Windsor Castle
Home to royalty and 1,000 years of royal history.
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It is open to visitors throughout the year.
Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 40 monarchs.
You can sign up to our email updates to hear the latest news about the Castle and events taking place.
Prices
- Book in advance for the best value and to guarantee entry.
- Your ticket includes a multimedia tour.
| Advance | On the day (subject to availability) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £28.00 | £30.00 |
| Young Person (18-24) | £18.00 | £19.50 |
| Child (5-17) | £15.50 | £16.50 |
| Disabled | £15.50 | £16.50 |
| Access companion | Free | Free |
| Under 5 | Free | Free |
| Groups (15 people or more) | View group prices | |
Discount cards
- Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Advantage Card holders can obtain free admission to the Castle.
- MOD90 or Defence Discount Scheme (DDS) cardholders can obtain free admission once per year with up to 4 guests at all Royal Collection Trust sites.
Enjoy free re-admission for a year by asking us to treat your ticket purchase as a donation.
At the end of your visit, ask a Warden to stamp your ticket to convert it into a 1- Year Pass.
Find out more.
Opening times
The Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
| Opening time | Last admission | Closing time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 November- 28 February | 10:00 | 15:00 | 16:15 |
| 1 March - 31 October | 10:00 | 16:00 | 17:15 |
In peak season the Castle is likely to be busy and we strongly recommend you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Access to St George’s Chapel may be limited after 14:30, particularly on Saturdays. Please arrive earlier to avoid disappointment.
Entrance to the State Apartments closes 30 minutes after the last admission time.
The Semi-State Rooms usually open from autumn-spring each year. They are currently open until Sunday, 24 March 2024.
Windsor Castle closures
As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, sometimes the entire Castle or the State Apartments within the Castle need to be closed at short notice.
-
Monday, 25 December 2023 - Castle closed.
-
11 - 15 January 2024 - Castle closed.
-
Friday, 29 March 2024 - Castle closed.
St George's Chapel closures
Please note St George’s Chapel is open on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday but it is not part of the visit on Sunday, when it is only open for worship. More details are available on the Chapel website.
Access to St George’s Chapel may be limited after 14:30, particularly on Saturdays. Please arrive earlier to avoid disappointment.
- Friday, 8 December 2023 - St George's Chapel opening 11:00
- Saturday, 23 December 2023 - St George's Chapel closing 13:00
Practical information
- In peak season the Castle is likely to be busy and we strongly recommend you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
- When you arrive, you will pass through an airport-style security check. Read more about security & luggage.
- Your ticket includes a complimentary multimedia guide, available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish. The English language guides feature versions tailored for families (children) and D/deaf and hard of hearing visitors.
- You can take photographs in the outside areas of the Castle, but not inside the building or within St George's Chapel. Read about photography, filming & mobile phones.
- Toilets, Changing Places and baby-care facilities are available.
- The undercroft café in the Castle serves food and drinks, however eating and drinking are not permitted inside the State Apartments or St George's Chapel.
Map & directions
Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1NJBy car
There is no visitor car parking at the Castle, so we recommend you use public car parks in the town centre. Details about parking in Windsor town centre can be found on www.windsor.gov.uk
By train
The nearest train stations are 'Windsor & Eton Central' or 'Windsor & Eton Riverside'.
Both stations are a short walk (less than 10 minutes) to the Castle but from Riverside station you will need to walk up a steep hill.
Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.
By coach / bus
Windsor Express buses operate regular services to Windsor town centre:
- Route 702 runs from near Victoria Station in central London
- Route 703 runs from Heathrow Terminal 5
Find more information on the Windsor Express website.
Tour companies operate excursions to Windsor Castle from many London hotels. For details, please ask your hotel concierge.
Your visit to Windsor Castle ©
Highlights
Top things to see and do at Windsor Castle
With so much to see and do, take a look at our list of recommendations to make your visit extra special.
See the listWhat's on
Christmas at Windsor Castle
Experience a warm winter welcome at the official residence of His Majesty The King and see the State Apartments decorated for Christmas.
Artemisia Gentileschi display
See a rare surviving painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, the greatest female artist of her generation.
Shopping and eating
Windsor Castle Shops
Visit the Castle shops with plenty of luxury gifts available to purchase.
Refreshments
Make time for tea and cake in the Undercroft Café at the Castle. The café is situated in one of the oldest surviving spaces in the 1,000 year old Castle.
Children and families
Try our online games
How much do you know about Henry VIII?
Download a family activity trail
Download one of our free trails for children aged 7 – 11 to learn more about the Castle.
Top five things to look out for
Find the place where 10 kings are buried, including Henry VIII and Charles I.
Things to do
Pick up a family multimedia guide and learn about the Castle with Scorch the dragon as your guide.
What's on for children and families
About the Castle
Who built the Castle?
Find out which kings & queens built and changed Windsor Castle over the centuries.
Who lived at the Castle?
Queen Victoria spent most of the year at Windsor.
Fire at the Castle
In 1992 fire destroyed many rooms at the Castle. The award-winning restoration took 5 years to complete.
Visitors over the centuries
Windsor Castle has welcomed visitors for hundreds of years.
Access and mobility
Windsor Castle is accessible. Concessionary rates are available if you have a disability and a free access companion ticket can be obtained by contacting the Specialist Sales Team on +44 (0)303 123 7324 or by emailing [email protected].
The Castle is situated at the top of a steep hill, long distances have to be covered and much of the site is outdoors. You may wish to download a photo journey (PDF) to help you plan your visit. For travel information, see the section on our mobility page.
An accessible café, toilets, and a Changing Places are available.
Registered assistance dogs are welcome and a number of Wardens are Dementia Friends, please ask staff for any assistance.
The multimedia guide is available in British Sign Language (BSL) and with subtitles.
General information on visiting is available on our Practical Information page.
For detailed access information, please select one of the options below. For any other information, you can contact the Specialist Sales team on +44 (0)303 123 7324 or by emailing [email protected].
For detailed access information on visiting the local area please see AccessAble's guide to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Access events
Schools
Bring the curriculum to life with a visit to Windsor Castle. We offer a range of interactive workshops, tours, learning activities and resources for nursery, primary and secondary pupils. If you are a teacher or group organiser, our schools visit information will help you plan your day.
Groups
Group prices
We offer a groups discount for bookings of 15 people or more.
Group bookings
It is essential to pre-book your group visit. Buy your tickets online or over the telephone.
Coach parking
There's coach parking in Windsor town centre. Unfortunately coaches can't drop off or pick up directly outside the Castle.
Guiding
Windsor Castle-authorised Blue Badge Guides are welcome to guide within the Precincts, but not inside the Castle.
What's on for groups
Book tickets
Windsor Castle Standard Admission 2023
Book a ticket to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and home to 1,000 years of royal history.
Windsor Castle Standard Admission 2024
Book a ticket to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and home to 1,000 years of royal history.
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