Thames river location & direct access! Unique home, amazing Windsor Castle views

Top rated by guests
Lake
The well-equipped galley style kitchen - cook as much or as little as you like
Hello, Royalty! (if the flag is flying, the Queen is in residence)
View of the cottage from the Eton-Windsor pedestrian bridge
Your home is waiting!
review stars
9.9Outstanding
(29 Ratings)
"A truly spectacular property with a stunning deck on the Thames overlooking Windsor castle. Our children particularly loved feeding the fleet of swans from the deck which they fed every morning. The h..."
Paul G.
Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
9.9 / 10
Outstanding(29 Ratings)

House in Windsor

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 3 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Top-tier experienceA high end property in this area
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About this house rental

Welcome to Rafts Cottage Eton Windsor!

This unique and gorgeous property is for guests seeking a special holiday home in an amazing, on-the-river location with unparalleled views.

Our exceptionally well-equipped 3 bedroom house has been enjoyed and featured during Royal events. Rafts Cottage was featured by People magazine (the top US celebrity magazine) during Harry & Meghan's Royal Wedding, and it was home base for their journalists on the scene!

You can enjoy this beautiful Eton, Windsor historic riverside holiday home rental near Eton College boarding school. You will be literally on the Thames waterfront, with a gorgeous view of Windsor Castle.
London is only 30 minutes downstream, Henley 30 minutes upstream, and Legoland and other attractions of wider London in easy reach. Walk to restaurants, shops, hikes, etc in Windsor and Eton: it's all just out your door!

This is a unique luxury self-catering holiday cottage with 3 double bedrooms that can accommodate 2 - 6 people for minimum 3 night stays.

Nestling graciously on the banks of the river Thames for over 200 years, the house provides unique boutique style accommodation under the ramparts of Windsor Castle and adjacent to the Eton College School boathouse (in fact, Rafts Cottage previously was an Eton boathouse!)

An ideal location from which to tour Windsor Castle and town, Eton College (for House visits, etc.), and with easy access to London, as well as the countryside and countless amazing English attractions.

No parties and no commercial activities permitted.

Enjoy with close friends, or with the children/grandchildren for family reunions, or simply as a cosy couple. All types of groups love staying in this property in this location!

The boathouse is set over three floors.
At the top of the house, reached by a handmade & bespoke mixed English Ash helical staircase, you will find Windsor and Eton's best boutique hotel style room – The Admirals Den.

The Admirals Den
A 35sq metre suite with a double stone bath with incredible Royal Windsor Castle views, a small lounging area with comfortable seating, full opening picturesque windows commanding Windsor’s finest views of the River Thames, Windsor Castle and beyond. A separate massage shower room, a dressing area that overlooks the gated Eton village side & courtyard entrance. A luxurious, 6ft wide comfy bed with an exquisite 11ft wide galleon themed headboard with individual switches to remote control, the Sky TV entertainment, electric roof lights and blinds. Be inspired by the Moroccan moorish, decor & mood lighting, that softly illuminates, the reclaimed wide board flooring and the vaulted historic 20ft high ceilings.

Graciously descend from the top to the middle floor to find two further exquisite and uniquely styled bedrooms, The Captains Hideaway and The Lieutenants Courtyard.

The Captains Hideaway & Lieutenants Courtyard
Located on the middle floor, both the Captains and Lieutenants are en-suite rooms, with stone luxury baths with separate hand showers. The Captains has picturesque full opening windows with stunning river and Windsor Castle views. The luxury bedroom also overlooks the bridge deck and moorings below and has wide board flooring, separate wardrobes and drawers with an exquisite en-suite bathroom with all necessary refinements. The Lieutenants overlooks the gated courtyard, and benefits from a luxury en-suite bath room with both double stone bath and walk-in shower. Both rooms are styled in a similar Moroccan Moorish theme, with mood lighting, wide board wooden flooring, and decor with ancient beams and historic steels.

