With

With
its bunting-clad walkways, picturesque cobbled streets and
rather royal neighbours, regal Windsor (and the surrounding area)
had maintained its stiff upper lip and prim and proper reputation
for decades, until, that is, Alex Eagle turned her attention to the
county of Berkshire last year.

The eagle-eyed Londoner (sorry, we had to) and curator behind
one of London’s coolest concept stores paired up with her long-time
friend and collaborator Sophie Hodges to revamp a stately gothic
pile on the town’s edges, pushing expectations for a renegade
renaissance in the royal enclave to fever pitch. The refreshed
Oakley Court is a full-throttle celebration of British
eccentricity, characterised by bold colour schemes, an excess of
chinoiserie, Le Corbusier-style chairs and surplus fringing, plus a
riverside restaurant simply made for summer soireés.

First it was Margate, then Deal, then Frome and Bruton followed. Now, it’s Windsor and Eton’s time for
a revival. That royal retiree reputation the area has had for so
long? Off with its head. Further openings have followed the Oakley,
enticing well-heeled Londoners into the hills and capturing
affections with seductively styled suites and capital-quality
menus. Glossy-haired visitors are drawn in by Windsor’s heritage
and the tantalising vision of lazing beside the meandering Thames,
Pimm’s in hand, on a balmy Sunday afternoon. Now, Berkshire is on
its way to becoming a flag-waving example of British excellence –
and Londoners are dropping their Cotswolds boltholes in their
droves in favour of its monarchical charms.

With regular trains from Paddington transporting you to
Berkshire’s rolling green hills in just 30 minutes, we’re
earmarking Windsor and Eton as the new weekend escape of choice.
Here’s where to head when you venture into the royal realm.

Wonderful Windsor and Eton: what not to miss