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How Headout makes choosing experiences effortless

We curate the best ways to experience

We research and organise all unique experiences - from tickets to tours to special combos - so you get all the choices without the clutter.

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We curate the best ways to experience
We partner with the best
All the best options, in one place
Book with complete peace of mind

Quick overview

  • Ways to explore: Choose between standard self-guided tickets, half-day coach/train tours, or full-day multi-site regional trips.
  • Unique experiences: Combine Windsor Castle with iconic English landmarks like Stonehenge, Oxford, or Bath on curated full-day excursions.
  • Queues & access: Expect a mandatory airport-style security check taking 10–30 minutes; standard entry queues cannot be bypassed.
  • When to book: Book 1–2 weeks ahead for weekends, as the castle is strictly closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • Good to know: Tickets are valid only for your timed slot, but offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit.
  • Best upgrade: The Windsor Castle half-day tour provides the smartest balance of seamless round-trip transport and independent exploring.

Which Windsor Castle ticket is best for you?

Ticket typeEntrance usedSecurityIncludesGuideWhy pick thisCancellation policyPrice from
Standard entry

Main Gate

Mandatory (10–30 mins)

State Apartments, St George's Chapel, Dolls' House

Audio

• Cheapest entry • Fully self-paced

Free cancel 24h

£32

Half-day tour

Main Gate

Mandatory (10–30 mins)

Entry ticket + round-trip London coach/train

Audio

• Transfers included • Saves travel planning

Free cancel 24h

£57

Combo day trip

Main Gate

Mandatory (10–30 mins)

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Oxford/Bath entries

Live guide

• Flexible transport • Covers 10 local sights

Free cancel 24h

£81.88

Windsor Hop-on Hop-off bus

-

Mandatory (at Castle)

24h unlimited Windsor bus tour

Audio

• Covers 3 icons • Maximizes a single day

Free cancel 24h

£20

What to expect at Windsor Castle

Visitors at Windsor Castle entrance, one taking a photo.
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Enter through historic royal gates

Step onto the castle precinct where stone battlements rise against the Berkshire skyline. You immediately feel the scale of the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, a working palace that has housed 40 British monarchs over a millennium.

About Windsor Castle

Walk through the grand State Apartments

Explore the palace interiors at a self-guided pace with your included multimedia guide. You wander through ceremonial rooms lined with intricate wood paneling, historic portraits, and masterpieces by Rubens and Van Dyck from the Royal Collection.

Explore the royal rooms

See a miniature masterpiece and seasonal rooms

Discover the highly detailed Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, featuring working lifts and running water. If visiting between September and March, standard entry also grants access to George IV's lavishly decorated, gilded Semi-State Rooms.

Take a closer look

Visit the historic St. George’s Chapel

Step into the quiet, light-filled nave of this masterpiece of English Gothic architecture. Walk along the final resting place of 11 monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, and stand beneath the intricate stone vaulting that hosted recent royal weddings.

Step into the Gothic marvel

Witness the vibrant Changing the Guard

Time your visit for Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday mornings to watch the colorful military ceremony. Watch the guards in traditional red tunics and bearskin caps march through the lower ward to the sound of a live regimental band.

More about the tradition

Extend your journey across the English countryside

Upgrade to a full-day coach tour to pair your royal visit with other landmarks. You can smoothly combine Windsor Castle with the prehistoric stone circle of Stonehenge, the historic streets of Oxford, or the Roman baths in Bath.

