Windsor Castle, the home to royalty and a millennium of glorious history, is the official residence of the British Queen and her family. It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world that is presently used by the Queen on the weekends for official and private duties. The Castle features palatial territories like The State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel and Semi-State Rooms that are open for tourists.
Located at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, Windsor Castle is the royal residence of British kings and queens. The original castle, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, protected Norman dominance near London. Explore this historic fortress, boasting a 1000-year legacy and having housed 39 monarchs. If you're considering Europe travel packages, make sure to include a visit to the Windsor Castle in your itinerary.
Spread over 5 hectares of land, Windsor Castle is an architectural marvel that boasts of magnificent buildings and regal interiors. The commanding towers are so huge that they can be seen from anywhere in the city. There are two big courtyards, the Middle Ward and Upper Ward, each with its own colossal structures. You can visit the St. George’s Chapel inside the Castle which is an active centre of worship that is still used for prayers and weddings. Windsor Castle is used today by the Queen who visits every weekend for private obligations as well as to host State Visits of overseas Presidents.
Highlights
• Visit the magnificent Windsor Castle and take a quick tour around the royal residence of the British lords and Queens.
• Witness the new group of soldiers marching in red coats and replacing the old soldiers in during the historic ‘Changing the guard’ event which is a significant ceremony with military purpose.
• See the beautiful doll house made for Queen Mary which is the replica of a luxurious house furnished with electricity, lifts, fresh hot water and a library with 700 small books.
• Go on a small trip through the splendid St. George’s Chapel and be mesmerised at its finest Gothic architectural style and see the tombs of eminent British rulers.
• Visit the State Apartments and catch a glimpse of the beautiful paintings on the roof, intricate carvings and gorgeous artworks adorning the place.
• Take a relaxing Long Walk in the Windsor Great Park that spans nearly six miles in the Castle Grounds.
How To Reach
By Train: Board a train at the London Paddington station and exit at Windsor & Eton Central from where you can walk to Windsor Castle in 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a train from London Waterloo, alight at Windsor & Eton Riverside and walk to Windsor Castle.
By Bus: Take a bus on Green Line 702 from the Victoria Bus Station that drops you at Windsor right in front of the palace.
By Car: You can drive directly to Windsor Castle from the London city centre but traffic is quite high and the tolls as well as parking fee are exorbitantly expensive.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Windsor Castle is during the weekdays as the place gets a little crowded during the weekends. If you want to witness the historic ritual of the changing of the guard at 11 AM, visit Windsor Castle by morning or go by noon to avoid the tourist crowds.
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Other Essential Information
- Visitors have to go through a security check at the entrance of Windsor Castle. Large bags, backpacks and sharp objects are not permitted inside the Castle. Make sure you visit without any of them.
- Consuming food and water is not allowed inside St. George’s Chapel but water with lids can be used in State Apartments. You can purchase water and beverages from the small cafe on the ground.
- Taking photos and video inside the State Apartment, St. George’s Chapel and Semi-State Rooms are not allowed but you can click pictures elsewhere in the Windsor Castle.
- Windsor castle has about 1000 rooms and hence opt for an audio guided tour to make the best of your visit to the Castle.
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St. George’s Chapel
St. George’s Chapel is a Gothic style Cathedral founded by King Edward III in 1348. Regarded as the most beautiful Church in England, the Chapel is also the home to the burial grounds of ten British Kings including George III and Henry VIII. The impressive interiors, vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows and banners of the royal family at the Chapel are sure to enthral your senses.
The State Apartments
The State Apartments is a wonderful arrangement of rooms that was created by Charles II when he modernised the insides of the Castle. You can spend a great time here looking at the Royals’ collection of armour and art. Witness the beautiful paintings by Antonio Verrio on the ceiling, ornate carvings by Grinling Gibbons and masterpiece artworks by Van Dyck, Holbein, and Rubens. The State Apartments are open for visitors only when the Queen is not in her residence.
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Semi-State Rooms
Semi-State Rooms that were built by George IV as his private apartment are now used by the Queen for her official work. The rooms are well known for their finest Georgian interiors, the blend of Gothic, Classic and Rococo style of architecture and classy furnishings. This part of the Castle was heavily demolished by the fire of 1992 but was restored with the same elegance as the original.
Changing the Guard
Be a part of the notable Changing the Guard event at Windsor Castle which is an important military ceremony. During the event, you can see a group of soldiers who are currently protecting Buckingham Palace are replaced by a new group who take over the authority and obligations. The event is 45 minutes long and takes place at 11 AM on all Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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Queen Mary’s Doll House
Queen Mary's Doll House is an iconic attraction at Windsor Castle that features a miniature doll house made for Queen Mary. It is a 1:12 scale model of an aristocratic town house in the 1920s that was designed by Edwin Lutyens a. The doll house looks as true to life as possible with electricity, working lifts, running water and a library with 700 miniature books.
The Grand Reception Room
Once used as a ballroom, the Grand Reception Room is the most stunning highlight of Windsor Castle with alluring chandeliers and antiques. You can see gold-covered walls and ceiling that will dazzle you and do not miss seeing the huge malachite urn that was presented to Queen Victoria. This room was severely damaged in the 1992 fire but was reestablished to its former glory.
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