Royal retreat

10:25am Friday 16th May 2008

SURVEYING the sumptuous comfort of the swish Runnymede Hotel, Egham, it's easy to believe you are living like a king - or should I say queen?

Because you'll certainly be treated like royalty on a short break in Windsor, the Queen's own favourite weekend retreat.

Having your own castle helps, of course. But this is a borough associated with royalty for nearly 1,000 years - and where Her Majesty spent her 80th birthday, Better still, Ascot Racecourse, a favourite of The Queen, was reopened by her following a £200 million redevelopment programme, the most extensive project of its kind in Europe.

And, in the same year, 2006, Savill Garden, the superb 35 acre woodland garden in Windsor Great Park, revealed the eye-catching Savill Building, whose undulating roof, shaped like a leaf, merges with the tall trees surrounding it.

Quite a tourist tally, then, for a riverside town that boasts not simply the largest inhabited castle in the world - with at least two to three hours required for savouring its riches - but shopping at chic boutiques and fine dining too.

The castle gained its distinction, not for the opulence of the rooms, the wide range of paintings or even suits of armour or displays of weaponry, but simply because it looks every inch a storybook castle with Queen Mary's Doll House an added attraction.

Highlight of my splendid weekend was a half-hour carriage drive through Windsor Great Park, the gentle clip-clop of the two bay horses accompanied by the cheerful banter of our coachman.

Windsor has long been associated with all things equestrian. The Royal Ascot race aside, there's the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May and the National Carriage Driving Championships in September. And polo matches are held on Smiths Lawn, home to the Guards Polo Club, every Sunday afternoon from April to September.

Also sporting a regal tag is the 633-seater Theatre Royal which, opened in 1910, is Grade Two listed, and features a variety of first-class productions.

At Windsor's hub is the Royal Station pedestrian shopping centre developed on the site of the 100-year-old station: names like Crabtree and Evelyn, Jaeger, Petit Bateau and Phase Eight rub shoulders with Cafe Nero, Carluccio's and Ha Ha Bar and Canteen.

And for children, Legoland is now inextricably linked with Windsor - but be prepared to queue on busy weekends. There are more than 50 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and other attractions, set in 150 acres of superb parkland, Even bedtime became worthwhile. With a view of Thames, a silver thread in the setting sun, what more regal way to settle down on a Right Royal Weekend?

Travel factfile

Where to stay: Family weekend B&B breaks at the Runnymede Hotel & Spa, (www.runnymedehotel.com) on A308, include: one adult and one child to include two passes worth £190 (for Legoland) and £110 (for Windsor); or two adults and one child to include three passes £265 (Legoland) £220 (Windsor). Passes for Legoland are valid for two days and passes for Windsor Castle are valid for one day. Special Windsor accommodation hotline: 01753 743907 or e-mail Windsor.accommodation@rbwm.gov.uk. Attractions: Legoland Windsor, one-day ticket £34 (adult) and £26 (children aged three -15/ senior citizens); two-day ticket: £66 and £50. Under-threes go free. www.LEGOLAND.co.uk Windsor Castle: Admission, including audio tour: family £38.10 (two adults and three children under-17); adults £14.80; over-60, £13.30; under-17 £8.50. Advance tickets from www.royalcollection.org.uk. Carriage drive: £20 per carriage (four people) for half-hour or £40 per carriage for an hour's ride along the Long Walk (www.orchardpoyle.co.uk).