Things to do in Stanwell

Windsor · 9.5 km from Stanwell

1.4k reviews

• Stroll through the family castle of the Windsor dynasty • View the exquisite treasures in the state suite • Enjoy the audio guide and savor the beauty of the castle Windsor Castle sits on a hill on the south bank of the Thames and is one of the official residences still in use by the British royal family today. The castle was first built by William I in the 11th century, and after subsequent expansions and renovations by many monarchs, it blends a variety of architectural styles, including a Norman fortress, a medieval palace, and Georgian state apartments, and is also one of the few medieval castles in Europe that are still inhabited today. The castle is divided into the upper, middle, and lower wards. The upper ward centers on the state rooms, which display famous paintings, armor, and fine furniture collected by monarchs over the centuries, including works by masters such as Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens; the Waterloo Chamber was built by George IV to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon, and its walls hang portraits of allied monarchs and commanders. The upper area also houses Queen Mary's Dolls' House, created by architect Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s, with exquisitely detailed interiors that even include electricity and running water. The central area is marked by a round tower, which was originally built of wood and later rebuilt in stone. Today, it houses royal documents and a photography collection, and the moat garden below the tower is planted with roses and other flowers. St. George's Chapel in the Lower Ward is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, founded in the 15th century and renowned for its magnificent stone fan vaulting and stained glass windows—looking up at the vaulting is an unmissable experience when visiting. The chapel is also the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, has hosted numerous royal weddings, and is the burial place of several British monarchs.

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

8.1

London · 12.6 km from Stanwell

225 reviews

Spanning 326 acres of beautiful gardens and home to the world's largest living plant collection, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just a 30-minute drive from central London. The iconic Palm House recreates a tropical rainforest environment, where you can experience the humid, sultry tropical atmosphere up close; the Temperate House is one of the most prominent surviving Victorian glasshouses, reopened in 2018 after restoration and housing approximately ten thousand rare plants from temperate regions. The 17-meter-tall contemporary art installation "The Hive" celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026, exploring the importance and plight of bees; while the towering treetop walkway offers a unique perspective overlooking the garden. Those afraid of heights can stroll along the vibrant Great Broad Walk, enjoy unique botanical art and special exhibitions in our galleries, or relax in the cozy restaurant. In the newly built Carbon Garden, you can admire a striking pavilion inspired by fungi, learn about the scale of the climate crisis, and explore how plants can help us tackle it. As a global scientific charity, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew aims to help halt biodiversity loss and develop nature-based solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges facing humanity. △ Discover rare tropical plants in the Palm House △Kew Palace was built in 1631; a century later, George III was educated here and used it as a summer residence. △ Davies Alpine House has many alpine plants that can overcome harsh conditions at the Earth's poles or mountain tops △ Explore 10 different climate zones at the Princess of Wales Conservatory △Waterlily greenhouse(Waterlily House, closed in winter) features giant Amazon water lilies with leaves up to 3 m wide

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

7

4.5/5

187 reviews

LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is located in Windsor, Berkshire, UK. Opened in 1996, it is a LEGO theme park built on the former site of Windsor Safari Park. Centered on LEGO bricks, the park is divided into multiple themed areas and features dozens of rides and experiences, mainly targeting families with children aged 2 to 12. The park's signature area is Miniland, where nearly 40 million LEGO bricks recreate miniature landscapes of cities such as London, Edinburgh, Paris, and Amsterdam, along with iconic landmarks from around the world including the Sydney Opera House, the Forbidden City, and St. Basil's Cathedral. Vehicles, trains, and boats in the miniature scenes run automatically via underground cables and sensor systems, making the entire mini city seem to come alive. Beyond the LEGO model displays, the park offers a variety of rides. In Knight's Kingdom, The Dragon roller coaster departs from inside the castle, passing through medieval scenes built with LEGO before heading onto outdoor tracks; Pirate Shores features the Pirate Falls log flume and the Jolly Rocker pirate ship; Mythica's Flight of the Sky Lion is a flying theater attraction offering an immersive aerial adventure. Lego City has a children's driving school where kids can experience earning a "driver's license" behind the wheel of a LEGO car; Laser Raiders is an interactive shooting dark ride that takes you through Egyptian tombs. The resort also offers LEGO-themed hotel rooms and lodge accommodations, decorated with themes such as pirates and knights, ideal for families looking for an in-depth stay.

