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Windsor Castle
4.5(67,705)

Windsor Castle State Apartments

Included with Windsor Castle tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

Windsor Castle viewed from the Long Walk on a day tour.

From happy customers

Loved by 44 million+
Elisangela Maria Silva Marques
GB

Elisangela

United Kingdom
Oct 2025
5/5
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I thought everything was wonderful, everyone was very attentive to us, I was delighted with everything, I would definitely recommend a visit to Windsor Castle, I will definitely be back.
Julie Harris
CA

Julie

Canada
Oct 2025
5/5
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We loved the state apartments, and we're lucky to be able to see the changing of the guard on Thursday morning. Also the neighbouring Windsor Yards was a nice surprise to eat and shop. The audio guide was very informative and the 'human' guides were very helpful and pleasant.
Thora Friederike Guillot

Thora

Oct 2025
5/5
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+1 more

An unforgettable day trip with Chrissy & “Stan the Man”! We joined the full-day Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Roman Bath tour from London, and it was absolutely fantastic! The meeting point is inside Victoria Coach Station — not outside on the corner as shown on the picture you receive beforehand — so make sure to go inside the building to check in. Our wonderful tour guide was Chrissy, and our driver was the legendary “Stan the Man.” From start to finish, Chrissy made the whole experience truly special. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and has a wonderful storytelling voice. Throughout the journey, she shared tons of fun side facts, interesting history, and added just the right touch of humor that kept everyone engaged and entertained. The tour was very well organized — all entrance fees were included, which made everything super convenient. We visited Windsor Castle first, then Stonehenge, and finally the Roman Baths. Do keep in mind that at each stop, you don’t have a huge amount of time to explore every detail in depth — but that’s completely understandable, as it’s a full-day tour covering several major highlights. We found the time at each location to be just right for getting a great overview. A small tip: bring some snacks or lunch with you, since there isn’t much time for proper meal stops. You’re allowed to eat and drink on the bus (just no hot drinks or warm/strong-smelling food). All in all, it was a wonderful and memorable experience. A huge thank you to Chrissy and Stan the Man for making the day so enjoyable! We would absolutely book another tour with Evan Evans again anytime.
FRANCISCO MIGUEL GAMEZ LLANES

Francisco

Jul 2025
5/5
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The guide was very kind and profesional, all the stories and information was very interesting. Was an amazing experience.
Gergana Kirova
BG

Gergana

Bulgaria
Jul 2025
5/5
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+2 more

Everything about our trip to Windsor/Stonehenge/Oxford was amazing! Our guide Phil and our driver Amajit were very helpful. Phil is an outstanding guide and very informative about our journey and destinations. We had a great time and we will definitely use the agency more in the future!
Guillermina Chávez Limon
MX

Guillermina

Mexico
Jun 2025
4/5
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Everything is great, very nice and an excellent organization. Only I could not enter the St. George's Cathedral. Personally it is an unforgettable experience.
Gervasio Parente
DE

Gervasio

Germany
Jul 2025
5/5
That's what we needed: I think that paying the single ticket isn't sometime worthy for some attraction but the London ticket prices was fair enough.
Abdulaziz Albassam
SA

Abdulaziz

Saudi Arabia
Apr 2025
5/5
The pass allowed for spontaneous planning and enabled easy access to multiple locations through one ticket. I loved the variety of options and how clear the instructions were.

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What are the State Apartments?

The State Apartments at Windsor Castle are the grand ceremonial rooms used for official events and state occasions. Located in the castle’s Upper Ward, these rooms offer visitors a glimpse into royal life, and feature lavish furnishings, historic décor, masterpieces from the Royal Collection, and paintings by Van Dyck, Rubens, and other renowned artists.

Where are they located?

The State Apartments are situated along the north side of the quadrangle within Windsor Castle’s Upper Ward. They form the main public route through the castle’s ceremonial spaces.

How to access the State Apartments

Access to the State Apartments is included in all Windsor Castle tickets. You do not need to purchase a separate ticket to explore these historic rooms.

