Know Before You Go: Visiting Windsor Castle

Visiting Windsor Castle will appeal to anyone interested in Britain’s history, culture, and royal heritage. As well as being the world’s largest and oldest occupied castle—it was founded as a fort in the 11th century by William the Conqueror—its stunning buildings rise above beautiful courtyards and parklands. Here, you can explore highlights such as its opulent, art-filled State Apartments and towering St. George’s Chapel—the burial place of numerous English sovereigns.

Other top attractions at Windsor Castle include Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House—a richly detailed, scaled-down version of an English mansion—and the Long Walk, a grand avenue set into Windsor Great Park that’s extolled in every Windsor Castle travel guide for its glorious castle views.

Exploring Windsor Castle is easier and more rewarding when there are fewer crowds, so aim for weekdays and the quieter seasons of winter, spring, or fall. Large crowds descend from May–September, so during this period, aim for a Monday, Thursday, or Friday (the castle is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), and if possible, err toward the afternoons when tour groups have dissipated.

Although it’s always busy, the castle is quieter from October–February, when fewer visitors mean shorter lines at highlights such as the State Apartments, and more opportunity for you to savor everything it offers.

Insider tip: Sync your visit with the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which is held at the castle at 11am Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Times and dates vary: Double-check schedules on Windsor’s official tourist sites.

While Windsor Castle is open year-round, exact opening hours vary according to the season and royal calendar. Generally though, it’s open Thursday–Monday inclusive: typically from 10am–5:15pm during March–October and 10am–4:15pm from November–February, with last entry 75 minutes before both closing times. The castle is also closed on December 25–26 each year, and also sometimes on January 1.

As the castle is a working palace, it can also sometimes close for royal and state functions, sometimes at short notice: Check with the official Royal Collections Trust website for up-to-date information. Additionally, bear in mind that St. George’s Chapel is closed to visitors every Sunday, as that’s when it holds religious services.

Windsor Castle consists of about 13 acres (5.3 hectares) and more than 1,000 rooms, and while its visitable areas are smaller, they’re still extensive. Official Windsor Castle visitor tips recommend at least 1.5–2 hours to cover the essentials at a relatively brisk pace, but to study the art collections, buildings, and grounds more fully, think more along the lines of 2–3 hours. And if you want to add strolls in Windsor Great Park, on the Long Walk, and in Windsor itself, you’re probably talking about 5–7 hours in all.

Got a full day to spare? Consider teaming castle tickets with a relaxed bike ride around Windsor and other Thames Valley highlights, or check out the world-renowned Eton College—it's where both Prince William and Prince Harry were educated.

As with many of England’s historical royal estates—Hampton Court Palace being one—Windsor Castle visitors explore independently, following a designated visitor route. Admission tickets include a complimentary, multi-language multimedia guide available for pickup at the entrance. The handheld guide leads you around the castle precincts, State Apartments, and St. George’s Chapel, while providing insightful commentary on their rich architecture, art, and history. Staff are on hand en route to offer extra perspectives into the castle’s story and functions.

The castle has a daily cap on visitors, so only a limited number of tickets are available for sale each day. You’re therefore strongly advised to pre-purchase admission tickets online to avoid potential ticket-booth lines and last-minute disappointment.

Insider tip: Prebooked tickets are sold for specified timed slots, so you’re guaranteed entry at designated times to help you plan ahead.

Windsor Castle offers in-house guided tours only on a limited basis and for special seasonal occasions, with tickets sold via the official castle website. Other third-party guides are subject to restrictions (for instance, only specially accredited guides can escort you around the State Apartments), so most organized tours simply drop you outside to explore inside the gates independently. Options include half-day itineraries (select a morning tour or afternoon tour) that focus exclusively on the castle, most of which include return travel from London and entrance tickets for a seamless outing.

That said, if you’re keen for an expert to show you around, opt for a private tour that includes your own personal specialist to guide you through St. George’s Chapel and the castle precincts.

Standalone Windsor Castle tickets and tours aside, there are plenty of other, organized tours on offer. Day trips from London that bundle the castle with other convenient-to-reach destinations are popular, and enable you to cover more sights than you could comfortably manage alone in the same timeframe. Staples include group tours that combine the castle with covering other South East England stars, such as Stonehenge and Bath, or full-day excursions with additional highlights, such as Oxford. Variations include royal-palace combos that team Windsor Castle with Hampton Court Palace or Buckingham Palace (July–September only).

