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Looking for the absolute best Windsor Castle tour? We’ve found the clear winner!
This day trip from London made visiting three of England’s most iconic landmarks—Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge—surprisingly simple and totally stress-free. From the moment we boarded the coach to the final drop-off back in London, everything was well-organized, scenic, and packed with history.
Our guide was fantastic, the itinerary was well-balanced, and having tickets and transport included made the whole experience seamless. No rental car, no planning—just show up and enjoy the ride. We’ll walk you through each stop, what we loved, a few things to keep in mind, and everything you should know before booking it for yourself. Let’s dive in!
- Our Itinerary on the Tour
- What we loved about this tour
- What I didn’t like about this tour
- Would I recommend this tour?
- Other Activities to do While in London
- Where to Stay in London
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in the UK
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
Our Itinerary on the Tour
Meeting point – Victoria Coach Station
We boarded our tour bright and early from Victoria Coach Station. Our bay was easy to find, especially with the station’s digital boards pointing out departure bays. We arrived by 7:30 am as instructed, which gave us just enough time to grab a coffee before check-in.
Our guide was already greeting guests and helping with boarding, and right on schedule at 8 am, the coach pulled out of London, and we were on our way. Starting early meant beating some of the crowds at Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, and getting a full day of exploring without ever feeling rushed.
First stop – Windsor Castle
We kicked off the day with a visit to Windsor Castle, one of the oldest and largest castles that is still in use – it’s one of the official residences of the King. With over 900 years of royal history tucked inside its massive walls, this stop felt like stepping into the living legacy of the British monarchy. The self-guided tour lets you explore the State Apartments and the awe-inspiring St. George’s Chapel, where dozens of royal weddings and funerals have taken place.
You’ll have about an hour here, giving you just enough time to admire the castle’s grandeur and dive into its royal history.
But here’s something important: Windsor Castle is closed on Mondays. The tour still stops for exterior photos, but you won’t be able to go inside. If this site is a highlight for you (and it should be!), I’d recommend planning your day trip for any other day.
Second stop – The Roman Baths
On the way to the Roman Baths, we briefly visited St. George’s Chapel—a beautiful Gothic church still used for royal ceremonies—and passed Pulteney Bridge, an elegant, shop-lined span unique to Bath. Once in the heart of the city, we had about an hour to explore its most famous attraction: the Roman Baths.
Nearly 2,000 years old, this remarkably preserved complex was built around natural thermal springs and served as a hub of Roman social and spiritual life. Admission is optional, but if you’re into ancient history, it’s a must. You’ll see the Sacred Spring, the Great Bath, and walk through centuries-old ruins brought to life with artifacts and exhibits. While you can’t soak in the waters today, just standing beside them is transportive.
Third stop – Stonehenge
Before leaving Bath, we passed two more local gems—Bath Abbey, a grand Gothic church with deep monastic roots, and the sweeping curve of the Royal Crescent, one of England’s finest examples of Georgian architecture. Then it was off to the day’s most mysterious stop: Stonehenge.
We had about an hour here, which included a guided tour that really helped bring the site to life. These massive standing stones, arranged some 5,000 years ago on the Salisbury Plain, have puzzled historians and intrigued travelers for centuries. Was it a celestial calendar? A burial site? A spiritual gateway? No one knows for sure, but being there in person makes the mystery all the more powerful.
Admission is included, and we also had time to explore the visitor center, which houses fascinating artifacts and a recreation of Neolithic life. This was a bucket-list stop, and it lived up to the hype.
Related Read: To make the most of your time in London, check out our detailed 3-day itinerary. It covers everything from the best things to do to places to eat!
What we loved about this tour
Highly rated and positive reviews
Before booking, we noticed this tour has over 15,000 glowing reviews (see them all here)—and after experiencing it for ourselves, we totally see why. Travelers consistently praise the smooth organization, the iconic destinations, and the well-timed itinerary. Many reviewers even called it the highlight of their entire trip to London. If you’re on the fence, just scroll through the reviews—it’s clear this tour has earned its reputation.
