.
Earlier this year, the Queen moved there permanently from Buckingham Palace.
But Windsor offers more than just royal ties.
Jo Chadwick, director of real estate agency Strutt & Parker, said: "Royalty put it on the map, but it's the town's overall offering that makes it so desirable. ”
"The town is located along the River Thames and has its bustling centre with its own shops, bars and restaurants, rich history on the doorstep, and open green spaces such as Windsor Grand Park, meaning it offers conditions for discerning buyers," she said.
Many windsor streets date back to the mid-to-late 19th century, giving the town a period play feel. The main street, Peascod Street, predates the castle and is likely to have originated with the Anglo-Saxons.
The town is full of culture, from the world-famous Eton College To the Old Court Arts Centre and the Royal Windsor Theatre. "It's a picturesque historic town with Windsor Castle as a backdrop," Ms Chadwick said.
boundary
Windsor is located 21 miles west of central London and east of Heathrow Airport. It is located south of the River Thames and forms a border with neighboring Eaton. Old Windsor Village is located a few miles to the south, about 300 years before the modern town.
Price range
According to online property portal Zoopla, the average selling price of a property in Windsor over the past 12 months was £562,691 ($663,941). However, detached houses are the highest price at £1.01 million and apartments are the lowest at £311,714.
Any discussion of high-end property in Windsor has to start in one place – Harford Manor, a £30 million equestrian home that is one of the most expensive properties on the market outside london.
The Harford Estate embodies luxury in every way, especially in its location. Windsor and Ascot Racecourse are near by, while Guards Polo Club and Royal Polo Club of Berkshire are also nearby.
The property is an architectural masterpiece; Spanning over 23,000 square feet, plus a 10,000-square-foot outbuilding on 40 acres with stunning views of Windsor Castle.
This country estate has some world-class features, with nine bedrooms, ten bathrooms, two kitchens, a cinema and games room, a gym, a swimming pool and a tennis court.
"This is a 21st century home offering the best of town and country living, located in a private, secluded and safe place," said Alun Graham, a partnership agent at Fine & Country, the go-public agency.
"You really feel like you're the lord and lady of the manor and have stunning views of Windsor and Windsor Castle – a location that is second to none," he said. "You have all the facilities you need on site. If the traffic is too bad, just hop on your helicopter and you can get to London in 15 minutes, or the coast in half an hour. ”
Of course, there are many other options. Clarence Road and Park Street boast particularly sought-after properties, including a £2 million five-bedroom secondary townhouse believed to date back to the 18th century.
"Four-bedroom Victorian townhouses start at £1 million (2,000 sq ft) and four-bedroom detached traditional family homes range from £1.6 million (2,786 sq ft) all the way up to £30 million in Holyport," Graham said.
House inventory
In many ways, Windsor is a fascinating journey through British architecture.
"Park Street and its stately Georgian homes are very attractive, while the Golden Triangle of Francis Silk Road, King's Road and Adelaide Square features large detached and semi-detached Victorian houses as well as comfortable cottages on tree-lined roads," Said Mr Graham. "Outside the city, you will find traditional family country houses."
Ms Chadwick said that despite the wide variety, the most important factor that makes Windsor's housing stock so attractive to high-end buyers is that most of the homes are properties with a period of time, so many traditional features have been preserved throughout.
"Windsor's rich history is reflected in its architecture," she said. "The town and the wider borough also have protected areas, which affect how much work you can do for your home, meaning many homes still retain those wonderful traditional, period features." This includes large window sashes, cornices and feature fireplaces.
"It's worth noting that many of these period homes at the high end of the market have undergone extensive interior design and interior remodeling, so they combine historic buildings with modern interior design to create a comfortable and luxurious life," she said. ”
Houses and buildings on the banks of the River Thames in Windsor, England.
What makes it unique
Aside from the royal connections that make Windsor arguably one of England's most exclusive and popular towns, one of its biggest attractions is its private schools, including the world-famous Eton College (boys aged 13 to 18), the largest boarding school in England.
Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, Eton College is known for its history, wealth and alumni.
Alumni are known as "old Eatonians" and include Prince William and Harry, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, and former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and David Cameron. The school charges up to £48,501 a year.
Other leading private schools in Windsor include St George's, St John's Beaumont, Queen Anne and Upton College. "I've moved many families to Windsor, where schooling is the main driver and there are plenty of options at all levels," Ms Chadwick said.
Luxury facilities
In addition to high-end fashion stores, the town has many independent boutiques with a wide range of designer brands. Thames Street and Eaton Street have a range of boutiques selling antiques. There are several five-star hotels in town, including the Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel and Monkey Island Manor. Ascot Racecourse is close by as well.
There is a thriving restaurant scene; Greene Oak in Windsor is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant that specialises in steaks, while the Castle Hotel's Leaf restaurant offers exquisite cuisine made with local ingredients. Loch & The Tyne is an elegant guest house with rooms offering classic English pub cuisine.
In many ways, Windsor is a fascinating journey through British architecture.
Who lives there
Nicholas Canham, head of sales at Hamptons, said Windsor is attracting overseas buyers from the United States, the Middle East and Asia. "Windsor's property style is similar to London's, so it attracts London and overseas buyers seeking a piece of history," he said.
Famous residents
Windsor has been the Queen's permanent residence since the beginning of 2020.
Prince William and Kate Middleton may soon call Windsor home as well. According to sources such as American Weekly and Metropolis, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to move from Kensington Palace to Berkshire Town, where they will enroll Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the new school.
According to wide reports, in the months of early 2022, the family will be staying at Adelaide Cottages at Windsor Manor.
Many celebrities have reportedly called Windsor home, most notably singers Elton John, James Blunt and Natalie Inbrughlia.
Windsor has been the Queen's permanent residence since the beginning of 2020
appearance
As a cosmopolitan hub less than 25 miles from London, Windsor has a long history and its appeal to high-end buyers is unlikely to change in the near future.
"House prices in Windsor are high, but that means buying in the town is a steady long-term investment with little sign of depreciation," Ms Chadwick said.
"At the end of the day, the location can't be rewritten, so Windsor's enduring appeal is a result of its enviable location close to London and Heathrow airports. As a result, quality homes in the town will appeal to high net worth buyers seeking an urban lifestyle with more space and better value than the capital itself," she said.