Windsor in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Windsor

4°C (39°F) High Temp

-2°C (28°F) Low Temp

45 mm (1.8 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Windsor Castle's State Apartments are less crowded - you can actually appreciate the Van Dyck paintings without crowds. Average wait time drops from 45 minutes in summer to 15 minutes in December
Christmas decorations at Windsor Castle are extraordinary - the Grand Reception Room features a 20-foot (6.1 m) Norwegian spruce with royal ornaments, only displayed December 1-31
Hotel rates drop 40-60% compared to summer peaks - luxury Thames-view rooms that cost £400 in July go for £150-180 in December
The Long Walk offers dramatic winter photography - frost-covered trees create a 4.8 km (3 mile) tunnel effect that's impossible to capture in leafy summer months

Considerations

Weather is genuinely miserable - persistent drizzle, grey skies, and biting wind make outdoor activities uncomfortable for more than 30-45 minutes at a time
Daylight is severely limited - sunrise at 7:45am, sunset at 3:50pm gives you only 8 hours of dim daylight for sightseeing
Many outdoor attractions close or reduce hours - Windsor Great Park's Savill Garden closes most sections, and boat tours on the Thames don't operate

Best Activities in December

Windsor Castle Interior Tours

December is perfect for exploring the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls' House, and St. George's Chapel without summer crowds. The Christmas decorations add magic you won't see any other time. Indoor heating keeps you warm while you spend 2-3 hours discovering royal treasures. Semi-State Rooms are often open in December when the Royal Family isn't in residence.

Booking Tip: Book online 7-14 days ahead for £26.50-28.50 adult tickets. Avoid weekends if possible - Saturday crowds are still significant even in December. Audio guides are essential for context. Check current availability in the booking section below.

Historic London Day Trips

December's short daylight hours make Windsor perfect as a base for indoor United Kingdom attractions just 50 minutes away by train. Museums, galleries, and heated venues are ideal when outdoor sightseeing becomes unbearable. The Christmas markets at Southbank and Covent Garden are easily accessible via direct rail connections.

Booking Tip: Combined Windsor-United Kingdom tour packages typically cost £85-120 per person and include transport. Book 5-7 days ahead through established operators. Many include Thames river views and indoor venues to escape the weather. See current tour combinations in the booking widget below.

Traditional English Pub Experiences

December is prime pub season in Windsor - roaring fires, mulled wine, and hearty winter dishes like steak and kidney pie become essential cold-weather refuges. Historic pubs near the castle offer 2-3 hour respites between outdoor sightseeing with authentic atmosphere that Americans especially love.

Booking Tip: Pub walking tours cost £35-50 per person and typically visit 3-4 historic establishments over 2.5 hours. Book through food tour operators 3-5 days ahead. Look for tours that include indoor venues and traditional winter fare. Current pub tour options available in booking section below.

Thames Valley Indoor Attractions

Legoland Windsor (25 minutes drive) transforms into a winter wonderland with indoor rides and heated attractions. Eton College offers guided indoor tours showcasing 600 years of history. These climate-controlled venues become essential when outdoor castle walks become too uncomfortable in December's wind and rain.

Booking Tip: Family attraction packages typically cost £45-75 per adult, £35-55 per child. Many venues offer December discount packages. Book online 7-10 days ahead for guaranteed entry and skip-the-line access. Indoor venues fill up when weather turns particularly nasty. Check current availability below.

Royal History Walking Tours

Professional guides offer 90-minute indoor-outdoor hybrid tours that duck into shops, cafes, and covered areas between outdoor historical points. December tours focus more on indoor venues and covered walkways, making them more tolerable than pure outdoor walks. The Christmas season adds royal holiday traditions to the historical narrative.

Booking Tip: Private group tours cost £180-250 for up to 8 people and can be customized for weather conditions. Shared tours run £18-25 per person. Book with operators who guarantee indoor backup venues for severe weather days. Current guided tour options in booking section below.

Antique and Christmas Shopping Tours

Windsor's covered Victorian shopping arcades and heated antique centers become havens in December weather. The annual Christmas market (typically December 6-23) offers mulled wine and local crafts under covered stalls. Indoor browsing combined with warm drinks makes shopping tours much more appealing than outdoor castle walks in freezing drizzle.

Booking Tip: Shopping tours including transport cost £65-95 per person for 4-5 hour experiences. Independent shopping works well - most venues are within 200 m (656 ft) of each other along covered High Street areas. Christmas market stalls typically open 10am-8pm daily. See current seasonal shopping experiences below.

December Events & Festivals

December 1-31

Windsor Castle Christmas Decorations Display

The State Apartments feature elaborate Christmas trees and period decorations recreating Victorian royal Christmas traditions. The Grand Reception Room's centerpiece tree and St. George's Hall garlands are spectacular and only visible during December visits.

Early to Late December

Windsor Christmas Market

Traditional German-style Christmas market in Windsor High Street with heated stalls selling mulled wine, artisan gifts, and seasonal foods. Provides warm refuge between castle visits with local crafts and hot food options.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof jacket with hood - December drizzle is constant and umbrellas become useless in Thames Valley wind gusts up to 25 km/h (15 mph)

Insulated, waterproof boots - you'll walk on wet cobblestones and muddy paths around Windsor Great Park for 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) daily

Thermal underwear layers - indoor heating varies dramatically between venues, and you'll spend significant time outdoors moving between attractions

Waterproof gloves - essential for handling camera/phone during outdoor photography at castle walls and Long Walk

Warm hat covering ears - wind chill off River Thames makes 4°C (39°F) feel like -2°C (28°F)

Portable phone charger - battery drains 40% faster in cold weather during day-long sightseeing

Cash in small bills - many traditional pubs and market stalls still prefer cash, especially for amounts under £10

Compact umbrella as backup - for the 15-minute walks between train station and castle when wind dies down

Wool socks - feet get cold and wet despite waterproof boots during extended outdoor walking

Tissues and lip balm - cold wind causes constant runny nose and chapped lips during outdoor castle exploration

Insider Knowledge

Windsor locals avoid outdoor activities between 11am-2pm when tourist crowds peak and weather feels most miserable. Early morning (9-10am) or late afternoon (3-4pm) offer better photos with fewer people.

The 3:50pm December sunset creates dramatic golden light on castle walls for exactly 15-20 minutes - position yourself on Long Walk south side for the best shots most tourists miss.

Many Americans don't realize how bone-chilling the humidity feels - 85% humidity at 4°C (39°F) feels much colder than dry cold they're used to. Locals layer wool under waterproof outer shells.

Train delays increase 30% in December due to weather - always catch the train before the one you actually need, especially for airport connections or timed castle entry tickets.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming 'mild UK winter' means comfortable - December in Windsor is genuinely unpleasant for outdoor activities, with bone-chilling humidity that penetrates most clothing

Planning full days of outdoor sightseeing - you'll be miserable after 30-45 minutes outside. Plan indoor venues between short outdoor castle visits

Bringing regular rain gear instead of cold-weather waterproofs - you need insulation AND waterproofing, not just protection from rain