Things to know before booking Windsor Castle tickets

  • Booking window: While standard self-guided tickets can sometimes be bought on the day, weekends and summer slots sell out quickly. Book online at least 1–2 weeks in advance to secure your preferred timed entry, especially since the castle is strictly closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • Entry queues: There is no option to bypass security. Every visitor must pass through a mandatory, airport-style security check at the main entrance, which typically takes 10–30 minutes. Booking online allows you to skip the ticket-purchase line and head directly to the security queue.
  • What’s included: A standard ticket grants entry to the castle precincts, the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and St. George’s Chapel. Note that the lavish Semi-State Rooms are an added bonus, only open to winter visitors from September to March.
  • Ways to explore: Standard entry includes a multimedia guide available in multiple languages, making it the most affordable choice for self-paced visitors. If you want expert historical context without navigating on your own, upgrade to a tour led by a certified Blue Badge guide.
  • Transport upgrades: Driving to Windsor and finding parking can be stressful and expensive. If you are staying in London, booking a Windsor Castle half-day tour removes all transit logistics with seamless round-trip travel.
  • Combo regional trips: If you want to maximise a single day outside London, standard tickets won't suffice. Instead, choose a full-day excursion that bundles your castle entry with regional highlights like the ancient monoliths of Stonehenge, the city of Bath, or the academic halls of Oxford.
  • Closures & constraints: St. George’s Chapel is a working place of worship and is always closed to sightseers on Sundays. If walking through the chapel is a priority, ensure you book a Monday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday slot.
  • Policies & accessibility: Windsor Castle sits atop a steep hill, and the historic brick pathways can be uneven. While the site is largely accessible and provides a limited number of wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis, the steep incline requires a reasonable level of mobility.

Explore Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle interior with ornate paintings and chandelier.
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State Apartments

Location: Upper Ward

Gaze at gilded ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and historic portraits. These grand ceremonial rooms showcase masterpieces by Rembrandt and Rubens, framing centuries of British royal history and lavish entertaining.

Access: Yes (Included with all standard entry tickets)

See the royal bedwooms

St. George’s Chapel

Location: Lower Ward

Step beneath the intricate stone vaulting of this English Gothic masterpiece. It serves as a royal wedding venue and the final resting place for 11 monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II.

Access: Yes (Included with all standard tickets; closed on Sundays)

Visit Queen Elizabeth II's final resting place

Queen Mary's Dolls' House

Location: Inside the State Apartments

Marvel at the world’s most famous miniature palace, built precisely to a 1:12 scale. It features working lifts, running water, and tiny, real leather-bound books in the library.

Access: Yes (Included with all standard entry tickets)

See the fully-fully-functioning dolls' house

Semi-State Rooms

Location: Upper Ward

Walk through George IV's private apartments, decorated in hyper-detailed Gothic and Rococo styles. These richly gilded spaces showcase the peak of 19th-century royal opulence and design.

Access: Yes (Seasonal access; open from September to March only)

Waterloo Chamber

Location: Upper Ward

Stand inside a vast gallery built to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon. The walls are completely lined with portraits of the allied monarchs and military commanders who shaped Europe's history.

Access: Yes (Included with all standard entry tickets)

Explore the artworks inside

Changing the Guard

Location: Castle Precincts/Lower Ward

Watch the traditional military ceremony unfold as guards march to live regimental music. The sharp choreography and iconic red tunics present a living snapshot of British pageantry.

Access: Yes (Included with all standard tickets; takes place on select mornings)

What you should expect

Round Tower

Location: Castle Center

Look up at the dominant, circular stone fortress perched at the heart of the estate. While it houses centuries of royal secrets within the Royal Archives, it serves as a historic architectural anchor.

Access: No (Exterior viewing only; archives are closed to the public)

China Museum

Location: Castle precincts

Browse an exquisite collection of rare porcelain and fine ceramics from China, Japan, and Europe. Curated by Queen Mary in the 1920s, these pieces offer an intimate, highly refined contrast to the grand halls.

Access: Yes (Included with all standard entry tickets)

Your Windsor Castle guide

windsor route map 2

Plan your visit to Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle opening hours

  • November 1 to February 28: Open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4:15pm. Last admission is at 3pm.
  • March 1 to October 31: Open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5:15pm. Last admission is at 4pm.

St George's Chapel opening hours

  • Open to visitors: Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

Note:

  • The last entry to Windsor Castle is 1 hour 15 minutes before closing time.
  • St George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays due to services held throughout the day.
  • Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

​Windsor Castle timings

Seasonal: Windsor is pleasant to visit throughout the year, but the best time is during spring (March to May) when the gardens and grounds are at their most vibrant.

Best time of day: Windsor Castle is generally quieter on Mondays and Thursdays. Weekends tend to be busier, so if possible, visit after 1pm.

Events: Weekends often feature History Weekends talks, while the Glorious Gardens event runs throughout the summer holidays and is worth planning around.