Things to know before booking your State Apartment tickets

  • Ticketed entry: When you book a Windsor Castle ticket, access to the State Apartments is included. 
  • Accessibility: Step-free access is available via a lift from the North Terrace. There are some steps inside the apartments, but alternative step-free routes are available as well.
  • Timings: The State Apartments generally follow Windsor Castle’s opening hours: 10am–5:15pm (Mar–Oct) and 10am–4:15pm (Nov–Feb). Entry to the apartments typically closes 30 minutes after the last castle admission.
  • Closures: As a working royal palace, Windsor Castle may close parts or all of the State Apartments at short notice for official events. Make sure you have an eye out on the Royal Collection Trust website for updates.
  • Semi-State Rooms: Between autumn and spring (September to May), your ticket may also include access to the Semi-State Rooms. These rooms are closed when the State Apartments are not open (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

Why visit the State Apartments?

windsor castle state apartments
  • Grand interiors: The State Apartments showcase the castle’s most impressive ceremonial rooms, including St. George’s Hall, the King’s Gallery, King’s Drawing Room, Grand Reception Room, and the Waterloo Chamber.
  • Royal Collection treasures: For some of the finest masterpieces in the world, the State Apartments feature works by Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens, along with exquisite tapestries, furniture and decorations.
  • Ceremonial significance: The apartments are also famous for hosting investiture ceremonies, state dinners, receptions, and official events in the Garter Throne Room and St George’s Hall. 
  • Architectural evolution: The architecture at the State Apartments is worth seeing. Designed by Hugh May and expanded by Jeffry Wyatville, it blends Classical, Gothic, and Rococo styles.
  • Historical legacy: The castle has a strong historical legacy. It was constructed for Charles II and Catherine of Braganza in the 17th century and meticulously restored after the 1992 fire to preserve its original splendor.

What can you see inside the State Apartments?

windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
windsor castle state apartments
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Queen Victoria's guard chamber

  • This room served as a waiting area for those with audiences with the monarch, and has an admirable decorative display of swords, muskets and pistols along with portraits of military figures and members of the royal family.
  • Unique fact: The practice of arranging weaponry in geometric patterns was a decorative style organized in the 1830s by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick.

Presence Chamber

  • This room was where the monarch received important guests and officials. Marvel at the tapestries depicting historical or mythological scenes and the throne canopy.
  • Unique fact: This is one of a few rooms at Windsor that retain their original late 17th-century ceilings and decoration, showcasing Restoration-era artwork.

Audience Chamber

  • Used for more formal audiences with the Queen, this room features a state portrait of the reigning monarch or a significant historical portrait. In the 1830s, it was remodeled by Jeffry Wyatville as the Ante-Throne Room.
  • Unique fact: The room was specifically redesigned to create a more formal and ceremonial atmosphere for royal audiences.

King’s Drawing Room

  • The King used this room to withdraw after formal occasions and entertain select guests. Walk in and look for the plasterwork on the ceilings with symbolic motifs, originally painted by Antonio Verrio and replaced by Jeffry Wyatville during his remodelling.
  • Unique fact: The ceiling artwork reflects changing royal tastes and the influence of different architects across centuries.

King's Bedchamber

  • While not a modern royal bedroom, this bedchamber highlights the elaborate state bed, portraits of the monarch and consort, and personal items associated with the room's historical occupants.
  • Unique fact: The state bed was acquired by George IV and is attributed to the master French furniture maker Georges Jacob. 

King's Dressing Room

  • Adjacent to the bedchamber, this smaller room was used by the King for dressing and private audiences. Notice furniture such as writing desks and mirrors and don’t miss the smaller personal artworks around the room.
  • Unique fact: The original ceiling painting by Antonio Verrio depicted Jupiter and Danae, adding mythological grandeur to the space.

Grand Reception Room

  • The largest room in the State Apartments, this room features chandeliers, tapestries, and a beautiful view of the Long Walk. This room hosts large-scale formal events, including state banquets.
  • Unique fact: The room was once the main ballroom of Windsor Castle but now hosts receptions and other large-scale events.

St. George's Hall

  • Rebuilt after the 1992 fire, the hall’s most striking feature is the hammerbeam roof, adorned with the coats of arms of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter throughout history.
  • Unique fact: The musicians' gallery at one end of the hall is a rare feature in British ceremonial halls, allowing live music during banquets.

Waterloo Chamber

  • This room commemorates the victory at the Battle of Waterloo, with numerous portraits of allied commanders, including monarchs and statesmen involved in Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat.
  • Unique fact: The room was specifically commissioned to honor the military triumphs of Wellington and his allies after 1815.

Queen Mary's Dolls' House

  • This incredibly detailed miniature house features working electricity, plumbing, and even tiny bottles of real wine. It contains works by over 1,500 of the finest artists, craftspeople, and manufacturers of the early 20th century!
  • Unique fact: The dolls’ house includes miniature books that are actual readable works, some authored by famous writers of the period.

