to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Few attractions capture grandeur quite like Windsor Castle. As the world's oldest and largest occupied castle, it is one of the UK's most iconic landmarks. This summer, however, there are even more reasons to add a visit to your itinerary.
From exploring a newly redesigned royal garden to climbing the famous Round Tower, here are our top reasons why Windsor Castle should be on your summer must-visit list.
Venus Garden © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust. Photographer: John Cairns.
Discover the New Venus Garden
This summer marks a special moment for visitors, with the opportunity to explore the newly redesigned Venus Garden, sat beneath the famous east side of the Castle.
Formerly known as the East Terrace Garden, this remarkable space has been transformed according to the vision of His Majesty The King. The redesign takes inspiration from the orbit of Venus, whose movement creates a striking petal-shaped pattern when traced over time. This natural geometric form has influenced the layout of the garden's planting schemes, pathways and evergreen hedges, creating an elegant and contemporary interpretation of a historic royal space.
Access to the garden is included in a standard admission ticket. For those interested in gardens, design, heritage and history, the Venus Garden offers a unique and memorable addition to a summer visit.
Available until 13 September 2026.
Read more about the Venus Garden.
Person on Exclusive Guided Tour © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust. Photographer: John Cairns.
Experience an Exclusive Guided Tour After Hours
For those who want to delve deeper into the Castle's story, an Exclusive Guided Tour provides a unique experience beyond a standard visit.
This special tour allows visitors to explore the magnificent State Apartments after the Castle has closed its door to visitors. Led by an expert guide, visitors can discover how Windsor Castle has evolved over nearly 1,000 years and learn about the monarchs who left their mark on this extraordinary building.
You'll hear how William the Conqueror established the original fortress, how Edward III transformed it into a grand stone castle and how Charles II sought to rival the splendour of European royal courts. The tour also explores the contributions of George IV, whose ambitious rebuilding programme helped create the distinctive silhouette of Windsor Castle that visitors recognise today.
These special tours offer a deeper understanding of the Castle's royal heritage while providing a memorable experience for history enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike.
Available until 4 September 2026.
Read more about Exclusive Guided Tours of Windsor Castle
Families activities at Windsor Castle © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust.
Enjoy Family-Friendly Commonwealth Activities
Looking for family activities this summer? Windsor Castle has plenty to keep younger visitors engaged.
To coincide with the summer's Commonwealth Games, families can take part in a programme of Commonwealth-themed activities around the Castle's Learning Centre. Interactive displays, fun challenges and specially designed trails help children learn about the Commonwealth in an entertaining and accessible way.
Available until 30 August 2026.
Read more about Games for the Commonwealth
Royalists and Rebels event © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust.
Meet the Royalists and Rebels of The English Civil War
This living history weekend allows visitors to step into Windsor Castle’s past.
Through tales of Parliamentary takeover, the founding of the New Model Army and imprisoned Royalists, this event will be filled with dynamic displays and fun family activities.
Please note: this event is weather dependent and, for safety reasons, may be withdrawn on either day.
Available 12 and 13 September.
Read more about History Weekends - Royalists and Rebels
Great Kitchen Tour © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust. Photographer: Ian Jones.
Step Behind the Scenes with a Great Kitchen Tour
One of the most fascinating tours available this summer is the opportunity to visit the remarkable Great Kitchen of Windsor Castle.
Dating back to the reign of Edward III, the Great Kitchen is Britain's oldest working kitchen. For over 650 years it has played a central role in royal hospitality, helping to cater for state occasions, official events and royal celebrations.
Accompanied by an expert guide, highlights include viewing the original medieval fireplaces, learning about elaborate royal banquets, and discovering how the kitchen continues to be used for State occasions hosted by His Majesty The King today.
For visitors interested in food, heritage and history, this behind-the-scenes experience provides a different perspective on life inside a working royal residence.
Available until 28 September 2026.
Read more about Windsor Castle and Great Kitchen Tour
Conquer the Tower Tour © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust.
Conquer the Tower
If you're seeking one of the most memorable experiences at Windsor Castle this summer, the Conquer the Tower tour is hard to beat.
Available during August and September, visitors get to climb 200 steps to the summit of the Castle's iconic Round Tower. The reward is spectacular panoramic views across the Windsor parkland, the Thames Valley and London skyline.
Standing more than 65 metres above ground, visitors gain a unique perspective over the Castle's three historic wards. From this elevated position, you can admire St George's Chapel and the vast scale of the Castle's grounds, as well as enjoying incredible views of the Long Walk, the famous tree-lined avenue created during the reign of Charles II.
Along the way, expert guides share stories about the Tower's strategic importance and its role at the heart of one of the world's most famous royal landmarks.
Available until 28 September 2026.
Read more about Windsor Castle and Conquer the Tower Tour
St George's Chapel Archives and Library
Explore Hidden Treasures in the Archives and Library
For visitors with an interest in history, literature and rare collections, the Archives and Library Tour at St George's Chapel provides a compelling opportunity to discover another side of Windsor Castle.
Housed within a 15th-century building in the Lower Ward, the collections contain centuries of historical records, manuscripts and rare books. Some of the documents date back to the 12th century, offering fascinating insights into the long history of St George's Chapel.
Led by professional archivists and librarians, the tour explores how these precious records have been collected, preserved and cared for over hundreds of years. Visitors can learn about medieval book production, historic record keeping and the stories hidden within the archives.
Available 22 August 2026 only.
Please note, only two tours are available, and tickets must be booked in advance here.
Top tips for visiting Windsor Castle
- Book your tickets in advance, to avoid disappointment.
- Get your ticket converted into a one-year pass so you can visit again within 12 months. Speak to a member of staff on the day. Please note that only tickets booked on the Royal Collection Trust website can be converted into a one-year pass.
- Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Advantage Card holders can enjoy access to Windsor Castle at a discounted price of 50% off, with free entry for one child up to the age of 17 per adult Advantage Card holder and on production of the child’s valid card. Plus, all tickets booked under the Advantage Card offer are eligible for conversion into a one-year pass.
If you're planning a summer day out, weekend escape or short break, make sure Windsor Castle is at the top of your itinerary.
Related
Visit the Venus Garden, a new royal garden at Windsor Castle this summer! Starting from 16 July, visitors to Windsor Castle can explore a magnificent, newly designed royal garden located beneath the Castle's iconic east façade.
No trip to Windsor could possibly be complete without a visit to amazing Windsor Castle, the family home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years and today one of the official residences of His Majesty The King. Find out more!
To mark this summer of Commonwealth sport, families can enjoy Commonwealth themed activities in and around The Castle's Learning Centre as well as take part in an interactive trail.
Go back in time to the English Civil War to see the Parliamentarian Garrison of Windsor Castle!
Step behind the scenes at Windsor Castle this summer and explore the remarkable Great Kitchen on a special guided tour, offering a unique glimpse into life at a working royal residence.
Ready for a challenge? This August and September, climb to the top of Windsor Castle's iconic Round Tower and be rewarded with spectacular views stretching for miles.
Explore the collection of manuscripts and rare books at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and learn about their history.
A café quite unlike any other, the Undercroft is on the ground floor of Windsor Castle underneath St George’s Hall. It’s one of the oldest surviving spaces in the 1,000-year-old Castle, dating back to Edward III’s major renovations during the 1350s and 1360s.
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