Castle Arena, Windsor

Castle Arena sits just outside Windsor and serves as the town's main events venue - think equestrian competitions, country shows, and the occasional concert under canvas. It's a working sports ground rather than a leisure attraction in the traditional sense, so you're really here to catch whatever's on the schedule rather than turn up on spec. The arena itself is functional rather than fancy, but when there's a proper event on - a horse trials or a county show - it comes alive with genuine local energy. You'll want to check what's happening before you go, because rocking up on a quiet Tuesday won't give you much to do. Horse enthusiasts and country folk will get far more from it than families after a casual afternoon out. If you're staying at Queens Acre or Amerden - both solid five-star parks within a few miles - and there's something on, it's worth the short drive over. The Windsor area has plenty of proper attractions to fill the gaps though, so don't plan your whole trip around Castle Arena. Parking's straightforward, and admission depends entirely on what event is running. Best move is ringing ahead to see what's scheduled during your visit.