Welcome to Sir Christopher Wren’s
A truly special hotel at the heart of Royal Windsor
A superb location. Individual charm. First class service and attention to detail. Sir Christopher Wren’s House has all this, and more.
Sheltering beneath the ramparts of Windsor Castle, the hotel enjoys a spectacular setting, overlooking the River Thames at
Eton Bridge.
Rumoured to have been the family home of the famous British architect Sir Christopher Wren, the main house holds a unique place in British
heritage – and over the years, it has been meticulously restored to offer guests the highest levels of comfort and service.
Today, Sir Christopher Wren’s offers 96 traditional and contemporary rooms, award-winning dining, and a modern gym and spa,
as well as outstanding facilities for weddings, conferences and other events.
So, if you’re looking for a first-class hotel experience, either for business or pleasure, you’re sure to find it at Wren’s.
A brief history
Sir Christopher Wren was a hugely successful architect in the 17th and 18th centuries, and was involved in projects as diverse as the new dome at St Paul’s Cathedral, over 50 churches, and the Royal Observatory.
He had strong connections with Windsor and there are examples of his work locally, the nearest of which is the Windsor Town Hall, or Guild Hall as it is now known opposite Windsor Castle. This was one of the few architectural projects undertaken by Sir Christopher Wren outside London, whose original designer Sir Thomas Fitz died soon after the foundation stone was laid in September 1687. Wren took over the project and saw it through to completion in October 1689.
His father was also the Dean of Windsor from 1635 to 1658, so this coupled with his professional connections later in his life was probably how the local folk law and myth of Sir Christopher Wren's House started, although there is very little actually known about Wrens life in Windsor.
In the 1920s, it opened as Riverholme Restaurant and Guest House, its first incarnation as a hotel. Over the next 20 years
or so, it was refurbished and sold many times – and around 1950, its then owner James Mier built a second floor and a new wing,
overlooking the Thames at Eton Bridge, increasing the number of rooms to 49. At the same time, Sir Christopher Wren’s House was
registered as a Grade II* listed building of historical and architectural interest.
Goran Strok (Wren’s Hotel Group) purchased the building in 1996 and immediately set about a £4 million refurbishment programme, taking
great care to preserve the building’s historic features. By winter 1997, restoration and refurbishment was complete, and the
hotel opened under its present name and management. The hotel today continues to evolve and improve with many exciting
projects on the horizon, please take a moment to see our "New projects & plans".