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London To Windsor Castle Tours

Windsor Castle State Apartments

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

From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Jeanine Kenigstein
CL

Jeanine

Chile
Feb 2026
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+1 more

It's an ambitious tour because you visit three places in one day. That gives you the opportunity to see a lot in a short time, but the visits are very short and you're left wanting more. We also spend quite a bit of time on the bus, so you have to be mentally prepared for that. The destinations are wonderful, it's worth it!
Sany Marques Cardinot

Sany

Jan 2026
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+1 more

My husband's birthday couldn't go unnoticed, and the best gift was the invitation to Windsor Castle. It was wonderful; we saw the chapel where Queen Elizabeth is buried, and I was very moved. We took many photos in the garden. It was a worthwhile experience.
David Todd
GB

David

United Kingdom
Jan 2026
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Very organised easy route to follow and very welcoming staff. We were pleased to see a lot of special people helping out and always helpful. Thank you
Jana Fabecic
NL

Jana

Netherlands
Jan 2026
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+1 more

really productively spent day, everything was great we were informed correctly at every point of trip our guide was so nice
Joey Beken
BE

Joey

Belgium
Dec 2025
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+2 more

I loved our tour guid she was absolutly amazing and brilliant. We got to learn so much of the history about these places with a lot of laughter in between. Everything was scheduled perfectly in the right order and so we had plenty of time and opportunities to go to the restroom and to have a snack or a drink. This was an amzing experience, thank you! I would definitly recomend!
Angelatos Jennifer
AU

Angelatos

Australia
Jan 2026
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+1 more

The Garden were beautiful, even in winter. To be able to be indoors surrounded by majestic jungles of plants & varieties were impressive. I hope to be back from Australia this year 2026 in spring to return & see it all in bloom. My favourite glass house content was the Australian one, the smell when you first enter was beautiful & calming. The original glass houses are beautiful structures & shapes.
Clive Bay

Clive

Oct 2025
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Great day out the green houses was beautiful , the tree top walk was fantastic and the grounds was amazing. Did not see the Japanese tower as it was close, so maybe a trip back again in the near future. 👍
Jill Carrigan

Jill

Oct 2025
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A well run venue with friendly, helpful staff. Everywhere was clean especially the toilets-always judge a place by its toilets. A huge variety of things to do for all ages. Pretty good on signage although would like to have more maps about the place and something denoting age range of activity areas. Not that impresssd with app. Would like to be able to access the map easier.

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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
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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

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.