Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years.

The Castle covers an area of about 5 hectares (13 acres) and contains

• Magnificent State Apartments furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection
• St George's Chapel (one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England and the burial place of 10 monarchs)
• Queen Mary's Dolls House, a masterpiece in miniature
• The Drawings Gallery featuring an exhibition (see below for current display).

During the winter months an additional five rooms, known collectively as the Semi-State Rooms, are included in the visitor route. Standard admission charges apply. The Semi-State Rooms are open to the public until 1 April 2012.

THE DRAWINGS GALLERY EXHIBITION

"The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years"
4 February to 28 October 2012
Sixty photographs of The Queen, including the work of leading press photographers of the past six decades, will go on display at Windsor Castle to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee. The exhibition presents a portrait of The Queen's reign as captured in fleeting moments on both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings. With the advent of photography, the boundaries between the officially approved and the spontaneously captured image of the monarch were irreversibly blurred. Today, through the reach of modern media, the image of Her Majesty is familiar to millions around the world. Most of the exhibition The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years has been selected from photographs submitted by the Royal Rota press organisations.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD (weather permitting)

JANUARY 2012: Odd numbered days excluding Sundays (there will be no guard change on 1 January 2012). Weather permitting.
FEBRUARY 2012 - even numbered dates excluding Sundays (for example, 2, 4, 6)
MARCH 2012 - even numbered dates excluding Sundays (for example, 2, 6, 8)
APRIL 2012 - daily excluding Sundays (except 6 and 8 April)

CONQUER THE TOWER TOURS AND TOURS TO THE GREAT KITCHEN will be offered at the Castle from 4th June 2012, on selected dates for the remainder of June and on selected dates throughout July; then on a daily basis from 1 August to 30 September.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE CLOSES 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES AFTER LAST ENTRY TIME SHOWN BELOW:
March to October 09:45-17:15 (last admission 16:00), November to February 09:45-16:15 (last admission 15:00).

As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, opening arrangements may change at short notice. Please check before planning a visit. Please note, worshippers are welcome to attend the Sunday services at St George's Chapel but the chapel is closed to general visitors on Sundays.

PROVISIONAL CLOSURE DATES 2012

22 February 2012: St George's Chapel closed until 10.30am.

2 March 2012: State Apartments closed.
30 March 2012: CASTLE CLOSED

3 April 2012: State Apartments closed.
6 April 2012: Admission to the Castle Precincts only. St George's Chapel will be open between 2pm and 4pm in addition to services. ALL OTHER AREAS CLOSED.
7 April 2012: St George's Chapel closed until 11am.
8 April 2012: Castle closed until 1pm.

5 May 2012: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm.

15-18 June 2012: St George's Chapel closed.
16-19 June 2012: State Apartments closed.
18 June 2012: CASTLE CLOSED

6 July 2012: St George's Chapel closed until 10.30am.
19 July 2012: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm.

14 November 2012: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm.

14 December 2012: St George's Chapel closed until 10.30am.
24 December 2012: St George's Chapel closed (other than to worshippers attending services).
25-26 December 2012: CASTLE CLOSED (St George's Chapel open to worshippers).

SPECIAL TOURS FOR PRE-BOOKED GROUPS:
From Great Kitchen to State Apartments - An introduction to the history of royal dining, past and present followed by a guided visit to the Great Kitchen and medieval Undercroft, neither of which are normally open to the public.

This tour is available to pre-booked groups on selected dates throughout 2012 ONLY by appointment with the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

Private Evening Tours - In the company of an expert guide, guests will enjoy an exclusive 'behind-the-ropes' experience in the magnificent State Apartments. The tour ends with a glass of Champagne.

This tour is available to PRE-BOOKED groups on selected dates throughout 2012 ONLY by appointment with the Ticket and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

Exhibition Talk - The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years - the tour begins in the Castle's Winchester Tower with refreshments and an introduction to the special exhibition in the Drawings Gallery to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.

This tour is available to pre-booked groups on selected dates throughout 2012 only by appointment with the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.