Sleepwalking Through Windsor:
Our Jet-Lagged First Day in England
There is something magical about stepping off a plane in a new country. There is also something incredibly exhausting about doing it after a nine-hour overnight flight with almost no sleep.
Our first day in England was a mixture of excitement, history, beautiful scenery…and pure exhaustion. Looking back, we probably should have taken a nap before exploring one of Britain’s most famous castles. Instead, fueled by adrenaline and curiosity, we found ourselves literally sleepwalking through Windsor.
Landing in England
Our flight into London arrived early in the morning after roughly nine hours in the air. Like many overnight flights, actual sleep was in short supply. We hoped the excitement of finally reaching England would keep us awake.
Then came our first travel hiccup. Some of our luggage never made it onto the baggage carousel. While airline staff worked to locate the missing bags, we adjusted our plans and reminded ourselves that travel adventures rarely begin perfectly.
With that behind us, we picked up our rental car and began what would become our first challenge of the trip.
Driving on the “Wrong” Side of the Road
The drive from Heathrow Airport to Windsor only takes about 30 minutes, but those thirty minutes were packed with excitement.
Driving on the left side of the road while sitting in the right-hand driver’s seat takes some serious concentration. Just as we started getting comfortable on the motorway, we exited into town where roundabouts seemed to appear every few hundred yards.
Add in dozens of cyclists weaving through traffic, unfamiliar road signs, and centuries-old streets, and it quickly became one of the most memorable drives we’ve ever experienced.
Surprisingly, after a few roundabouts, it actually became fun.
Lunch at a Historic Railway Station
Before visiting the castle, we stopped for lunch at Windsor Royal Station.
Originally built as a Victorian railway station serving the royal family, the station has since been transformed into a charming shopping and dining area while preserving much of its historic character.
The highlight outside was a beautifully restored steam locomotive named The Queen, standing proudly as a reminder of Britain’s railway heritage.
After lunch, we enjoyed a leisurely walk through Windsor’s picturesque streets toward the castle entrance.
The town itself is wonderfully walkable, filled with historic buildings, cozy shops, and inviting pubs.
Finding the Two Brewers
One unexpected stop along the way was the Two Brewers pub.
Fans of The Reluctant Traveler may recognize it as the pub where Eugene Levy shared lunch with Prince William during one of the show’s memorable episodes. Naturally, we couldn’t resist stopping for a quick photo before continuing our walk.
Sometimes it’s the little discoveries like this that make traveling so enjoyable.
Entering Windsor Castle
Walking through the gates of Windsor Castle feels like stepping directly into nearly 1,000 years of history.
Construction originally began around 1070 under William the Conqueror and took approximately sixteen years to complete. Initially built almost entirely of wood, the fortress was gradually rebuilt in stone beginning around 1170, including the iconic Round Tower and massive defensive walls that took decades more to finish.
Later, during the 12th century, the fortress gradually evolved into the royal palace that still serves as one of the official residences of the British monarch today.
Considering its popularity, visitor crowds were surprisingly manageable.
After receiving complimentary audio guides and headphones, we began exploring the castle grounds at our own pace.
The State Apartments
Like many visitors, we bypassed Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House after seeing the enormous queue stretching outside. We had heard the line usually became much shorter later in the afternoon, but our energy levels weren’t exactly improving.
Instead, we headed directly into the magnificent State Apartments. The rooms immediately reminded us of our visit to Drottningholm Palace in Sweden. The ornate furnishings, richly decorated ceilings, grand paintings, and lavish interiors also carried subtle hints of the Palace of Versailles.
It wouldn’t be surprising if many of Europe’s royal residences influenced one another as they were expanded and refurbished during similar periods.
The complimentary audio guide provided fascinating stories about the British monarchy, the artwork, and the purpose of each room.
Fighting Jet Lag
Unfortunately, our bodies finally decided they had reached their limit.
After nearly twenty-four hours awake with very little sleep, all three of us found ourselves struggling to stay alert.
We were genuinely worried we might fall asleep while walking through the State Apartments.
As incredible as they were, we decided fresh air sounded much more appealing than another beautifully decorated room.
Sometimes the smartest sightseeing decision is simply knowing when to take a break.
The Castle Grounds
Outside, we wandered through the peaceful Venus Garden.
While beautifully maintained, the gardens are relatively compact compared to the enormous landscapes surrounding places like Versailles or some of the larger European palaces we’ve visited.
Still, they offered a quiet place to recover from sensory overload.
We also admired the magnificent Gothic exterior of St. George’s Chapel, one of England’s most important royal churches and the resting place of numerous monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II.
Even without touring the interior, the architecture alone makes it worth the visit.
Time for a Reset
Recognizing that jet lag had officially won, we drove to our hotel in London.
A hot shower followed by a quick recovery nap worked wonders.
It was exactly what we needed.
An Evening at Hyde Park
Rather than calling it a day, we decided to spend the evening outdoors at Hyde Park. We walked along The Long Water, enjoying one of London’s most beautiful green spaces.
The park was full of life with walkers, runners, skateboarders, rollerbladers, cyclists, and families all shared the pathways while paddle boats drifted peacefully across the water. The wildlife was equally entertaining, with large flocks of geese and the elegant swans that have become iconic throughout London’s parks.
One of our favorite discoveries was the beautiful Italian Gardens near the northern entrance to Hyde Park. The fountains, sculptures, and carefully landscaped flowerbeds provided a peaceful ending to an otherwise hectic first day.
A casual dinner at a nearby park café completed the evening before we finally called it a night.
Jet Lag Couldn’t Steal the Magic
Our first day in England wasn’t perfect.
We were missing luggage.
We were navigating unfamiliar roads on the opposite side of traffic.
We were running almost entirely on adrenaline.
And by the time we reached the State Apartments inside Windsor Castle, we were practically sleepwalking.
Yet somehow, that’s exactly what made the day so memorable.
Travel isn’t always about perfect timing or ideal circumstances. Sometimes it’s about embracing the unexpected, laughing through the exhaustion, and creating stories you’ll still be telling years later.
Looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing.
Even if we can barely remember parts of Windsor thanks to jet lag.
Travel Tips for Visiting Windsor Castle
- Arrive early to beat the largest crowds.
- Don’t skip the free audio guide—it adds tremendous historical context.
- If the line for Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is long, visit later in the afternoon.
- If you’re driving from Heathrow, prepare for numerous roundabouts and remember to drive on the left.
- Give yourself time to explore Windsor’s charming streets before or after your castle visit.
- If you’re arriving after an overnight international flight, consider taking a short nap before touring the castle—you’ll appreciate the experience much more!