If you’re already in Windsor, meanwhile, take your pick from budget-friendly walking tours that show you around this charming town’s other sights—topped off with castle views—or hop-on hop-off bus tours that stop outside the castle.

Windsor Castle is located in Windsor, about a 1-hour drive from central London via the M4 motorway. If driving, you’ll need to use public car parks in the town as the castle has no visitor parking.

If you’re considering how to get to Windsor Castle from London via public transportation, choose the train. Regular services from London Paddington to Windsor and Eton Central station take as little as 22 minutes, while those from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside station take around 55 minutes. Both stations are about a 10-minute walk from the castle.

By bus, look for the regular Windsor Express #702 from near Victoria Station or #703 from Heathrow Terminal 5.

Windsor Castle tiers its ticket prices by age and certain visitor categories, while also giving discounts for prebooking them online. As of 2026, and when purchased in advance, tickets for adults are £31, youth (18–24) tickets are £20, and admission for children (5–17) and people with disabilities is £15.50. These costs rise slightly for walk-up tickets (with the tickets subject to availability), but all include the complimentary multimedia guides.

In addition, access companions for disabled people and children under 5 go free. Most guided tours that feature the castle offer or include admission tickets, making them convenient and affordable ways to visit.

While there’s no dress code for visiting Windsor Castle, go for comfortable garments and practical shoes. The visitor route involves significant walking both indoors and outdoors—the castle sits on a steepish hill and you’ll need to cross the grounds to reach St. George’s Chapel—so ensure you’re prepared for the British weather.

Opt for layers, and—even in summer—be ready for rain with a light jacket or umbrella. In terms of clothing style, avoid anything skimpy or overly casual and stick to smart/casual attire such as jeans and long-sleeved tops.

Did you know?: St. George’s Chapel is a religious site where tradition dictates no hats unless during formal events. So if you’re wearing a hat, it’s respectful to remove it while inside the chapel.

Windsor Castle is well-equipped for visitors with disabilities. So if you use a wheelchair or have special access needs, it’s relatively easy to visit here independently, or explore via a wheelchair accessible excursion. Manual wheelchairs and rollators (wheeled aids with seats) are available free to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Ramps or platform lifts (operated with staff assistance) await at entrances to the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel.

Other facilities include sign-language assistance on visitor multimedia guides, plus accessible toilets, and hearing support systems. Keep in mind that those with limited mobility will need to navigate the steep inclines from Windsor High Street to the Admission Center, and from there to the castle, although both routes have respite seating.

• Why and when was Windsor Castle originally built? Windsor Castle was constructed around 1070 by William the Conqueror, England’s first Norman king. Originally a simple wooden fortification consisting of a tower and an enclosed courtyard, it was designed to guard the western approach to London and the nearby Saxon hunting ground of Windsor Forest.

• How has Windsor Castle grown over the centuries? Having begun life as a fortress, Windsor Castle evolved into a palace through the addition of stone walls, towers, and a gatehouse. From the 14th century on, residential apartments were created, and after periods of neglect, the castle was expanded and remodeled during the 17th–19th centuries into what it is today.

• What makes Windsor Castle the world’s oldest inhabited castle? Since its 11th-century construction, Windsor Castle has been used by a string of English monarchs, from William the Conqueror and Henry I right through to King Charles III. Over the centuries, it’s never been abandoned on a permanent basis, but continuously used as either a royal residence or military stronghold.

• What are the must-see treasures and artworks at Windsor Castle? Windsor Castle brims with unmissable art, most notably in its State Apartments, which house works by masters including Hans Holbein the Younger, Rubens, and van Dyck. Other treasures include a set of Henry VIII’s armor and the 20th-century Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, an intricately detailed miniature mansion created for Queen Mary.

• What's so special about St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle? Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, St. George’s Chapel is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, most celebrated for its soaring interiors, stained glass, and ornate fan vaulting: fan-patterned, stone-ribbed ceilings. The chapel also houses the tombs of 10 monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I, and Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022.