Blind or partially-sighted
Access
The Castle is situated at the top of a steep hill.
Castle Hill with the bandstand on the right. ©
There nine stone steps up to the entrance door.
Stone steps in to the building. ©
Then a further 11 stone steps up to the Inner Hall. After the first seven steps there is a landing area.
Stone steps up to the Inner Hall ©
The view down to the State Entrance from the Inner Hall ©
There are then six steps down to the State Entrance.
The State Entrance ©
There are 39 steps in the Grand Staircase which leads to the State Apartments.
The Grand Staircase from the State Entrance ©
The Grand Staircase leading to the State Apartments Photographer: Ian Jones
Alternative access to the Inner Hall and State Apartments is via a platform lift on the North Terrace. The lift must be operated by a Castle warden. The lift measures 232cm wide x 145cm long.
The plarform lift from the North Terrace to the Inner Hall ©
St George's Chapel
There are 3 stone steps into St George’s Chapel. An alternative entrance without steps is available, please ring the bell at the main chapel entrance. Inside the Chapel there are six sets of steps (minimum 1 step, maximum 3 steps) all of which have access ramps.
Stone steps into St George’s Chapel ©
Flooring and surfaces
Most rooms are carpeted with thick pile carpet or polished wooden floors.
A Warden with visitors in The Queen's Ballroom at Windsor Castle Photographer: Ian Jones
St George's Chapel has stone floors. In some outside areas the ground is cobbled and uneven. As Windsor Castle is an historic building, the floors may be uneven and visitors should take care.
Visual aids
Orders of Service, Hymn books and Psalters are available in large print for use in Services in St George’s Chapel. Some Orders of Service are available in Braille.
Tactile boards with materials and fabrics used in the structure and decoration of the Castle are available. Please ask a member of staff if you wish to use them.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals are welcome and water is available on request.
Shops
There are four shops at Windsor Castle, they are located in the Courtyard, Middle Ward, Engine Court and Lower Ward. All shops are on one level and accessible, with stone flooring. Middle Ward shop is the largest with easy access and plenty of room to manoeuvre.
In St George's Chapel, the Cloister shop is on a level with stone flooring.
Toilets
Accessible toilets are located at the Admission Centre, on the North Terrace and in Engine Court and are locked with a RADAR key. Please ask a Warden to unlock them if you do not have your own key.
For more information or to feed back please e-mail [email protected]
