Windsor Castle

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.

The size of the Castle (5 hectares/13 acres) is breath taking, in fact it is the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world and it’s where Her Majesty The Queen chooses to spend most of her private weekends..

You might even time your visit when she is in residence! Look at the flag flying from the Castle’s Round Tower; if it’s the Royal Standard The Queen will be there too.

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.

From November, work to enlarge and reconfigure the Windsor Castle Admissions Centre will begin. The changes will create a faster and more efficient entrance for our visitors, as well as a new view of the Castle for all to enjoy at the start of their visit. The works are being carefully phased, and the Admissions Centre will remain fully operational throughout.

This is just one of the exciting projects being carried out as part of Royal Collection Trust's £27 million investment in the visitor experience at Windsor Castle. We'll keep you up-to-date with progress as we receive it.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO (all included in your ticket price):

Visit the magnificent State Apartments furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.

Take in the splendour of St George's Chapel, the burial place of 10 monarchs including Henry VIII and Charles I, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. 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.

Be amazed at Queen Mary's Dolls’ House, the largest, most beautiful and most famous dolls’ house in the world, created in the 1920s and filled with thousands of objects made by leading craftsmen, artists and designers of the time.

Join a free Precinct Tour with one of the Castle’s wardens when you first arrive and get the most out of your visit to Windsor Castle.

Imagine being entertained by royalty in the Semi-State Rooms, the spectacular private apartments open to visitors in the winter months. Richly decorated, they are used by The Queen for hosting her guests. The additional five rooms that make up the Semi-State Rooms will close to the public on Sunday, 25 March 2018.

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

TOP TIP

With so much to see and do in Windsor Castle, visitors wishing to leave the Castle for refreshments and shopping in the town centre may obtain re-entry permits from the Castle shops or the audio return point.

CHANGING THE GUARD

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.

October 2017: guard mounting will take place, weather permitting, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
November 2017: guard mounting will take place, weather permitting, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
December 2017: guard mounting will take place, weather permitting, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 22 December then on 27, 29 and 31 December.

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.

Family Activities: The Big Draw at Windsor Castle will take place every Saturday in October and during the half term holidays from 11:00-16:00.  This October, families are invited to take part in the world's biggest festival of art and drawing at Windsor Castle.  This year is the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the State Apartments, after the devastating fire that broke out at Windsor in 1992.  The Big Draw activities will be a celebration of the incredible craftsmanship that allowed countless rooms to be restored to their former glory.

On Monday 23, Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 October, a local artist will be introducing families to new techniques and tricks of the trade, proving that everyone can have fun with art.

For more details and a full list of family activities visit https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/whatson/windsorcastle?type=2187

ADULT LEARNING

There is more to Windsor Castle than just a visit! Find out more about Royal Collection Trust's Adult Study Days and Lectures. http://view.digipage.net/00000959/00020677/00093726/
 

OPENING ARRANGEMENTS

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

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 below, by visiting http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/plan-your-visit or by telephoning the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)30 3123 7304.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE CLOSES 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES AFTER LAST ENTRY TIME SHOWN BELOW:

March to October 09:30-17:15 (last admission 16:00), November to February 09:45-16:15 (last admission 15:00).

PROVISIONAL CLOSURE DATES 2017

DECEMBER

8 State Apartments closed

23 St George’s Chapel closes at 13:00

24 St George's Chapel closed to visitors but open for services

25-26 CASTLE CLOSED (St George's Chapel open for services)

SPECIAL TOURS FOR PRE-BOOKED GROUPS

Download the Group Visits and Private Tours 2017 Brochure.

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.

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.

Restoring Windsor: The Castle after the fire – This special visit begins in the Castle's Winchester Tower with refreshments and an expert talk recounting the dramatic story of the battle to stop the flames and save irreplaceable works of art from the Royal Collection.  The visit continues with a self-guided multimedia tour around the State Apartments.

The Military Knights’ Tale – This tour offers a personal insight into the ancient and noble institution of the Military Knights of Windsor presented by a serving Military Knight.  

The above tours are available to pre-booked groups on selected dates only by appointment with the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on +44 (0)30 3123 7321.