Changing the Guard: The Changing the Guard ceremony is a highlight and should not be missed. Check the schedule and arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

​Plan your visit

Address: Windsor SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom | Find on Maps

  • By bus: Green Line 702 or 703 from London Victoria Coach Station
    Nearest stop: Parish Church (Stop J)
  • By train: South Western Railway from London Waterloo or Great Western Railway from London Paddington
    Nearest station: Windsor & Eton Riverside (5-min walk) or Windsor & Eton Central (5-min walk)
  • By car: Via M4 motorway, Exit 6 for Windsor
    Nearest parking: Windsor Yards Car Park or River Street Car Park
  • By guided tour: Evan Evans Tours
    Nearest stop: Windsor Castle

​Getting to Windsor Castle

  • Audio tours: The Castle’s Admission Centre offers an audio descriptive tour in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish, designed specifically for blind or partially sighted visitors.
  • Restrooms: Toilets are available on the North Terrace, before the entrance to the State Apartments, and next to the Undercroft Café.
  • Baby changing facilities: Baby changing areas and baby-care facilities are located on the North Terrace, before the entrance to the State Apartments, and next to the Undercroft Café.
  • Cloakroom: A secure cloakroom is available in the China Museum, at the entrance to the State Apartments.
  • Undercroft Cafe: The Undercroft Café at Windsor Castle offers a selection of food and drinks, including fresh salads, homemade soups, baguettes, open sandwiches, and wraps, providing a convenient spot to relax and refresh during your visit.

​Plan your visit

  • Accessibility: Complimentary manual wheelchairs, step-free access, mobility scooters and rollators are available to guests with mobility difficulties.
  • Tickets: Discounted rates are offered for guests with disabilities, and a free companion ticket is provided for a person accompanying them.
  • Toilets: Accessible toilets are conveniently located on the North Terrace and off the Inner Hall.
  • Guide dogs: Registered assistance dogs are welcome throughout the castle, including most public areas.
  • Multimedia guide: A multimedia guide with subtitles in British Sign Language is available to ensure a fully inclusive experience.
  • Induction loops: Induction loops are provided at ticket sales desks, shop till counters, and the audio tour collection point to assist visitors with hearing impairments.

​Plan your visit

  • Photography: Photography and filming are not allowed inside the State Apartments or St George's Chapel.
  • Food and drinks: Outside food and drinks are prohibited inside Windsor Castle, and eating or drinking is not permitted inside the State Apartments or St George's Chapel.
  • Baggage policy: Large suitcases and heavy luggage are not allowed inside the castle.
  • Animals: Only guide, hearing, or assistance animals are permitted inside the castle.
  • Smoking: Smoking and vaping (including e-cigarettes) are strictly prohibited on the premises.
  • Prohibited items: Pen knives, knives, scissors, Kirpans, alcoholic drinks, paints or aerosols, bicycles, folding bikes, roller-skates, skateboards, or drones are not allowed inside the castle.
  • Windsor Castle shop: Located inside Windsor Castle, the shops offer a range of luxury items and gifts, including commemorative chinaware, sparkling jewellery, elegant homeware, fine food and drink, and charming souvenirs for children.
  • China Museum shop: The China Museum Shop features a selection of china inspired by the museum’s collection, crafted in traditional English potteries using time-honoured techniques.

Visitor tips

  • Don’t miss the Changing the Guard tradition, held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11am. Plan your visit so you can see this ceremony either before or after exploring the other attractions.
  • Allow at least 2 hours to explore the castle, though 3 hours is ideal, as all visitors must pass through a mandatory airport-style security check. Avoid carrying prohibited items or large bags to make the process quicker and smoother.
  • The castle sits atop a steep hill, so plan for some walking and take breaks where needed.
  • Avoid visiting on Sundays, as St George’s Chapel remains closed. Plan for a weekday so you can cover all attractions within the castle at once.
  • Some parts of the castle, like the State Apartments, are open seasonally, from March 1 to October 31, 2026.
  • After your visit, take time to stroll through the historic town of Windsor and visit nearby Eton College across the Thames. They are worth every bit of your time.
  • Pro tip: Check for the King’s presence by looking for the Royal Standard flag flying above the Round Tower. If it’s flying, the King is in residence.

Frequently asked questions about Windsor Castle tickets

Yes! Your entry tickets are valid only for the specific time slot you choose when booking, so plan your arrival accordingly.

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