Windsor · 12.2 km from Stanwell

Selected for Best Things to Do in London metropolitan area

Hampton Court Palace

6.5

London · 11.2 km from Stanwell

161 reviews

This Christmas, you are invited into an enchanted world. Step insideThe Winter Palace in the glowing halls of Hampton Court Palace - where mythical beasts join the most magical ball of the year. Throughout the palace, extraordinary creatures are gathering to welcome you to a celebration like no other. It's festive. It's mystical. And it's brand new for 2026. Start a new unforgettable Christmas family tradition. Hampton Court Palace is hailed as "the Versailles of England" and stands as an outstanding example of Tudor architecture, boasting magnificent structures and profound historical significance. Construction of the palace began in 1515 under the direction of Cardinal Wolsey, a key minister of Henry VIII, adhering strictly to Tudor design principles with 1,280 rooms, making it one of Britain's grandest buildings at the time. After Wolsey's fall from favor due to his excessive power, he passed away in 1530, and the palace was seized by Henry VIII. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn resided here and expanded the palace, where Edward VI was born and Elizabeth I secretly met her suitors. Later, William III and Queen Mary commissioned British and Dutch architects to renovate the palace. It wasn't until 1838 that Queen Victoria opened it to the public. Visit highlights Hampton Court Palace is divided into three main sections: the Tudor-style buildings on the west side, the Renaissance gardens, and the Baroque-style courtyards. The key areas include: Guoyu: Luxurious suites in the palace that you can't miss. Lobby: Spacious and grand, adorned with exquisite oak relief ceilings and historical tapestries. Kitchen: Historically capable of preparing meals for over a thousand people, it now frequently hosts role-playing activities to recreate historical scenes. Garden: Includes multiple classic English gardens and a fun hedge maze. Palace tour The palace has numerous rooms, and it is recommended to start your visit from the clock court (the entrance adorned with a large clock), where audio guides and cloaks for photography are provided. You can then proceed to the royal chapel and its second-floor gallery to admire the interior decor. The state apartments perfectly preserve the residences of the king and queen, featuring classical and elegant furnishings. The first-floor gallery houses over a thousand paintings, with ceilings and walls adorned by Italian artists' religious and portrait-themed frescoes. The king's bedchamber is decorated with historical artifacts such as elk antlers, while the great hall displays a series of eight "Hampton Court Palace ladies" oil paintings. The great hall is considered the best-preserved medieval hall in England, frequently used for state banquets and celebrations. The kitchen area vividly recreates Tudor-era cooking scenes, with staff portraying chefs and nobles, allowing visitors to take photos and interact. Additionally, the palace is rumored to be haunted, with claims of hearing the footsteps of Henry VIII's deceased queens in the ghost corridor. Outdoor gardens The palace facade is adorned with ancient Roman emperor busts, coat of arms, and bishop heraldry. The expansive gardens feature geometric layouts, fountain gardens, wildflower areas, and the famous hedge maze with a convenient exit at its center. Home park hosts over 300 freely roaming deer, while vineyards planted in 1768 offer fresh grape juice tastings during August visits. From the second floor of the palace, you can enjoy the symmetrical beauty of western gardens and the changing scenery of seasonal flowers. The fountain garden, shaded by lush trees and featuring well-trimmed lawns, is perfect for leisurely picnics.