Great tour guides
One of the standout features was the expertise of the guides. They were full of fascinating stories and historical insights, and really helped bring each location to life. Plus, everyone received a personal headset, so even if we wandered a few steps away, we could still hear every detail clearly. It made the experience feel both personal and polished.
You get to see a lot
For a single-day trip, this tour packs in a surprising amount—Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and the Roman Baths, all in one smooth, well-paced itinerary. It’s a smart choice for anyone who wants to see several iconic sights without juggling transport, tickets, or logistics. We left feeling like we really got a taste of southern England’s history and charm.
Balance of guided tour and free time
The structure of this tour was spot-on. Some stops were guided, like Stonehenge, where we learned so much from our expert leader. Others, like Windsor Castle and the Roman Baths, were self-guided, giving us freedom to explore at our own pace. It was the perfect mix—we never felt rushed, but we also didn’t feel like we were on our own.
Free cancellation options
This tour is super popular, so we booked it early, but loved knowing we had free cancellation up to 24 hours before. That flexibility made a huge difference while we were still locking in the rest of our itinerary. It’s great to have peace of mind when you’re planning a busy travel schedule.
Easy meeting point
The tour starts and ends at Victoria Coach Station, which made it incredibly easy to get there in the morning and find our way home after. No hotel pickups, no complicated logistics—just a central location, clear instructions, and a smooth departure. We even had time to grab a coffee before heading out!
Related Read: For more ideas on what to do in London, check out our list of the best 10 things to do!
What I didn’t like about this tour
A lot of time on the bus
With three major stops spread across southern England, you do spend a fair amount of time on the road. It’s not really something the tour can control—it’s just the nature of covering this much ground in one day. We’d recommend bringing a book, a podcast, or headphones for the longer stretches. That said, the drive itself was scenic, and we actually enjoyed watching the countryside roll by between stops!
Large group
This tour runs on a full-size coach, which means up to 50 people can be part of the group. That can occasionally make it slower to get on and off the bus, and at crowded spots, you might need to get closer to hear the guide. But on the plus side, the larger group keeps the cost affordable, making it one of the best value day trips we found out of London.
Long day – (but all the tours are)
There’s no sugarcoating it—this is a long day, especially with an early start and a full itinerary. By the time we got back to London, we were definitely ready to kick off our shoes. But that’s to be expected when you cover this much in one day, and we left feeling like we’d made the most of every minute. Tired? Yes. But totally worth it!
Would I recommend this tour?
One million times, yes! It’s such an easy and enjoyable way to experience Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge all in one well-organized day. The logistics were seamless—transportation, tickets, and timing were all handled for us, so we could just sit back and enjoy the sights.
Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and kept the day running smoothly, even with a large group. And with thousands of glowing reviews, it’s clear this tour has made a great impression on travelers from all over. We’re definitely glad we booked it!
Don’t wait—reserve this top-rated day trip from London here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Other Activities to do While in London
After your day trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and the Roman Baths, you can explore the rest of London! We had so much fun wandering around the city and taking in the sights. We wished we had more time to see it all, but here are our top five favorite things we did:
- Ride the London Eye – As one of London’s iconic landmarks, we couldn’t miss riding the London Eye. I recommend booking these skip-the-line tickets in advance to save yourself time for other classic London activities!
- See Harry Potter film locations – Calling all Potter fans! Since these classic books and films were set in London, taking this tour to see the actual film locations truly made the story come to life! We had learned so much from our expert guide and had so much fun seeing the city in a new, magical light.
- Discover London’s pub culture – England is known for its classic pub scene, and we wanted to learn all about it! We loved this historic pub walking tour. Not only did we find some hidden gems, but we also learned a ton of history and enjoyed a pint (or two or three!).
