ucking into pan-seared king prawns and sipping a spiced mojito, I wondered if the Queen ever orders a curry while staying at Windsor Castle.

If so, she need look no further than the Mango Lounge. Opposite the castle, on Windsor High Street, the stylish restaurant with blood-red walls offers a dazzling fusion of contemporary Indian and Thai dishes.

My indulgences included rice-crusted tiger prawn in a shot glass with three chutneys and a dash of martini; scallops on a green pea mash, and coconut and lime brule. Delicious!

Next morning, we began our weekend away in earnest, heading for Windsor Castle, where the changing of the Guard was under way.

Built by William the Conqueror, the world’s largest inhabited castle covers 13 acres and has been enlarged by various monarchs over the centuries. After the 1992 fire, the interior of historic St George’s Hall and Lantern Lobby were restored.

We took in some of the Royal Collection’s finest works of art and marvelled at George IV’s magnificent private apartments, the breathtaking beauty of St George’s Chapel, built in 1475 by Edward IV, and the gorgeous Albert Memorial Chapel, converted by Queen Victoria as a memorial to her husband. A highlight was Queen Mary’s Dolls House, a masterpiece in miniature. Created in 1923, it’s exquisitely furnished, complete with working lifts, running water and electricity. The library is stocked with tiny books written by authors such as JM Barrie and Rudyard Kipling, bottles in the wine cellar are filled with real wine, and a gramophone plays real records! I loved it.

Next, we browsed around Windsor’s pretty shops, nestled on cobbled streets, and a smart pedestrianised area comprising High Street chains, designer outlets, souvenir shops and Windsor Royal Shopping, based in a refurbished Victorian railway station.

An open-top bus took us on a tour of Windsor and neighbouring Eton, where quaint old shops sold antiques, artworks and fine foods, and then there were the bespoke school tailors. Watching Eton’s schoolboys glide by was like watching a scene from a Harry Potter movie.

Back in Windsor, we headed for afternoon tea at the Crooked House, a wonky 16th century timber-framed structure where a secret basement passage was used for illicit trysts between Charles I and Nell Gwynn, and delivering food from the market to the castle kitchens. A short stroll from town is the Royal Adelaide Hotel, where we stayed. An elegant Georgian hotel, it stands opposite Windsor Great Park. Dining in the Long Walk Brasserie, the hotel’s relaxed restaurant with a fresh, seasonal menu, I enjoyed green pea and bell pepper risotto followed by Eton Mess. With Eton a stone’s throw away, it seemed fitting!

Next morning, we took a boat trip along the Thames. Run by French Brothers, the 40-minute cruise took in splendid views of Windsor Castle, Royal Windsor Racecourse and Eton College, The view of the castle from the river is one of the best there is. The French Brothers run Thames trips from Runnymede, Maidenhead and Henley, and specialities include jazz, steamboat and Sunday lunch cruises.

Boating along the river is a lovely way to take in the beauty of the Royal Borough of Windsor, the backdrop for many films including The Madness Of King George and Chariots Of Fire.

We ended our break with a stroll along the Windsor Long Walk, a three-mile path from Windsor Castle to the 1829 Copper Horse statue of King George III at Snow Hill. We didn’t make it to the statue as we ran out of time, but, walking a couple of miles south from the castle, we had impressive views.

Behind trees was the white-domed roof of the Frogmore Mausoleum, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are buried.

Surrounding Frogmore House is Savill Garden; spanning 35 acres, it boasts contemporary and classically-designed ornamental gardens, and is regarded as one of the world’s best temperate woodland gardens.

Leaving the park, we kept our eyes peeled for a woman in a headscarf and green Barbour trotting through the trees on her horse. If the Queen was around, she was keeping her distance – but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to her weekend home.

Factfile * Emma Clayton travelled by train from Bradford Interchange to Kings Cross, changing at Waterloo for Windsor and Eton Riverside station.

* She stayed at the Royal Adelaide Hotel, King’s Road, Windsor. Tel. (01753) 863916, or visit theroyaladelaide.com.

* For more about Windsor Castle, ring (0207) 7667304, or visit royalcollection.org.uk.

* For more about the Royal Borough, visit windsor.gov.uk.