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