Entry to Windsor Castle

It follows that if you're an independent visitor during the summer months, a good strategy is to visit the other attractions of Windsor & Eton during the morning and visit the castle after lunch. Visitor numbers are also much higher at weekends than during the week.

Lastly, the castle may close for state visits etc. Do consult the Windsor Castle official web site, (link at top of page). This also states the days during the winter when changing of the guard takes place and seasonable closing times.

How Long To Visit Windsor Castle & Logistics

During the winter months when there are no queues the average visitor will take 90 minutes to 2 hours in the Castle, although the official Windsor Castle web site suggest 3 hours or more.

An audio tour is part of the admission price, available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Mandarin. You simply key in the number of the room or place you are in and a full commentary is given. There are many optional commentaries within some commentaries that go into great detail about individual items.

Inside Windsor Castle

There are also classic guided tours that leave regularly from near the entrance on a schedule.

No photography or video recording is allowed within the State Apartments or St George's Chapel. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel. You will be asked to place drinks and food in closed bags before being admitted to the Castle. You can purchase bottled water at the Courtyard Shop at the beginning of your visit.

At peak times during the summer there are often long queues to the entrance of the State Apartments.

On paying your admission you pass through airline style security where bags are put through an x-ray machine and you empty your pockets and pass through a detector door.

Once through the security you pick up your audio phone at the kiosk opposite. There is an information desk, toilets and gift shop here too. By the audio kiosk is a sign that details the times of the guided tours that day. It is from here these tours start.

Please note, the exit is from the main Windsor gateway, not the visitor entrance.

Changing of the Guard At Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle Changing Of The Guard

Many visitors like to time their visit so they can view the changing of the guard. This is very similar to that practiced in Central London at Buckingham Palace or Horseguards.

If you're not visiting the castle you can still see the band marching through the town around 11:00. The barracks is about 500m from the castle, the band passes the Guildhall and Old Town before turning into the castle at Queen Victoria's statue.

If you're in the castle, congregate in the parade ground by the main exit in front of St George's Chapel.

The whole thing takes around 30 minutes here.

State Apartments Windsor Castle

Most people after getting their introductions and briefings about the castle on their tour will make their way past the moat of the Round Tower (not open to the public) up to the north terrace. It is here that the entrance to the State Apartments is situated.

From the north terrace you gaze down to Windsor town below and get far reaching views of the surrounding countryside. Windsor town looks much smaller from up here.