Unitary authority in England
| Coordinates: | 51.48, -0.69 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SU 91 76 |
Windsor and Maidenhead sits in the county of Berkshire to the west of London, running along the middle reaches of the River Thames. It brings together the historic riverside towns of Windsor and Maidenhead with smaller towns and villages, including Eton and the famous racecourse at Ascot.
The area is rich in royal and educational heritage: Windsor Castle and Eton College are major cultural draws, while expansive green spaces such as Windsor Great Park and riverside walks help define its character. Tourism, events and a strong local leisure offer sit alongside everyday town-centre life.
Economically it forms part of the Thames Valley corridor and functions as a prosperous London commuter belt with good rail and road connections and proximity to Heathrow. Local planning often balances development and housing demand with floodplain management along the River Thames, producing a mix of affluent suburbs and more mixed urban neighbourhoods around central Maidenhead.