London · 25 km from Stanwell

The British Museum

10

4.8/5

3.7k reviews

The British Museum's collection spans artifacts from civilizations across the world, with a total of approx. 8 million items, covering regions including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The museum has approx. 60 permanent galleries, and the items on display represent only a very small fraction of the total collection, with its ancient Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, and Asian collections being particularly renowned. The south facade of the main building features an Ionic colonnade, and the main entrance is topped by a sculpted pediment. Entering through the main entrance leads into the Great Court, a public space designed by Norman Foster with a white color scheme, where the massive semi-transparent glass roof ensures ample natural light even on London's overcast days. The Great Court was originally part of the British Library; after the library relocated, it was converted into a covered plaza, and the court displays authentic sculptures including a stone statue from Easter Island. The Rosetta Stone bears a decree of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh inscribed in three scripts, serving as the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization and ranking among the museum's most notable exhibits. The Elgin Marbles are sculptural fragments from the Parthenon, dating back over two thousand years, and are now displayed in Room 18. The Portland Vase is renowned for its dark blue glass and white cameo relief decoration, displayed in Room 70. The Tang dynasty copy of Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies survives with nine scenes and holds significant artistic and historical value, though it is not on permanent display. The Chinese collection is concentrated in Rooms 33, 33b, and 95, arranged chronologically by dynasty with artifacts ranging from Shang and Zhou bronzes to Ming and Qing porcelain, among which the Song dynasty Cizhou ware "circus pillow" and the Yuan dynasty blue-and-white dish with fish and aquatic plant design are particularly worth a closer look. The ancient Egyptian galleries are famous for their mummy exhibits and are among the most visited areas in the museum.

London · 25.1 km from Stanwell

London Eye

10

4.6/5

3.2k reviews

Take a ride on the incredible 135-metre London Eye and enjoy a panoramic view of London's stunning skyline, packed with iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and more. Ride during the day, at night, at sunset, or at dusk—which will you choose? The London Eye has a total of 32 air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabins, each of which can accommodate approximately 25 people. It takes about half an hour to complete a full rotation. The cabins are equipped with explanations of various sights in London, which play when they rotate to the corresponding angle. In addition, touch-sensitive information panels are also available.

London · 23.5 km from Stanwell

Buckingham Palace

9.5

4.6/5

2.1k reviews

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and the venue for the royal family's state events and major ceremonies. The palace has nineteen state rooms used to receive visiting heads of state and hold official ceremonies, furnished with paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculptures by Canova, and exquisite Sèvres porcelain and English and French furniture. The tour route connects magnificent halls such as the White Drawing Room, the Music Room, the Blue Drawing Room, and the Green Drawing Room. The gallery linking these rooms is about 50 m long and hangs paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer, making it the essence of the Royal Collection. The highlight of the entire tour is the Throne Room. The archway and canopy were designed by architect John Nash, inspired by his experience in theater set design, creating a highly dramatic visual effect. The pair of thrones in the hall were used in the coronations of Elizabeth II and Charles III respectively, and the official portraits specially created by painters of the King and Queen are also on permanent display here. The Throne Room once served as the backdrop for the wedding photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and to this day remains the venue for court ceremonies such as investitures. The changing of the guard ceremony in the palace forecourt is equally captivating. During the ceremony, a detachment of guards marches from Wellington Barracks to the palace accompanied by music, relieving another detachment to become the King's Guard—a classic scene for experiencing British ceremonial tradition.

