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- London To Windsor Castle Tours
- St George's Chapel
- State Apartments
- Queen Mary's Dolls' House
- Waterloo Chamber
- History
- Architecture
- Inside
- Windsor Day Trips
- Changing of the Guard
- Burials
- Windsor Castle vs Buckingam Palace
- London Theatre Tickets
- London Eye
- Tower of London
- London To Stonehenge Tours
- Harry Potter London Tours
- Madame Tussauds London
- Westminster Abbey
- The Shard
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium
- Moco Museum London
- London Dungeon
- Frameless London
- Tower Bridge
- Buckingham Palace
- Heathrow Airport transfers
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- London City Passes
- National Express London
Contents
All you need to know about Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a nearly 1,000-year-old royal residence in Berkshire, England. Founded by William the Conqueror, it's the world's largest inhabited castle and remains an active home for the British Royal Family. Its historical significance is im...
Founded On
1824
Founded By
Jeffry Wyatville, Hugh May, Edward Blore, Anthony Salvin, Giles Downes, and Henry Emlyn
Quick Information
ADDRESS
Windsor SL4 1NJ, UK
RECOMMENDED DURATION
2 hours
Timings
10:00–17:15
VISITORS PER YEAR
1500000
TICKETS
From £ 31
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD
30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE
0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
UNESCO YEAR
1991
Did you know?
The royal family’s former name used to be Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. In 1919, the royal family adopted the name Windsor, inspired by the castle.
More than 10 monarchs have been buried in Windsor Castle, including Charles I, Edward IV, Henry VIII, and Queen Elizabeth II.
During World War II, the royals hid at Windsor instead of Buckingham Palace. The young princesses, including the future Queen Elizabeth II, had to sleep in the dungeon.
Windsor Castle tickets and tours
Plan your visit to Windsor Castle
Location
Timings
The opening hours of Windsor Castle can vary depending on the time of the year.
- November 1 to February 29: 10am to 4:15pm (Thursday to Monday)
- March 1 to October 31: 10am to 5:15pm (Thursday to Monday)
The last entry is 1 hour and 15 minutes before closing. Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Windsor Castle timingsWhat to see at Windsor Castle
St George's Chapel
Founded by King Edward III in 1348, St George’s Chapel is dedicated to the Order of the Garter. This Perpendicular Gothic-style chapel has been the venue for several royal services, weddings, and burials. The last grand wedding was that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This is also where Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest in 2022.
State Apartments
These ceremonial rooms are used by the monarch to host the Heads of State from other countries, investitures, and award ceremonies. The gold-covered Grand Reception Room, the Waterloo Chamber, and the Semi-State Rooms are the most extravagant, each with elaborately painted ceilings and works by Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens.
Semi-State Rooms
Queen Elizabeth II often used these private apartments for entertaining guests of royalty and private events. Created for George IV, the rooms have richly decorated interiors, with the Crimson Drawing Room being one of the most elaborate and expensive interior decoration projects in England with interiors by Morel and Seddon, including chandeliers, curtains, decorative trimmings, and velvet wall hangings.
Queen Mary's Doll's House
Built between 1921 and 1924 for Queen Mary, this miniature marvel has over 1,500 contributions from writers, architects, artists, and craftspeople. The dollhouse features 200 miniature books by famous authors, a fully-stocked wine cellar, electricity, running water, and working lifts.
Changing of the Guard
Even if you’ve missed the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, don’t worry! Windsor Palace also offers the same experience. Watch the guards hand over their duties to the next set of guards, a ceremony carried out since 1660. The ceremony begins at 11am and lasts 45 minutes.
Royal Archives
The Royal Archives, also known as the King's or Queen's Archives, has stored monarchs' official and private correspondence for centuries. Founded in 1912 to store Queen Victoria's personal papers, the living collection includes diaries, letters, household papers, administrative records, and photographs.
Who built Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the result of works by several architects. William the Conqueror started it all with a basic wooden fort. Over the centuries, different architects kept adding and making changes. Some famous names you might recognize include Jeffry Wyatville, Edward Blore, Anthony Salvin, Hugh May, Giles Downes, and Henry Emlyn. Apart from these architects, tons of skilled craftspeople also helped turn the castle into what it is today.
Windsor Castle architecture
Windsor Castle, a living chronicle of English history, presents a unique architectural journey. Its medieval core, true to its origins, features crenellated battlements, a defensive network of parapets, and an array of cylindrical and polygonal towers, culminating in the iconic Round Tower, a keep atop a man-made mound. As the centuries unfolded, the castle underwent significant transformations, embracing Gothic architecture. This is visible in the stained-glass windows and the dramatic pointed arches that define the vaulted ceilings and colonnades.
In the State Apartments, the architectural styles of the Georgian and Victorian periods mix. The vast halls, designed for state occasions, are adorned with richly carved and gilded ceilings, showcasing elaborate plasterwork and intricate moldings. The walls are lined with priceless artwork, tapestries, mirrors, and crystal chandeliers. The furniture, crafted from rare woods and upholstered in luxurious fabrics, speaks of royal patronage and refined taste. The floors, often inlaid with intricate patterns of marble or parquet, add to the overall sense of regal splendor.
Order of the Garter
The Order of the Garter is Britain’s oldest and most senior level of knighthood. It was founded by Edward III in 1348 and the St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle is the mother church of the Order of the Garter. Every June, a service and procession celebrates the Order attended by the monarch and the royal family. All new Knights and/or Ladies of the Order are sworn in at the Throne Room at Windsor Castle on Garter Day during the investiture ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions about Windsor Castle
What is the best time to visit Windsor Castle?
Windsor Castle is open from 10am to 4:15pm in winter and till 5:15pm in the summer from Thursday to Monday. The best time to visit the castle is from May to September. However, be aware that these months are also the busiest. Try to visit during weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
How can I get to Windsor Castle?
The best way to get to the castle is by booking a day trip from London to Windsor Castle. This saves you the trouble of arranging transport. You can even take a guided tour of attractions like Stonehenge, Oxford, or Bath. If you're choosing public transport, take the train. Get down at Windsor & Eton Central, which is just 373m away from the castle.
Who lives at Windsor Castle?
No royal members live at Windsor Castle now except the staff. After Queen Elizabeth II's passing, King Charles inherited the castle. It is likely that Prince William and Kate Middleton will move into it.
How big is Windsor Castle?
Although Windsor Castle is much smaller than Buckingham Palace in London, it has more rooms. While Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, Windsor Castle has just over 1,000 rooms. That's about 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms.
How long did it take to build Windsor Castle?
The original wooden castle was built around 1070 and took over 16 years to complete. However, succeeding rulers expanded and renovated it several times over the years, with the last round of renovations after the fire in 1992.
Which parts of Windsor Castle are off-limits to the public?
The Windsor Castle is completely open to the public. The castle or the State Apartments are only closed to the public when royalty is in the house or during special events when the castle is functioning as a working palace.
Is photography allowed inside Windsor Castle?
Photography is not allowed in St George’s Chapel and the State Apartments. However, you are free to click photos outside the castle premises.
Is there a dress code to follow at Windsor Castle?
There is no strict dress code to follow when visiting Windsor Castle, but we encourage you to wear smart daywear. Given the attraction’s significance and the weather, wear respectable and modest clothing. Avoid shorts and flip-flops.
Can I buy souvenirs or gifts at Windsor Castle?
Yes, at the end of the tour, you can buy souvenirs and gifts, including books, decorations, stationery, and chocolates, at the Windsor Castle Shop.
