Rising majestically above the historic town of Windsor set alongside the River Thames, Windsor Castle has been home to British monarchs for over 900 years – 40 of them, to be precise.
The largest inhabited castle in the world is a favoured residential home of the current monarch, His Majesty The King, who often divides his time between the castle and his official home in London, Buckingham Palace.
To help you make the most of your trip to Windsor, we’ve put together this handy guide that includes essential information such as how to get there, how much it costs to get in, where to book tours of the castle and even throw in some interesting facts!
Windsor Castle Facts
Where is Windsor Castle?
Windsor Castle is located in the town of Windsor in Berkshire, England.
Who lives in Windsor Castle?
The castle is one of three official residences of His Majesty King Charles III and has been home to British Kings and Queens for almost 1,000 years.
How many rooms are inside Windsor Castle?
With around 1,000 rooms, the castle is one of the biggest residences in the world.
When was Windsor Castle built?
Construction began on the castle in 1070 AD and took 16 years to complete.
Who built Windsor Castle?
The castle was constructed by William the Conqueror to guard the western approach to London.
Did you know?
Some of Windsor Castle’s most fascinating facts:
- Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century as part of a defensive ring of fortifications surrounding London. However, it wasn’t until Henry I, William’s youngest son, that a monarch took up residence there, making it a royal home for the first time.
- To date, 40 monarchs have resided in Windsor Castle, including Queen Elizabeth II, who made it her primary residence during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world.
- The oldest glazed window, still intact, dates back to 1236, during the reign of King Henry III. This remarkable piece of medieval craftsmanship reflects the long-standing legacy of the castle’s architecture.
- The Great Kitchen at Windsor Castle holds the title of the oldest working kitchen in England and has been in continuous use for nearly 1,000 years. It has served meals to over 30 monarchs, including banquets for modern state occasions.
- A devastating fire broke out at Windsor Castle on November 20, 1992, destroying 115 rooms and about 20% of the castle grounds. It took five years and £36.5 million to restore the damage. This incident also prompted Queen Elizabeth II to open Buckingham Palace to the public to help fund the restoration.
- The castle’s St George’s Chapel, built in the late 15th century, is the resting place of several monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I, and Queen Elizabeth II.
- Windsor Castle’s Round Tower is built on an artificial mound and was initially designed for defense. Today, it houses the Royal Archives and offers some of the best views of the surrounding countryside.
- During World War II, Windsor Castle was a refuge for the royal family. Secret tunnels and fortified areas ensured the safety of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), and the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret during air raids.
Getting There
Is Windsor Castle in London?
No. The castle is located 22 miles (35 km) outside of London in Berkshire, England.
How much is the entrance fee to Windsor Castle?
Individual ticket prices for the 2025-26 season can be found below. Please note ticket prices do not include transport.
| Adult | £31.00 |
| Youth (18-24) | £20.00 |
| Child (5-17) | £15.50 |
How to get to Windsor Castle?
Windsor is easy to reach by car or public transportation from London, and travel time varies between 40 minutes and 1 hour.
Train – Windsor is served by two train stations, Windsor and Eton Central and Windsor and Eton Riverside. Which train station you’ll end up at depends on your chosen train operator, but each station is no more than 10 minutes from the castle.
Great Western Railway run services from Paddington Station in London to Windsor and Eton Central via Slough. As the train stops at Slough, you’ll need to get a connecting train through Windsor and Eton Central.
- Journey Time: 25-50 minutes (depending on connections and timings)
- Price: £10.90 (Adult) / £5.85 (Child)
South Western Railway operate services between Waterloo Station in London and Windsor and Eton Riverside. Unlike GWR trains, these trains do not involve a changeover and run directly into Windsor.
- Journey Time: 50 minutes
- Price: £10.80 (Adult) / £5.40 (Child)
Car
It is possible to drive to Windsor from London in about 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes via the A4 & M4 motorway/A40, although this depends entirely on road conditions on the day and the time of year. Depending on your route, you may also have to pay road tolls and a daily congestion charge of £15 to drive through Central London.
For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend travelling by car. However, if you do decide to make the journey by car and want to avoid toll charges, the A40 is the best option.
Day Tour by Coach
In our opinion, a guided tour of Windsor Castle from London is the best way to make the most of your trip to the castle. But why would you want to choose a guided tour?
- Hassle-free – pay one package price. No separate tickets
- Includes transport to and from Windsor
- Explore other historical sites on a fantastic full-day tour
- Stress-free – avoid planning your own transport
- Sevices of an expert tour guide
- Zero complications – no hidden/extra costs
- Free Wi-Fi onboard
- USB charging at every seat
Not to mention the fact that our Windsor Castle tours include stops at other historic locations such as Stonehenge and the Roman Baths and the beautiful city of Oxford.
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour
Discover three of England’s national treasures on this full-day tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Windsor Castle, an official residence of the King and home of the British monarchy for more than 900 years.
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford Tour
On this fantastic full-day tour, you can explore over 5,000 years of British history in one day, from the Neolithic period to Medieval England and the modern day.
You will visit a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 900-year-old home of the British monarchy, and a historic town home to one of the world’s most prestigious universities, with origins that can be traced back to the eleventh century—also known as ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’.
