A friend and I will be in Windsor over the second weekend of December, arriving Saturday afternoon, departing Tuesday morning. It will be my friend's first visit there and we are trying to see the castle, do a little Christmas shopping, and enjoy afternoon tea. If we visit the castle on Sunday St. George's Chapel will closed. If we visit the castle on Monday will many shops be open Sunday, two weeks before Christmas? Thanks for your help.

All the shops will be open on a Sunday so I wouldn't worry about that! The castle will have beautifully decorated Christmas trees in many of the rooms, but you won't be able to take any pictures. There is a nice pub with a working fire a short walk from the castle called The Two Brewers. We were there in early December last year!

St George's Chapel has become very very busy now that the late Queen has been laid to rest there...you might want to start there early in the day!

PS - if you have time walk across the river to Eton, I think school is still in session until mid December...it's fun to watch the boys walking between classes in their tailcoats!

Thank you, this is really helpful. When I lasted visited there was hardly anyone in the chapel. Perfectly understandable that it attracts more people now.

Some suggestions:
Walk across across the bridge into Eton, grab breakfast or lunch at the Cote. Great views over the river.
See a traditional pantomime at the Theatre Royal. It is a small and intimate theatre.
Go for afternoon tea at Oakley Court or if you want somewhere special, take a taxi to Great Fosters.

Peascod Street will be busy on Saturday with Xmas shoppers. Do remember to visit the shops in the Windsor Royal Centre shopping centre. If you want some bargains, check out TK Maxx on the High Street.

The Theatre Royal is running Aladdin this year -- a BIG yes!

https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/aladdin-23/

We've stayed at Great Fosters twice and loved it. There are some very large rooms, but all have period decor. We had a room that ran from the front of the building through to the back, with a bathroom the size of a typical hotel room. All very atmospheric. I don't know whether they still have dinner dances, but if they do, be sure to go.

Thank you uktravelover for the suggestions. I hadn't thought about going to a pantomime. We'll have to look into this.

Thanks janisj, Aladdin does look like it would be fun.

Great Fosters looks fabulous Underhill, but with only 2 days we're going to stay right in Windsor.

Hi Scootoir - an option for afternoon tea in Windsor is the Christopher Wren hotel. They offer the full thing or just tea and scones. You can pre- book a table.

Thanks uktravelover, hat is one of two afternoon tea locations we are considering. It will be my friend's first time in England and her birthday so I want to take her to tea. Is it a classic presentation? Good food?