Make Friends in Windsor, in the shadow of the castle

Windsor Castle, founded by William the Conqueror, is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and 24% of Windsor homes are privately rented.
Windsor friends with bikes on a sunny riverside path, laughing
34,900+
residents in four Windsor wards, Eton and Castle ward included (Census 2021, ONS)
24%
of Windsor households rent privately across the four wards, compared with a regional 19% (2021 census)
16%
social housing share in Windsor’s four wards, against 14% regionally (ONS, 2021)

Windsor Library opens on Sundays

Windsor Library on Bachelors Acre, open seven days a week including Sunday lunchtimes, is a calm place to make friends in Windsor. Windsor Great Park has no entry charge all year, The Old Court on St Leonard’s Road runs a cinema programme and workshops, and Upton Court parkrun is just across the Thames in Slough on Saturday mornings. Gofrendly helps Windsor women meet too.

Windsor questions, river to Great Park

Windsor woman smiling widely by a brightly painted wall

Is there a parkrun near Windsor?

The closest is Upton Court parkrun in Upton Court Park, Slough, just north of Windsor across the Thames, every Saturday at 9am. Maidenhead parkrun at Braywick Park is another option to the west, and both welcome walkers from Windsor and Eton.

Does Windsor Great Park charge for entry?

No. Windsor Great Park, managed by the Crown Estate, has no entry charge all year, though parking, the Savill Garden and the adventure play area are paid. The Long Walk runs south from Windsor Castle into the park, and there are cafés at Virginia Water and the Savill Garden.

When is Windsor Library open?

Windsor Library on Bachelors Acre opens every day: Monday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday 2pm to 7pm, Wednesday 1.30pm to 5.30pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 2pm, so there is an evening slot for Windsor commuters.

What helps Windsor women meet new friends?

Gofrendly, a women-only friendship app, shows Windsor and Eton women who lives nearby, and a first message can set up a meeting. A walk by the Thames or a coffee near Bachelors Acre is an easy, relaxed first plan for any Windsor newcomer.

Windsor, a royal town on the Thames

Windsor sits on the Thames beneath its castle, with Eton across the bridge, the Long Walk running south into Windsor Great Park and Theatre Royal Windsor a few steps from the castle walls. In four town wards, 24% of homes are let privately and social tenants occupy roughly 16% of homes, both above the South East. Behind the tourist crowds, plenty of residents are renting, so a regular local plan helps neighbours become friends, and the Great Park costs nothing to walk in.

A busy tourist town can still feel lonely when you live there all year. Windsor Leisure Centre on Stovell Road is run by Leisure Focus, Theatre Royal Windsor has community shows and outreach alongside its autumn programme, and the Windsor Yards shopping centre is set for regeneration with a boutique cinema. Windsor Great Park has cafés at Virginia Water and the Savill Garden. A few places to begin:

1
Windsor Library on Bachelors Acre, open every day.
2
Windsor Great Park and the Long Walk, with no entry charge.
3
The Old Court arts centre on St Leonard’s Road.
4
Windsor Leisure Centre on Stovell Road.
5
Theatre Royal Windsor, beside the castle.
LOCAL TIP
Walk the Long Walk on a Sunday morning and watch for faces you know.
How to

Windsor: making friends beyond the castle

1
Join a workshop at The Old Court arts centre.
2
Walk or run Upton Court parkrun in Slough on a Saturday morning.
3
Use Gofrendly to plan a Long Walk stroll with Windsor women.
4
Ask Theatre Royal Windsor about its community shows.

A friendship story, and the numbers behind it

Who wrote our Windsor and Eton page

Gofrendly founders Claudia Gård and Ulrika Lilja and our editors made this Windsor guide for renters, people working in the town’s hotels and shops, and anyone who wants friends around all year.

Friendship looks different at every stage

More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.

Friendship looks different at every stage

More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.

Find women near you

See who’s nearby and say hi — it’s free to start.

Make friends in areas across Windsor