Windsor Castle

Type:Castle / Fort

Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1NJ

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Windsor Castle's Round Tower (daytime) – photographer: John Freeman, Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

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About

Windsor Castle is open to the public five days a week, remaining closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Tickets must be booked in advance.  Tickets for Royal Borough Advantage Card holders are available on the day (subject to availability) or can be prebooked by telephone only (transaction fee payable).  Visit Windsor Castle's Practical Information page to find out more.


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.

The size of the Castle (over 10.5 hectares) is breathtaking, in fact it is the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world.

Windsor Castle offers something for everyone, and with so many areas to explore please allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours to see it all.

What to see and do at Windsor Castle (all included in your ticket price)

Visit the magnificent State Apartments to see ceremonial rooms that are used today by the Royal Family for official visits by Heads of State from other countries, investitures, and awards ceremonies, where British men and women are recognised for their achievements. 

You will also be able to explore historic rooms, built for Charles II and his Queen, Catherine of Braganza, which follow the pattern established in English palaces over hundreds of years; a series of rooms getting smaller as they get closer to the most private spaces.

The State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Holbein, Van Dyck and Rubens.

Take in the splendour of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, the burial place of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II, Henry VIII and Charles I and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. St George’s Chapel will continue to be included as part of a ticketed visit to Windsor Castle.  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.

Imagine being entertained by royalty in the Semi-State Rooms, the spectacular private apartments open to visitors during the winter months.  Richly decorated, they served as the private rooms of George IV in the 19th century. The additional five rooms that make up the Semi-State Rooms are included in the visitor route from 24 November 2022 to 26 March 2023.  Please note that the Semi-State Rooms are closed when the State Apartments are closed.

Stand to attention whilst watching the Changing of the Guard!  A colourful spectacle of British Pageantry (see below for schedule).

Top Tips for visiting Windsor Castle

  • Tickets must be booked in advance as a timed tickets system is in operation in order to manage visitor numbers.
  • Tickets booked on the Royal Collection Trust website can be converted into a one-year pass so you can visit again within 12 months. Please speak with a member of staff on the day to have your tickets stamped.  More information here.
  • Windsor Castle is a working palace and can close fully or partly at short notice for any reason; always check the provisional closure dates on a regular basis.
  • Check which flag is flying from Windsor Castle’s round tower – if it’s the Royal Standard then The King is in residence when you’re visiting.
  • Consider the winter months as a great time to visit; you’ll see the Semi-State Rooms at no extra charge and the State Apartments are beautifully decorated for Christmas.
  • Visit the Moat Room display which explores Windsor Castle’s 1000-year history, from simple fort to one of the greatest medieval palaces in Europe. One length of the Moat Room features a timeline illustrated with reigning kings and queens.
  • If the State Apartments are busy on the day you visit, why not explore beautiful St George’s Chapel first?  The chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays (but open to worshippers).
  • Visiting with children? You’ll find a whole range of family activities taking place each month at Windsor Castle.
  • Don’t forget to pick up a multimedia guide to help you get the most out of your visit to Windsor Castle – it's available in many different languages and there’s a family tour too, led by Scorch the dragon!
  • Look out for special tours throughout the year including private evening ‘behind the ropes’ tours (these must be booked in advance).
  • For ease, you can also book your Windsor Castle tickets alongside your accommodation, from one of our RBWM Concierge Service Partners. They have a wealth of knowledge about the local area and have access to a variety of other tickets for other attractions and events too, so why not let them assist you in planning the perfect stay?

Windsor Castle history

Windsor Castle as it appears today is the result of almost a thousand years of development but four monarchs in particular have left their mark: William the Conqueror, who founded the castle and established its outline plan and extent; Edward III (r.1327-77), who rebuilt it in a magnificent Gothic style and established the royal apartments in the Upper Ward; Charles II (r.1660-85), who transformed the Upper Ward of the medieval castle into a baroque palace; and George IV (r. 1820-30) who restored the exterior to conform with romantic ideals of castle architecture and created sumptuous and richly furnished palace interiors within the ancient fabric of the building.

Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle

The privilege of guarding the Sovereign has been carried out since 1660. Weather permitting, the ceremony begins at 11am and lasts approximately 30 minutes.  Please check the Royal Collection Trust website for latest information.  There is a link to the British Army website from here too with confirmation of the full schedule.

