Local area

Getting there 

Royal Holloway is located in the village Englefield Green, which is a 10 minute walk away from the town Egham. You can also reach Egham via our bus service.

Top tips

Take a short walk to Runnymede | to explore the attractive area of riverside meadows, grassland and woodland. Soak up the history of the area – King John signed the Magna Carta| here in 1215 – and relax by the River Thames.

Alternatively, cycle, run or simply explore on foot the varied 4,800 acre landscape of Windsor Great Park. Don’t be deceived by the name though as you can access the Great Park using an entrance just minutes away from Royal Holloway.

When you've finished studying, treat yourself to a meal out as Englefield Green and Egham are home to a number of independent restaurants ranging from Indian to Italian, traditional British pub food to modern cuisine. You can also take part in one of the pub quizzes held in the local area once a week or head into Windsor for a student club night.

Another benefit of Egham is that you can stock up on the weekly shop while being close to campus. It has all the shops that Royal Holloway students need on a day-to-day basis, including supermarkets and smaller convenience stores.

Getting there 

A bus from just outside campus takes approximately 15 minutes.  Alternatively, a train from Egham takes around five minutes.

Top tips

Pay a visit to the recently renovated Two Rivers |shopping complex or Elmsleigh |

Shopping Centre|. These are home, together with the high street, to many of the big name  chains, as well as small independent shops. Whether you’re looking for a new outfit for that night out, a book for your studies or a DVD for a night in you’ll find it here. 

If you missed the weekly market day in the Students’ Union, there are regular markets in Staines-upon-Thames. Farmers’ markets showcase the best in local produce while arts and crafts fairs may give you something extra to add to your university room. The good value fruit and vegetable markets also ensure there’s no excuse not to eat healthily. 

When you're done with the shopping, why not catch the latest blockbuster at the modern 10 screen Vue cinema|, sample one of the town centre's restaurants or have a drink at one of the modern bars on the Thames? 

At the weekend, you can also take in the thrills and sights of Thorpe Park| with a group of friends. This theme park is a shuttle bus ride away from the town centre.

Getting there

A bus from just outside the campus takes approximately 20 minutes. For those students feeling energetic, the walk across Windsor Great Park takes around an hour.

Top Tips

Windsor Castle|  forms such a large part of the town you can’t miss it! If you’re interested in the history of Britain or love Wills and Kate, it’s well worth paying the castle a visit. It’s the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II.

Explore the elaborately decorated state apartments which are open to visitors throughout the year.

Whether you prefer a meal and drink in a local pub, or modern cuisine and a glass of wine in a trendy bar, Windsor offers a great choice and is popular with Royal Holloway students. After dark, there’s plenty of late-night bars and clubs offering student nights if you fancy a night on the town.

Art fans will love the Firestation Arts Centre|. Located a five-minute walk away from the town centre, the venue's eclectic programme takes in mainstream and international cinema, theatre productions, gigs showcasing upcoming bands from indie to jazz, comedy and dance shows, as well as 2D art exhibitions. 

Windsor is shopping heaven, whether you have a penchant for designer fashion, high-street labels, department stores or more independent shops. All these sit side by side with smaller, specialist outlets.

Getting there

Trains run regularly from Egham directly to Richmond upon Thames and take approximately 20 minutes.

Top tips

As the River Thames runs through the heart of Richmond|, many visitors simply wander along the river taking in the picturesque view or visit London’s largest park with herds of deer and views as far as St Paul’s Cathedral. It is also a great area for grabbing a bite to eat or doing a spot of shopping. 

Twickenham Stadium|, close to Richmond, is the home of England Rugby. Take in the excitement of one of the international finals, or support one of the local London rugby teams in their pursuit of the premiership title.

If you enjoyed Windsor castle and want to explore more of the UK’s history, Richmond is home to Hampton Court Palace,| which was built by Cardinal Wolsey, with well-maintained state apartments, landscaped gardens and a mind-boggling outdoor maze. You can also find out more about its former resident King Henry VIII and his six wives.

Getting there

Trains |run regularly from Egham directly to London Waterloo and take approximately 40 minutes.

Top tips

A visit to London doesn't need to be expensive. During the summer months, you are likely to find a free festival| happening around the capital almost every weekend. 

London is home to the some of the largest international festivals in Europe, and hosts its own annual Thames Festival|. Local boroughs often celebrate their cultures with street parties and festivals.

While open-air festivals are a good option in the summer months, winter is a good chance to explore London's museums|. London is home to some of the world's best museums and art galleries, many of which are free, where you can discover a wealth of exhibitions.

London is well-known for its West End|, with theatres staging international productions and bars and clubs providing plenty of options for a night out once the performance is over.

Oxford Street| or Regent Street| are likely to be your first stops on a big shopping trip, but don't forget London's markets if you're looking for something really unique. Camden Lock| and Spitalfields| are two of the better known markets, and offer a range of clothing and crafts, as well as food and drink.  Borough Market, near London Bridge, is also a great option for lunch and for picking up fresh produce. 

You can also find two Westfield Shopping Centres| in London, one near Shepherd's Bush| and the other near the Olympic Park in Stratford.|

London is one of the greenest capitals in the world, and if you fancy escaping from the busy streets, you won't need to go far to find one of its many parks|.  These offer the opportunity for enjoyment, exploration, or simply a summer picnic with friends.

Onward connections 

With 18 major railway stations surrounding London's city centre, connections are offered to practically all main cities in the UK. 

If you want to travel even further afield, the Eurostar| service connects St Pancras International Station to Paris or Brussels in just over two hours. 

Getting there

Trains run regularly from Egham directly to Reading and take approximately 40 minutes.

Top tips

Music lovers should be well aware of the Reading Festival.| The annual music festival, held in August, hosts some of the biggest acts on the rock and indie music scene.  

Even though it has a massive capacity of 80,000, demand is high and tickets often sell out within days of being released – so you have to be quick if you're thinking of going!

Of course, Reading Festival isn't the only place where you can enjoy live music in Reading as it is home to several venues, such as the Hexagon and the Concert Hall. You’ll be able to find an event to suit your interests, whether it’s rock music, comedy or theatre.

Meanwhile, Reading's largest shopping centre, the Oracle|, is a natural starting point on any visit to the town. If you don't fancy taking on the busy streets of London, it offers a great alternative. Located directly in the town centre, it is home to 110 stores, along with riverside eateries and cinema.

Onward connections

Trains run north from Reading towards the university city of Oxford, south to coastal retreats such as Bournemouth, and further west towards the beautiful south coast of Wales and cities such as Cardiff and Swansea.