Windsor Castle: tickets, tours and visitor information

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.

A royal home and fortress for more than 900 years, it remains a working palace to this day, and is the official residence of His Majesty The King.

Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of the world famous Windsor Castle. Get ready to explore the lavish State Rooms, pay your respects at St George's Chapel and explore the immaculate gardens.

What is there to see at Windsor Castle?

Your Windsor Castle ticket includes access to:

• The magnificent State Apartments, decorated with some of the finest works of art in the Royal Collection. Spot masterpieces on display by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyck, Sèvres porcelain and exquisite English and French furniture.
• Queen Mary's Dolls' House – the largest dolls’ house in the world.
• St George's Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married in 2018 and where Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest in 2022.
• The Moat Room gives an overview of the castle's 950-year history, with three largescale bronze models showing how the castle looked at different moments in time.
• A free multimedia tour, so you can take a self-guided tour of the castle. Available in several languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish.
• Try to time your visit for the Changing the Guard ceremony, it takes place at 11am on select days (weather permitting) from Monday to Saturday between April and June. The rest of the year it takes place on alternate days, with the exception of Sundays.

Read more about the top 10 things to see at Windsor Castle. 

How to book tickets for Windsor Castle?

You can book Windsor Castle Tours from London today by using the booking button on this page.

Alternatively, book onto one of the many day trips to Windsor Castle that include entry to the castle plus stops at other attractions and towns, including Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Lacock, Salisbury and Hampton Court Palace.

If you’re short on time, join an afternoon coach tour from London to Windsor Castle, giving you enough time to look around before returning in the evening. You can even combine London's two iconic royal residences with Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle tour tickets. 

Where is Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is in Windsor, around 25 miles (40km) from central London in the county of Berkshire. The town of Windsor is on the banks of the Thames, to the south of Slough and to the west of Heathrow Airport. 

How to get to Windsor Castle from London

Travel to Windsor by train from London Paddington to Windsor and Eton Central station, with services taking as little as 22 minutes. Trains also run from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside, taking just under an hour.

Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely afternoon or full day coach tour from Victoria in central London.

Who lives at Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of His Majesty The King.

How long does it take to see Windsor Castle?

The recommended time for your self-guided Tour of Windsor Castle from London is two to three hours, allowing you to complete the full visitors’ route around the castle and grounds.

How old is Windsor Castle and when was it built?

The castle is more than 900 years old and was built in the 11th century. The construction started around 1070 and took about 16 years to complete.

How many rooms are in Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle in Windsor is home to more than 1,000 rooms including the famous State Apartments split in ceremonial rooms and historic rooms as well as the Semi-State rooms.

Can you walk around Windsor Castle for free?

To gain access to Windsor Castle visitors need to purchase Windsor Castle tickets. The price allows entry to St George's Chapel, the State Apartments, the Moat Room, Queen Mary's Dolls' House, as well as some walks on castle grounds.

Please note, St George's Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays.

What else can you do while in Windsor

Discover the town further with the Windsor hop-on hop-off bus tour with 11 stops, from royal landmarks and historic buildings to charming restaurants and shops. For those who want to also tuck into delicious food or prefer to see the Highlights of Windsor from the comfort of their seats check out the Royal Windsor Afternoon Tea Bus tour that combines offers the ultimate sightseeing experience.

There are plenty of activities you can do in and around Windsor. If you are looking for the ultimate kids activity get tickets for Legoland Windsor and explore more than 55 interactive attractions all made of Lego.

Or see Windsor from a different perspective with the French Brothers Windsor boat trip, a 40-minute sightseeing cruise on the river Thames with unique angles of Windsor Castle and other places like Eton College and keep your eyes peeled for some local wildlife along the way.