Family activities at Windsor Castle

• Free family multimedia tour (for children aged 7-11)
• Free family Activity Trail
• Family Saturdays and school holiday events and activities.

Windsor Castle offers an exciting family programme every Saturday throughout the year, linked to the amazing history of the Castle, the magnificent art on display and the royal residents past and present who have lived here.

The programme includes storytelling and dressing up in replica historic costume and armour, and art and craft workshops where families can get creative together.

Undercroft Café

The first café for visitors to Windsor Castle is located in Edward III’s medieval Undercroft, which for centuries served as the Castle’s main wine cellar and is one of the oldest surviving spaces in the 1,000-year-old royal residence.

Visitors can enjoy freshly prepared meals, including sandwiches, wraps and salads, served alongside an exclusive selection of teas. Sweet treats range from vanilla mille-feuille and vegan chocolate cake to fruit scones and Victoria sponge. During the summer, the Café serves ice cream produced using milk from the Jersey herd at the Royal Farms, Windsor.

The Undercroft is on the ground floor of the Castle beneath St George’s Hall, where State Banquets take place, and dates back to Edward III’s major renovations during the 1350s and 1360s. 

Opening arrangements for Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is a working royal palace so opening arrangements may change at short notice. 

The Castle will be completely closed on the following dates in 2023: 12-16 January, 7 April, 6 May, 25-26 December.

Access to Queen Mary's Dolls' House and St George's Chapel may be limited on busy days.

To avoid the disappointment of finding part or all of Windsor Castle closed, please check before planning a visit by checking the Provisional Closure Dates by visiting https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle or by telephoning the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)30 3123 7304.

St George's Chapel closes at 16:00, although visitors are welcome to attend the Evensong service at 17:15.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE CLOSES 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES AFTER LAST ENTRY TIME SHOWN UNDER OPENING TIMES.

Attending a service in St George's Chapel

St George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays as services are held throughout the day. Visitors to the Castle on Sundays will not be able to enter the chapel or view the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II.  Access to St George’s Chapel may be limited on busy days.  Worshippers are welcome to attend the services which include Holy Communion, Mattins and Sermon, Sung Eucharist and Evensong.  You can find out more about attending a service at St George's Chapel by visiting the St George's Chapel Diary.

Special tours for pre-booked groups at Windsor Castle

There is a range of tours available for pre-booked groups to Windsor Castle including ‘behind-the-ropes’ private evening tours of the State Apartments and themed talks such as ‘Royal Weddings at Windsor’ and ‘Restoring Windsor: The Castle after the fire’.  Find out more by contacting the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on +44 (0)30 3123 7322.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult (in advance)£28.00 per ticket
Adult (on the day)£30.00 per ticket
Child 5-17 / Disabled (in advance)£15.50 per ticket
Child 5-17 / Disabled (on the day)£16.50 per ticket
Under 5Free
Young Person 18-24 (in advance)£18.00 per ticket
Young Person 18-24 (on the day)£19.50 per ticket

Families visiting Windsor Castle can save up to £21.00 when booking with Windsor Castle directly.

The family discount is automatically applied at checkout to bookings of at least 1 adult and 2 children, up to 2 Adults and 4 children.

Groups: Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount on ticket prices shown above.

Events

Saturday, 1st April 2023 - Saturday, 1st April 2023

St George's Chapel book roomTour of Rare Book LibraryJoin a tour of the collection of Medieval and Early-Modern rare books at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and learn about the library's history.
more info

Saturday, 1st April 2023 - Sunday, 16th April 2023

Pug Yard Learning Centre, Windsor CastleCrowns and Coronations at the CastleThis Easter, as we look forward to the Coronation of King Charles III, we'll have some fun making crowns and creating Coronation-themed crafts.
more info

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Facilities

Accessibility

  • Accessible Lift - gives access to State Apartments and Semi-State Rooms.
  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
  • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - Induction loop on audio tour.
  • Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors
  • Facility for service dogs - water available on request
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors
  • Wheelchair user accessible

Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages

  • French audio guide
  • German audio guide
  • Italian audio guide
  • Japanese audio guide
  • Mandarin audio guide
  • Portuguese audio guide - Brazilian Portuguese
  • Russian audio guide
  • Spanish audio guide

