Windsor Castle: A Visitor's Guide to the World's Oldest Royal Home

A short journey west of the capital, above a gentle bend in the Thames, stands a castle unlike any other. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and after nearly a thousand years it remains exactly what William the Conqueror intended it to be: a fortress, a palace and a home for the sovereign.

What sets Windsor apart from the great castles of Europe is that life still happens within its walls. This is no preserved ruin or museum piece behind a velvet rope. It is a working royal residence, used for state visits, ceremony and quiet weekends alike, and that living quality gives every visit a particular thrill.

For anyone with a love of pageantry, architecture or simply a very good story, Windsor rewards the day generously. Here is how to make the most of it.

Nearly a thousand years of history

Windsor Castle was begun by William the Conqueror in the eleventh century, chosen for its commanding position above the river and its easy reach of London. He raised an earth-and-timber motte-and-bailey fortress; later monarchs rebuilt it in stone and embellished it across the centuries, turning a Norman stronghold into a vast and magnificent royal palace.

Forty monarchs have called Windsor home, which means that to walk its grounds is to move through almost the entire span of English and British royal history. Edward III, born at the castle, founded the Order of the Garter here in 1348. Charles II reshaped the state rooms in lavish Baroque style. Successive sovereigns added towers, terraces and apartments, each leaving a layer of their own taste upon the whole.

That long accumulation is part of Windsor’s magic. Few places on earth let a visitor stand in one spot and feel so many centuries pressing gently in at once, all of it still beautifully cared for and very much in use.

The State Apartments

The lavish State Apartments are the highlight for most visitors, and rightly so. These grand reception rooms are hung with treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Canaletto and Holbein, displayed amid gilded ceilings, fine furniture and arms and armour.

Because the rooms are still used for ceremonial occasions and state visits, they retain a sense of being thoroughly alive. Visitors pass through St George’s Hall, where state banquets are held beneath the painted arms of every Knight of the Garter, and through a sequence of rooms restored with great craft after the fire of 1992.

It is worth lingering. The route reveals the working machinery of monarchy at its grandest, and the sheer quality of what hangs on the walls makes the State Apartments one of the finest art experiences in the country. Allow plenty of time to take it in slowly rather than at a march.

St George’s Chapel

The exquisite St George’s Chapel is the spiritual heart of the castle and a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. Its construction was begun in 1475 by Edward IV and completed under Henry VIII in 1528, and its fan-vaulted ceiling and soaring quire reward an unhurried look upward.

The chapel is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British chivalry, founded by Edward III in 1348. The stalls of the quire are hung with the banners and crests of the present Knights and Ladies, a vivid display of heraldry stretching back across the centuries.

St George’s is also the resting place of monarchs. Eleven sovereigns lie here, among them Henry VIII, Charles I and George VI. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest in the chapel in September 2022, together with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in the King George VI Memorial Chapel. For many, this quiet corner is the most moving part of the whole visit.

Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House

Among Windsor’s many wonders, one of the most enchanting is the smallest. Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is the largest and most famous dolls’ house in the world, created between 1921 and 1924 for Queen Mary, consort of King George V, by the celebrated architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Built to a perfect 1:12 scale, it is a complete aristocratic residence in miniature, with working electricity, running water and tiny lifts that truly operate. More than 1,500 of the finest artists and craftspeople of the day contributed, from a working gramophone to a library of original miniature books written by leading authors of the age.

The detail rewards close attention: vintage wines in the cellar, monogrammed linen, a garden by Gertrude Jekyll. In 2024 the dolls’ house celebrated its centenary, a reminder that this jewel of the Royal Collection has been delighting visitors for a hundred years. Children and grown-ups tend to fall equally under its spell.

The Changing of the Guard

Few sights capture the ceremony of Windsor quite like the Changing of the Guard. The Guard at Windsor Castle is found by the regiments of the Household Division, and watching the handover, with a regimental band and the precise drill of soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskins, is a free and memorable spectacle.

The ceremony usually takes place at 11:00, with timings that vary by season, so it is wise to confirm the schedule before setting out. On certain days the New Guard marches up the hill and through Windsor town to the castle, a stirring procession well worth catching from the streets below as well as within the walls.

Arriving a little early helps secure a good vantage point, as crowds gather quickly on ceremony days. Because Windsor is a working residence, the arrangements can change at short notice, so a quick check of rct.uk before the day saves disappointment and lets you build the rest of your visit around it.

