Windsor Castle

Overview

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.

St George's Chapel* (Closed Sundays)

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.

NEW DISPLAY: 100 years of Queen Mary's Dolls' House (Throughout 2024)

Throughout 2024, celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle, the largest and most famous dolls’ house in the world.
In the magnificent Waterloo Chamber get up close to some of the tiny treasures usually contained within the Dolls’ House.
The items range from a tiny concert grand piano, fully strung and with functioning keys, to miniature Crown Jewels inset with real diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and seed pearls.
Items from the kitchens and servants’ quarters include a vacuum cleaner, which was a relatively new innovation in the 1920s; and a sewing machine, complete with thread and minuscule scissors that can actually cut.
You can also see a display of miniature books created in celebration of the centenary as part of your visit to Windsor Castle. The new books include a miniature version of The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
A special centenary display is included with general admission.


Windsor Castle Opening Times

Windsor Castle is open Thursday to Monday, with a few exceptions when the Castle is in use for official functions.

March – October
Thursday to Monday, 10:00-17:15 (last admission 16:00)

November – February
Thursday to Monday, 10:00-16:15 (last admission 15:00)

Changes to regular opening times
11 November 2024 - Last admission timeslot 14:00 – 14:30, Castle closes at 16:00.
16 December 2024 - Last admission timeslot 13:30 – 14:00, Castle closes at 15:15

Castle completely closed
26 December 2024
9 – 13 January 2025
25 – 26 December 2025

St George's Chapel*
St George’s Chapel is usually open for visitors on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Closed Sundays. Visitors to the Castle on Sundays will not be able to enter the chapel or view the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II.
Access to St George’s Chapel may be limited on busy days.

Semi-State Rooms
During the winter months an additional five rooms, known collectively as the Semi-State Rooms, are included in the visitor route.
The Semi-State Rooms at Windsor Castle are currently open until spring 2025.

Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House
Access to Queen Mary's Dolls' House may be limited on busy days.



Images: Royal Collection Trust / © HM King Charles III 2024.