The River Room, Bridge Deck & Moorings, and the Lower Pontoon make up the ground floor level:
Open plan living from the moment you enter Rafts Cottage, filled with sunlight during the day, and glistening reflections of Windsor and the Castle at night make our luxury vacation rental in England a dream home-away-from-home. With heated floors for cosy winter holidays and, full opening riverside doors to allow for a cool river breeze on those balmier summer nights, holiday with family and friends in Eton style.
Equipped with numerous cushions, tables & chairs for both inside and outside dining, and a kitchen full of hi spec equipment, including - steam oven, warming plate, and a variety of coffee making options, you can enjoy a luxurious and independent stay. You certainly won’t have to eat in the many local and very nearby restaurants - although you are sure to enjoy exploring these as well!

Rafts Cottage is available for minimum 3 night stays, one week holidays, or possibly short term lets with our monthly bookings up to 28 days.

Winter Holiday Vacation Rentals
Open all year round, our guests in the know return throughout the year to experience Rafts Cottage and the amazing surrounding area in all the different English seasons. Winter holidays are magical, especially when you can enjoy the morning and mid day sun, creating the perfect blue skies over Windsor Castle and beyond. Although a little colder than taking an autumn family holiday, the river Thames can still be navigated by the many hire boats to explore the perfect burning red sunsets and other boating fun upstream. It's a perfect cottage holiday anytime, including winter holiday vacation rentals such as Christmas and New Year.
Summer Holiday Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals in both the spring and summer holiday season are always glorious. Come rain or shine, you and our guests truly become the envy of all the people passing through Windsor & Eton. Alfresco dining on the porch deck throughout the day (breakfast, brunch or lunch, and dinner) becomes a celebrated daily ritual for every guest. Then, many like to retire to the double hammock or bench on the lower deck, to relax, snooze or watch Windsor town centre and Windsor bridge come alive with entertainers & tango dancing nights. Perfect cottage holidays, & self catering accommodation for summer holiday vacation rentals.
(Please note that, as throughout most of the UK, the property does not have air conditioning, although we do provide fans for your comfort.)

We believe that you will not find a better holiday home location, let alone any other comparable accommodation.
Rafts Cottage is so much more than all other Windsor & Eton hotels or holiday apartment rentals on offer, we simply will never do compare to the norm!

Luxury waterside homes – Holiday home rentals for up to 6 persons

Unique vacation and apartment rentals by owner (VRBO) in Berkshire – London Home Counties – England - UK
See what some of our guests are saying
"perfect for London and Legoland holidays in Windsor".
"a beautiful and unusual place to stay on the River Thames"
"an enchanting private residence"
"a luxurious, boutique style - self catering cottage home"
"a Windsor & Eton chic retreat"
"a cool place to stay"
"a luxurious holiday home for the family to enjoy"

No parties and no commercial activities permitted.

Amenities at Thames river location & direct access! Unique home, amazing Windsor Castle views

Non-smoking
No pets allowed

Map of Windsor


Ratings and reviews

9.9 / 10
Outstanding(29 Ratings)
10 / 10Outstanding·Oct 2025
A truly spectacular property with a stunning deck on the Thames overlooking Windsor castle. Our children particularly loved feeding the fleet of swans from the deck which they fed every morning. The house is cozy and was comfortable for our family of four and my parents. The house is also conveniently situated for both the tourist sights of Windsor and a Plethora of shops and restaurants.
10 / 10Outstanding·Dec 2023
A wonderful location. Chistine provided detailed instructions for everything. Eaton and Windsor are beautiful towns connected by a foot bridge.Rafts Cottage was perfect. A rare find
10 / 10Outstanding·Aug 2022
Couldn't have had a better experience or been in a nicer place. Expensive but worth it. House right across the river from Windsor Castle. Three levels with three nice bedrooms/ensuites. All the supplies and needed household items on site when we arrived.
10 / 10Outstanding·Jan 2022
What a great location, walking distance to everything you need. The house was great for our family, well equipped kitchen, we did cook Christmas dinner, as well as sample the local restaurants. The children 8 & 12 loved watching the activities on the river including the swans, park close by to kick a ball. Owner responses right on.

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FAQs

Is parking included with this house?

Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Thames river location & direct access! Unique home, amazing Windsor Castle views. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Thames river location & direct access! Unique home, amazing Windsor Castle views pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Thames river location & direct access! Unique home, amazing Windsor Castle views?

We found 2 amenities for this rental. This includes non-smoking, and no pets allowed.