The Long Walk and Windsor town

Beyond the castle gates lies one of England’s most majestic avenues. The Long Walk runs for roughly two and a half miles in a tree-lined sweep from the castle’s south front to Snow Hill, where an equestrian statue of George III, known affectionately as the Copper Horse, surveys the scene. Created during the reign of Charles II, it offers a postcard view back to the castle that has thrilled visitors for generations.

It is a glorious stroll in any season, framed by the ancient oaks of Windsor Great Park and often graced by grazing deer. Many visitors walk a stretch simply for the view, then turn back towards the town.

Windsor itself deserves time too. The cobbled streets below the castle are full of inviting tea rooms, pubs and independent shops, and across the river the historic town of Eton, home to the famous college, makes an easy and charming addition. A day at Windsor can be as much about the wider royal town as the castle at its heart.

Planning your visit and tickets

Windsor Castle is open to visitors throughout much of the year, though as a working royal residence parts may close at short notice for official events and ceremonies. Opening days and times vary by season, so it always pays to plan around the official guidance rather than assume.

Tickets are sold through the Royal Collection Trust, and booking in advance is strongly recommended, particularly in summer and during school holidays. Adult admission sits around the £48 mark, with reduced rates for young people, children and visitors with disabilities, and under-fives admitted free; a £1 ticket scheme is offered to those receiving Universal Credit and certain other benefits. Prices are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current rate when booking.

Allow a good half-day to do the castle justice, and longer if you wish to enjoy the Long Walk and the town as well. The multimedia tour, included with admission, is an excellent companion. Above all, check rct.uk for current prices and to confirm the castle is open before you travel, as it closes for official events.

Most visitors see Windsor as a day trip rather than an overnight stay. Our guide to planning a Windsor Castle day trip from London covers the trains, timing and where to base yourself.

A castle that still lives

What lingers after a day at Windsor is not simply its scale or its treasures, remarkable as they are, but the sense of a place where history has never quite finished happening. The sovereign still comes here; the Garter knights still process; the guard still changes. Few visits offer such a vivid connection between Britain’s past and its present.

Whether drawn by the art of the State Apartments, the quiet grandeur of St George’s Chapel or the miniature perfection of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, every visitor leaves Windsor with a deeper feeling for the long and living story of the British monarchy. Browse our Royal Places & Events stories to discover more of the palaces, gardens and great occasions where Britain’s royal heritage comes beautifully to life.

Frequently asked questions

Is Windsor Castle really the oldest occupied castle in the world?

Yes. Windsor Castle is recognised as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, founded by William the Conqueror in the eleventh century and still in use as a royal residence today.

How much does it cost to visit Windsor Castle?

Adult admission is around £48, with reduced prices for young people, children and visitors with disabilities, and free entry for under-fives. A £1 ticket scheme is available to those on Universal Credit and certain benefits. Always check rct.uk for current prices.

Is Queen Elizabeth II buried at Windsor Castle?

Yes. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest in St George’s Chapel in September 2022, alongside Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within the chapel.

Can you see the Changing of the Guard at Windsor?

Yes. The Changing of the Guard takes place at Windsor Castle, usually at 11:00, with the schedule varying by season and day. Confirm the timings on rct.uk before your visit, as arrangements can change.

How long should I spend at Windsor Castle?

Allow at least half a day to enjoy the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House without rushing. Add extra time if you would like to walk part of the Long Walk or explore Windsor town and Eton.

Do I need to book Windsor Castle tickets in advance?

Booking in advance through the Royal Collection Trust is strongly recommended, especially in summer and during school holidays, to guarantee entry on your chosen day.

What is there to see beyond the castle?

The Long Walk, a tree-lined avenue of roughly two and a half miles, leads from the castle towards Windsor Great Park and the Copper Horse statue. Windsor town and nearby Eton, home to Eton College, also make a charming addition to the day.

Is Windsor Castle ever closed to visitors?

Yes. As a working royal residence, Windsor Castle may close at short notice for official events and ceremonies, and opening times vary by season. Check rct.uk before you travel to confirm it is open.

Sources: Royal Collection Trust (rct.uk) and the official website of the Royal Family (royal.uk). Opening times, ticket prices and closures change, and the castle closes for official events, so always check rct.uk for current prices and to confirm the castle is open before you visit.