Crimson Drawing Room

  • Known for its crimson damask wall hangings, this room was used for intimate gatherings and entertaining smaller groups. Notice the furniture upholstered in coordinating fabrics, paintings, decorative porcelain, and other objets d'art. 
  • Unique fact: The crimson damask was chosen to create a warm, inviting atmosphere suitable for private royal gatherings.

Green Drawing Room

  • Similar to the Crimson Drawing Room, this space features green silk damask wall hangings and 18th-century French furniture. It provided a setting for informal royal interactions and entertainment.
  • Unique fact: The green silk and French furniture reflect 18th-century tastes for elegance and comfort in private royal spaces.

State Dining Room

  • Designed for royal and formal dining occasions, this room features a long polished dining table set with elaborate silverware and porcelain along with portraits of past monarchs lining the walls.
  • Unique fact: The State Dining Room has hosted banquets for visiting heads of state, with seating arrangements following centuries-old royal protocol.

Historical and cultural significance of the State Apartments

The State Apartments at Windsor Castle are grand, historic ceremonial rooms that have evolved over centuries, blending Baroque and Gothic Revival styles. Beyond their opulence, the State Apartments symbolize power, prestige, and history, serving as formal living quarters and venues for significant state events. Designed to impress, they offer visitors a glimpse into the lives of royalty and dignitaries, preserving historical narratives through their architecture and period furnishings.

​More about the history of Windsor Castle

Architectural highlights of the State Apartments

windsor castle state apartments

14th Century: Medieval Style

The foundations of the State Apartments date back to the 14th century, when Edward III transformed the Upper Ward from a defensive stronghold into a royal palace. William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, oversaw the creation of apartments for the King and Queen, marking a shift from fortress to ceremonial residence.

windsor castle state apartments

1670s: Baroque Style

After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, King Charles II modernized the interiors in the 1670s with the help of architect Hugh May. Grand Baroque-style state rooms were created with classical proportions, plasterwork and detailing designed to rival the finest palaces in Europe.

King George IV equestrian statue against a clear blue sky.

1820s: Gothic Revival Style

In the 1820s, Windsor Castle embraced the Gothic Revival style under King George IV and architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville. Wyatville added castle-like features such as crenellations, pointed windows, and towers to the Upper Ward, giving the castle the dramatic, medieval-inspired appearance we see today.

​More about Windsor Castle's architecture

Striking architecture of the State Apartments

The State Apartments are a masterpiece of royal architecture. Here are some architectural details worth keeping an eye on:

windsor castle state apartments

Grand proportions and enfilade

The apartments follow an enfilade layout, a series of rooms aligned with doorways in a straight line, creating a dramatic visual effect. This arrangement allows visitors to gaze through multiple rooms at once, producing long vistas and a sense of ceremonial procession.

King Henry VIII Gate at Windsor Castle illuminated at night.

Elaborate plasterwork

For sights of some of the best intricate plasterwork in the country, all you need to do is look up at the ceilings of the State Apartments. Each ceiling features motifs, floral patterns, and heraldic designs, particularly in spaces such as the King’s Drawing Room, Audience Chamber, and Grand Reception Room.

windsor castle state apartments

Tall windows

The State Apartments are filled with natural light streaming through large windows that offer stunning views of the castle grounds, including the Long Walk. Interestingly, these windows weren’t always like this—they evolved from classical rectangular forms to pointed Gothic arches during the 19th-century Gothic Revival remodeling.

Waterloo Chamber in Windsor Castle with portraits and ornate ceiling.

Impressive fireplaces

Marble and fine stone fireplaces punctuate the rooms, serving as both functional and decorative focal points. Watch out for these fireplaces in the Grand Reception Room, King’s Bedchamber, and Waterloo Chamber, each featuring detailed carvings, coats of arms, and historical motifs.

Windsor Castle interior with ornate paintings and antique furniture in a richly decorated room.

Decorative wall coverings

If elegance and royalty weren’t enough, the walls of the State Apartments offer even more! Draped in sumptuous fabrics such as damask and velvet, the rooms are adorned with tapestries depicting historical or mythological scenes, showcasing rich colours and textures that create a truly regal atmosphere.

St. George's Chapel interior with stained glass windows at Windsor Castle, London.

Hammerbeam Roof

St. George’s Hall features a remarkable hammerbeam roof, a classic example of medieval timber construction. Although reconstructed after the 1992 fire, the roof retains its grandeur and is adorned with the coats of arms of the Knights of the Garter, adding a ceremonial dimension to the space.