Catering

  • Cafe
  • On-Site cafe/restaurant - Undercroft Café serving freshly prepared meals, including sandwiches, wraps, salads and sweet treats and an exclusive selection of teas
  • Refreshments Available
  • Vegetarians catered for

Children & Infants

  • Family Friendly, Children Welcome

COVID-19 Response

  • Capacity limit - Visitors must book tickets in advance through www.rct.uk/tickets as capacities will be limited. Face coverings are encouraged but not required inside the official royal residences, galleries, and shops
  • Hand sanitizer available to visitors & staff - Hand sanitiser stations along the visitor routes
  • Online booking possible

Establishment Features

  • Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages
  • Gift shop - Step into the Windsor Castle shops and experience a world of exclusive gifts and royal souvenirs, including commemorative chinaware, glittering jewellery, sumptuous homeware, delicious food and drink and charming gifts for children.
  • Printed Material in Foreign Languages
  • Toilets

Parking & Transport

  • Green Transport - Green Line from London. Buses and coaches from Slough, Staines, Heathrow and Bracknell.
  • Parking (charge) - No car parking on site but follow the signs for LONG STAY PARKING in Windsor town centre; these car parks are better value if you are visiting the castle.

Payment Methods

  • American Express accepted
  • Approx length of visit - A typical visit lasts between 2 and 3 hours.
  • Blue Badge Guides admitted free
  • Delta accepted
  • Groups Accepted - Only Blue Bage Guides accredited to Windsor Castle are permitted to guide within the precincts of the Castle.
  • Maestro Accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Max group size - 9999
  • Min group size - 15
  • Special group rates - Reduced admission charges apply to groups of 15 or more visitors
  • Sterling Travellers Cheques accepted
  • Visa accepted

Printed Material in Foreign Languages

  • French printed material
  • German printed material
  • Italian printed material
  • Japanese printed material
  • Mandarin printed material
  • Portuguese printed material - Brazilian Portuguese
  • Russian printed material
  • Spanish printed material

Provider Preferences

  • In town/city centre
  • No Smoking Attraction

Specialist Features

  • Family Fun - In addition to trails and a children's audio guide we now offer an exciting family programme every Saturday throughout the year, linked to the amazing history of Windsor Castle, the magnificent art works on display and the royal residents past and present who have lived here.

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups
  • Guided Tours Available for Individuals

Travel & Trade

  • Group discounts available

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
  • Travelers Choice 2022
  • Excellent
    9656
  • Very Good
    3120
  • Average
    645
  • Poor
    190
  • Terrible
    121

Recent Reviews:

  • Brosfan19
    Bristol, England, United Kingdom
    Trip Type:
    Couples
    Excellent visit
    5 of 5 stars
    Tuesday, 7th March 2023
    Really enjoyed our visit to Windsor castle. We were here on a damp March weekday so it wasn't too busy. Entry was an airport style security check - but was well organised and queue moved quickly... Read full review
  • Bertboynton
    Trip Type:
    Couples
    Top disabled service
    5 of 5 stars
    Thursday, 9th March 2023
    Visited today with my disabled partner, the staff were fantastic helping us at every stage of the visit even calling ahead so someone was waiting for us. Even saw some places no-one else gets to see... Read full review
  • jacquelinee930
    Trip Type:
    Couples
    History .
    5 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 19th March 2023
    The Castle is sumptuous and full of interesting bits and pieces with history in spades. Everything you would expect from a royal residence. However, I cannot praise highly enough the people working... Read full review

Map & Directions

Awards

  • Regional and Miscellaneous -WTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

Opening Times

Open New Year
Open March to October (1 Mar 2023 - 31 Oct 2023)
DayTimes
Monday10:00 - 17:15
Tuesday - WednesdayClosed
Thursday - Sunday10:00 - 17:15
Open November to February (1 Nov 2023 - 28 Feb 2024)
DayTimes
Monday10:00 - 16:15
Tuesday - WednesdayClosed
Thursday - Sunday10:00 - 16:15

* Last admission 75 minutes before closing. Please check the 'provisional closure' dates listed on the Royal Collection website.

Castle completely closed: 12 – 16 January 2023, 7 April 2023, 6 May 2023, 25 – 26 December 2023.

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