Windsor Castle

Occupying over 10.5 hectares, the Castle offers a varied day out for visitors, including a visit to the magnificent State Apartments and St George's Chapel. The Castle's State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works from the Royal Collection, reflecting the changing tastes of the Castle's royal occupants, particularly those of Charles II and George IV.

Among the masterpieces on display are paintings by Holbein, Rubens, and Van Dyck, Sèvres porcelain, and exquisite English and French furniture. Many of the works of art are still in the historic settings for which they were first collected or commissioned by the kings and queens who have lived at Windsor.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Castle with a free multimedia tour. In the winter months, visitors can also walk through the sumptuous Semi-State Apartments*, which served as the private rooms of George IV in the 19th century.

Refreshments can be enjoyed in the Undercroft Café, situated in one of the oldest medieval parts of the Castle.

Windsor Castle closures:

• 6-7 May 2023 – Castle closed.
• 11 June 2023 - No entry before 12:00
• 18 June 2023 - The State Apartments in the Castle will be closed
• 19 June 2023 – Castle closed.
• 25 December 2023 - Castle closed

Set within the grounds of Windsor Castle, St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. Construction of the present Chapel began in 1475 under the reign of Edward IV. When visiting, make sure you look up and admire the stone ceiling, which was added by Henry VII.

The Chapel has been the location of many royal weddings, including TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr. Jack Brooksbank.

The Chapel is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British Chivalry established in 1348 by Edward III.

Within the Chapel are the tombs of 11 monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, George VI, Henry VIII, and Charles I.

St George’s Chapel is usually open for visitors on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:15 (last entry 16:00).
Closed on Sundays.
Access to St George’s Chapel may be limited on busy days.

Exceptions are as follows:

29 April - Opening at 13:00
7 July - Opening at 11:00
22 July - Closing at 13:00
4 December - Closing 13:00
8 December - Opening 11:00
23 December - Closing 13:00

Catch a typical display of British pomp and pageantry at the Changing of the Guard ceremony, a colourful spectacle that takes place on select mornings. During this ceremonial handover, guard duties are handed over between two groups of guards drawn from the Household Division, one of Britain's most elite military units.

The guards look resplendent in their distinctive red tunics and bearskin hats in a display that should be on everyone's agenda during a visit to Windsor Castle.