London · 24.5 km from Stanwell

Westminster Abbey

9.4

4.8/5

1.5k reviews

• Visit the site on the north bank of the Thames where kings were crowned and royal weddings took place • Stroll through the UK's royal burial sites and visit the resting places of royal family members and legendary figures like Newton and Darwin • Explore magnificent, solemn, and serene Gothic architectural masterpieces Westminster Abbey, located on the north bank of the Thames in London and adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, is a Gothic-style royal church in Britain. Magnificent and grand, it is a sacred site in the UK and holds a prominent status among the country's many churches. The Henry VII Chapel is located at the rear of the church, featuring ornate decorations and surrounded by numerous chapels. Above the west door stand ten statues of 20th-century Christian martyrs, installed in 1998, representing figures from around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Berkshire

St George's Chapel

5.4

4.2/5

36 reviews

St George's Chapel is located in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, and is a representative Gothic religious building in the United Kingdom, as well as a venue for religious ceremonies and important rites held by the British royal family. It primarily features the Perpendicular Gothic architectural style, with an exterior characterized by pointed arched windows, intricate stone carvings, and a towering architectural silhouette. Upon entering, you can see the wide nave, exquisite stone fan vaulting, stained glass windows, and the ornately decorated choir stalls, with architectural details that showcase the superb craftsmanship of medieval artisans. Visitors can admire its architectural structure, stained glass, and interior decorations while learning about its religious uses and royal traditions.

Windsor · 9.6 km from Stanwell

No. 19 of Best Things to Do in London metropolitan area

Kensington Palace

7.7

London · 20.5 km from Stanwell

225 reviews

Opening in April 2027, The Queen's State Apartments at Kensington Palace will transform into an immersive multi-sensory experience centred around the life of Queen Mary II, with groups gaining insight into her identity, female relationships, and global and colonial connections. Running until November 2027, an audiovisual experience will allow visitors to enter Mary's inner world and imagination in evocative settings. Kensington Palace is located deep within Kensington Gardens in London, a royal palace with over 300 years of history. "The last princess of Punjab: Sophia Duleep Singh and the women in her life" exhibition opened on March 26, 2026 On March 26, 2026, Kensington Palace will launch a new special exhibition "The last princess of Punjab" to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Indian princess and women's suffrage movement pioneer Sophia Duleep Singh. The exhibition focuses on the life trajectories of six royal women—from Maharani Jind Kaur, the last queen of the Sikh Empire, to Sophia's mother Bamba Müller, who struggled in cultural limbo; from Princess Catherine, who secretly sheltered Jewish refugees, to Princess Bamba, who insisted on returning to her homeland, and finally to Queen Victoria, a godmother who was both a protector and a symbol of empire. Their stories sketch a family epic spanning three generations, interwoven with power, legacy, and resistance. The exhibition brings to life the struggles and connections of these women through a series of precious historical artifacts. Among the highlights are tangible evidence of Princess Sophia's involvement in the women's suffrage movement: the original 1913 photograph of her selling "The Suffragette" newspaper in front of Hampton Court Palace, displayed alongside her 1911 census form bearing her handwritten protest "No vote, no census." These two exhibits stand side by side, silently telling how a royal family member transformed power into a weapon of resistance. The story of Maharani Jind Kaur is told through jewelry. Her emerald necklace, once confiscated by the East India Company, is not just an exquisite ornament but also a symbol of the Sikh Empire's glory and downfall. A makara-headed gold bracelet meant to be passed down between mother and daughter was never delivered due to her imprisonment and her young son being sent to England. It was eventually gifted by her son to his bride, becoming a witness to the family's dispersal. Beside these pieces are letters written by Bamba Müller in English and Punjabi, their words revealing the loneliness of transcending cultural identities. The intimate exhibits in the exhibition reveal the emotional world between these women, where behind the elegance lies their complex situation as "imperial subjects" who were both part of and yet alienated from high society. The display of private letters between Princess Catherine and her female companion Lina unveils a profound relationship hidden by history. The archival records of Catherine secretly sheltering Jewish refugees at home after her companion's death demonstrate her courage in transforming personal grief into humanitarian action. Telling this story at Queen Victoria's childhood residence holds special significance. Curator Polly Putnam noted: "This palace has long been a stage for stories of royal women, but this time we're presenting a different narrative—about women profoundly shaped by imperial history yet never defined by it. They rebuilt themselves in a fractured world, finding strength within constraints."