Know before your visit to the State Apartments

windsor castle state apartments

The Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

  • Nov 1 to Feb 29: 10am to 4:15pm (Last entry: 3pm)
  • Mar 1 to Oct 31: 10am to 5:15pm (Last entry: 4pm)

Entry to the State Apartments closes 30 mins after the last admission time.

The Semi-State Rooms usually open from autumn-spring each year. They are currently closed until autumn 2025.

Windsor Castle timings

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

  • By bus: 702, 703
    Nearest stop: Parish Church (Stop J)
  • By train: GWR, South Western Railway
    Nearest station: Windsor & Eton Central
  • By car: Via A4 and M4
    Nearest parking: Romney Lock and King Edward VII car parks on Datchet Road
  • By guided tour: Evan Evans Tours
    Nearest stop: Windsor Castle
Getting to Windsor Castle
windsor castle state apartments
  • Baby changing facilities: Baby changing facilities are available at Windsor Castle, though not directly inside the State Apartments.
  • Storage: Cloakroom facilities are available at Windsor Castle, where you can leave larger items. However, it's always best to avoid bringing large bags.
  • Educational Resources: Family trails and activity sheets are available for children.
windsor castle state apartments
  • Strollers: Strollers and buggies are not permitted inside the State Apartments. You will need to leave them in a designated area. However, baby carriers are permitted.
  • Baggage policy: Large bags, suitcases, and backpacks are not permitted. Smaller bags like handbags and small shoulder bags are allowed, but they may be subject to security checks.
  • Photography: Photography is strictly prohibited inside the State Apartments.
  • Outside food and drinks: No food or drinks are allowed inside the apartments. But there are cafés on the castle grounds where you can refuel before or after your visit.
  • Pets: Pets are not allowed, but service animals are welcome.

Visitor tips and guidelines

  • Time your visit around the guard change: Plan your visit to see the Changing the Guard ceremony at 11am, then head straight to the State Apartments. If you prefer to skip the ceremony, use this time to explore the Apartments while they’re less crowded.
  • Ask the wardens questions: They know all the little-known historical gems and off-script stories that aren’t in the guidebook!
  • If you’re visiting during the last admission: Explore the Apartments after St. George’s Chapel if you’re arriving close to the last admission (post 4pm). The chapel closes earlier than the rest of the Castle, usually around 4pm, while the Apartments stay open a bit longer.
  • Study the miniature doorways: Look for small doors tucked into the wood panelling in some rooms. These weren’t children’s entrances but were designed for servants, discreetly blending into the décor.
  • Visit during special exhibition seasons: From April to October, Windsor Castle often hosts rotating exhibits of rarely-seen royal artifacts in the State Apartments, including Fabergé pieces, royal fashion, and early manuscripts.

Frequently asked questions about the Windsor Castle State Apartments

How far in advance should I book tickets?

During peak tourist season (spring break, summer holidays, and bank holiday weekends), it is highly recommended to book your Windsor Castle tickets at least several weeks, if not months, in advance. Time slots sell out quickly, especially for popular times of the day (e.g., late morning and early afternoon). While you can buy tickets on the day, availability is not guaranteed, and you can expect long queues and potential disappointment if your desired time slot is full.

Can I visit the State Apartments multiple times with the same ticket?

No, your ticket grants one-time entry only. So make it count—look up, look around, and take it all in!

Are the Windsor Castle State Apartments open throughout the year?

The State Apartments are working royal residences, so they can close with little notice due to state visits, official ceremonies, or other royal events. During the summer opening (August and September), you can often see a greater number of rooms, including the private apartments. It's always best to check the official Royal Collection Trust website on the day of your visit for the most up-to-date information on which apartments are accessible.

How long should I plan to spend in the State Apartments?

Most visitors spend about 1 to 1.5 hours inside the State Apartments, soaking up the history and grandeur. But if you’re an art or history buff, you might want a bit longer to linger.

Are the State Apartments accessible?

Accessibility within the State Apartments is limited due to the historic nature of the building, which includes numerous steps and uneven surfaces. Step-free access is not available to all areas. However, the main State Apartments can be accessed via a lift.

Is photography allowed inside the State Apartments?

Nope—sadly, photography is not allowed inside. But trust us, these rooms are so regal, they’ll be etched in your memory forever.

What other sub-attractions are included in the Windsor Castle ticket?

The Windsor Castle ticket typically grants access to the precincts, St. George's Chapel, and the Drawings Gallery.

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