Windsor Castle
Berkshire, England
Photo: Diliff, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Julie Anne Workman, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Aurelien Guichard from London, United Kingdom (changes by Rabanus Flavus), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Royal Collection Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Windsor & Eton Riverside, 0.2 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Working royal residence
Pinpoint
Windsor SL4 1NJ
Telephone 0303 123 7304
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM |
The world's oldest and largest continuously occupied castle, and still a working royal residence - when the King is in, the Royal Standard flies over the Round Tower. Inside, the State Apartments are the draw: room after room of art, armour and gilt that reviewers consistently call a trip highlight, with the changing of the Guard adding some pageantry outside.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The State Apartments - reviewers rank them above almost everything else on site, though several say skip the doll's house if you're short on time.
Before you go
Budget more than an hour if you're paying full entry - reviewers who rushed through on a tight schedule felt it wasn't worth the ticket price, and photography isn't allowed inside.
What visitors say
Windsor Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 64,907 Google reviews
Reviewers are consistently impressed by Windsor Castle's grandeur, from the State Apartments to St George's Chapel, and several suggest booking tickets in advance and arriving early to beat the crowds and see the Dollhouse before the queues build.
Multiple visitors note that photography isn't permitted inside the castle itself, and opinions vary on how much time to allow, from a couple of hours hitting the highlights to a full day.
“The castle is amazing! Could probably skip the doll house if short on time. The state apartments are a sight to see, sadly no pbotos inside of the castle only the exterior. Got to see the changing of the Kingsguard.…”- Tim Krauss, visitor review
Within reach of London (21 miles) - see what else is nearby.
History
William the Conqueror · 11th century
William the Conqueror built Windsor Castle in the 11th century as a motte-and-bailey fortress. It has served every subsequent English and British monarch and evolved through multiple phases of rebuilding, becoming Europe's longest continuously occupied palace.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan your visit
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- How long to allow
- “You can easily spend a full day here or a morning if you are okay with just hitting the highlights.” - Jerry H
For your visit
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Gibsons Wandering Through Windsor 1000-Piece Puzzle
A 1,000-piece scene of Windsor town and castle together, made from recycled board, from one of the UK's best-established jigsaw makers. Something for the kids to enjoy during a full day exploring Windsor Castle.
Find it on Amazon
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STBoo Picnic Basket for 4 with Folding Table
Includes a fold-out mini table - useful on the uneven grass around a ruin where balancing plates directly on the ground doesn't really work. A good fit for a walk round the grounds.
Find it on Amazon
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Ion8 Water Bottle, 500ml, Leak Proof, Secure Lock
A secure-lock lid rated genuinely leakproof - safe to toss loose into a bag alongside a camera or guidebook. Keeps you going during a day out in Berkshire.
Find it on Amazon
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TINHAO Fit Over Glasses Sunglasses, Butterfly Oversized
Fits straight over prescription glasses - genuinely useful for the grandparents on a family castle trip who'd otherwise squint through the sunniest part of the walk. Good cover during a 4.7-star day out on a bright day.
Find it on AmazonCommon questions about Windsor Castle
Where is Windsor Castle?
Windsor Castle is in Berkshire, England, at Windsor SL4 1NJ.
Do you need a ticket to visit Windsor Castle?
Yes - Windsor Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Royal Collection Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Windsor Castle?
The State Apartments - reviewers rank them above almost everything else on site, though several say skip the doll's house if you're short on time.
Is Windsor Castle a ruin or still intact?
Windsor Castle is largely intact - Working royal residence.
