Ok, thanks everyone. I just needed help making up my mind. (especially from folks who have been there and done that!) Walking around Windsor Castle and the town on a Sunday really appeals to me.

I was in London last week and went to Windsor Castle by myself one day. I took the tube to Paddington Station - the British Rail station is just next door to the tube station - you don't even need to go outside. Just buy a return (roundtrip) ticket to Windsor and ask what track the next train leaves from. You change trains in Slough - very easy to do as most everyone else on the train will be doing the same thing so you can just follow the crowd. Once at Windor, again just follow the crowd. I would suggest getting the video tour - it is well worth the 2 pounds or so, since it has lots of useful information - I wouldn't have known what I was seeing without it. And you can pause it at anytime. I would aim to be there close to when they open in the morning and you should be done in time for a late lunch - lots of choices in the town. You can get the return train at any time. Very easy trip and worthwhile and if you do it on your own you can stay as long as you want and see exactly what you want to see.

Betty, if you have time I would suggest doing both Windsor and Hampton Court, but not on the same day. Years ago, I did both on a tour ( we only got to see the gardens at Hampton Court) and were rushed through Windsor Castle - I couldn't remember a thing afterwards!<BR>Last year on a solo trip the London I did Windsor alone and absolutely loved it. But be sure to buy the book before you go into the castle, as having it makes the rooms more interesting. <BR><BR>Hampton Court was a lovely day trip too; I did that on a different trip to London, also alone. As another poster mentioned, check into the Original London Walks trip to Hampton Court. I debated about doing that, but didn't. It's probably fun, though. The other (2-hour) London Walks are great!

Thanks for your input. I noticed that a lot of folks mentioned "Paddington" station; but according to the railtracks.com, I can take the train from Waterloo (which is a lot closer to my hotel) to Windsor-Riverside. Have you ever gone this route?

I'm sure I'll be corrected if this is a little off-base, but if I remember correctly.<BR><BR>1-The train from Paddington requires that you change at Slough - up, over, down. It arrives at Windsor Central Station which is practically at the castle's doorstep.<BR><BR>2-The train from Waterloo is direct, but arrives at the Windsor-Eton Station, which is somewhat further from the castle.<BR><BR>

You are right, it does arrive at the Windsor=Eton station. How far is that from the castle?

Betty,<BR><BR>The Windsor-Eton Riverside station is about 1/4 mile from the castle; the Central station is a couple of hundred feet from the Castle. Both are fine for walking.<BR><BR>Here's a map of Windsor (cut and paste address to your browser):<BR><BR> http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=496750&Y=176750&A=Y&Z=1<BR><BR >Regards,<BR><BR>David White<BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com

Thanks David! Also, I had previously signed up with "Guide Friday" for Windsor and Stratford Upon Avon (got a good deal for both for 2 people). and I just discovered that one of the stops for Guide Friday was the Riverside station!