- Learn about London’s historic sights – In a city as old as London, we were overwhelmed by the historic sights! So we joined this full-day city tour which took us to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, on a Thames River cruise, and more. All the while learning tons of facts about this historic city!
- Go on a food tour – Pies, fish and chips, sausage rolls, and more – we were eager to dive into London’s food scene! This food tour took us all over the city, giving us tasty bites of classic English dishes and teaching us about the history as we went.
Where to Stay in London
London is a massive city, so where you stay really depends on what you plan on doing! Luckily, the tube provides excellent public transportation, so you can get all around the city no matter where you stay. Here are my three recommendations for a luxury, mid-range, and budget stay!
St Martins Lane London – $$$
St Martins Lane London is located in Covent Garden, which puts you within walking distance of one of the best areas. The rooms are modern, minimalist, and very trendy, but make for quite the luxurious hotel. They have an onsite bar and restaurant that is top tier, or you’re close to tons of great London hot spots.
Prices for this luxury hotel start at £330 and can be reserved on Booking.com.
The Drayton Court Hotel – $$
For a quieter stay not directly in the city center, The Drayton Court Hotel is a high-quality option at a moderate price point. It’s right next to the West Ealing Railway Station so you can get anywhere quickly, but enjoy a different side of London. I love this period themed hotel, who wouldn’t want a room with a clawfoot tub!? You can choose from twin and double rooms to luxury suites.
Rooms are priced from £160 to £260 – not bad! Check availability and book this hotel on Booking.com.
The Z Hotel Victoria – $
The Z Hotel Victoria is all about location (okay, and nice rooms too!). Located just a 5-minute walk from Buckingham Palace, this budget stay is great for travelers who want to be out exploring, instead of hanging at the hotel. The rooms are quite small, but clean and provide all you need for a comfy place to rest your head.
You can book a room for £100 to £130 here on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all of the hotels in London here.
Related Read: For an in-depth look at all the best areas and hotels in London, check out our expert guide here!
Renting a Car in the UK
Renting a car in the UK is a fantastic way to explore beyond the cities—think charming villages, scenic countryside, and off-the-beaten-path spots that trains and buses might miss. Driving here is generally straightforward, but it’s good to be prepared for some regional quirks.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find automatic cars (which can be tricky in Europe!), and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in the United Kingdom
- Drive on the left: In the UK, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. This means the driver’s seat is on the right, and you’ll need to adjust to roundabouts and different road layouts. Take some time to get comfortable before hitting busy roads.
- Insurance is essential: I highly recommend adding full coverage insurance to your rental. Whether it’s a ding in a parking lot or a chipped windshield on a rural road, having full protection gives you peace of mind. Plus, it’s super affordable with Discover Cars!
- Pick the right vehicle: Most rentals in the UK are manual transmission, and automatic cars are limited—so book early if that’s what you need. Also, a compact car is great for narrow village roads or tight city parking. With Discover Cars, it’s super easy to filter for exactly what you need.
- City driving & zones: Cities like London and Birmingham have congestion charges and LEZs (low-emission zones). Double-check before entering—some zones require advance registration or payment.
What You Need to Rent a Car in the UK
- A valid driver’s license from your home country.
- If your license isn’t in English or doesn’t use Latin characters, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
- A credit card in the driver’s name is typically required for the security deposit.
- Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, with a young driver surcharge applicable for those under 25. Some companies may have higher age requirements, so make sure you double-check.
Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring the UK on your own terms!
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Thanks for reading!
Visiting Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and the Roman Baths makes for one epic day trip from London! In my opinion, this tour is a must-do. We had a fantastic experience, learned a lot from our guides, and enjoyed the seamless day of sightseeing. If it’s still available for your travel dates, you don’t want to miss it!
Before you go, check out our other UK blogs here! If you’re continuing your travels through London or venturing further, we have resources to help you plan a memorable trip. Here are a few related blogs to get you started – cheers!
How to Spend THREE DAYS in London – The Best 3-Day Itinerary