Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years and is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. In 2018, the Castle provided a spectacular backdrop to two royal weddings, which took place in St George’s Chapel.
See the magnificent State Apartments furnished with some of the greatest paintings from the Royal Collection.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Castle with a free multimedia tour. From September to March, visitors can also walk through the sumptuous Semi-State Apartments, which served as the private rooms of George IV in the 19th century..
Windsor Carriages
How about a horse-drawn carriage ride through Windsor Great Park ? Tours will take you on a magical journey through parkland, ancient oak forests, wide open deer parks, all whilst enjoying spectacular views of the magnificent Windsor Castle as you journey down the famous Long Walk, following in the footsteps of the Royal Family. Windsor Carriages operate by the kind permission of the Crown Estate since 1849. The only company to operate carriages, for private hire, on The Long Walk at Windsor Castle and throughout The Great Park. Join us for your special occasion or book one of our scheduled trips and enjoy 'A Great park Experience' with Windsor Carriages.
Windsor Duck Tours
On land and water !
Explore, laugh, learn, and experience Royal Windsor in all its beauty aboard a unique 60 minute amphibious sightseeing tour.
See some of Windsor’s most talked about sights, absorb interesting facts about the town and be entertained by an action packed live commentary before the sensational splashdown into the River Thames! Cruising down the river taking in breath-taking views of Windsor Castle is not something you’ll forget in a hurry.
All tours begin in the heart of Windsor, at the base of the towering Windsor Castle. From there your journey is decided by the tour you have chosen.
The Swan Splash tour makes a B-line to the River Thames to gain maximum time on the water.
The Mallard tour is 50/50 between road and river, if you’d like to explore more.
Changing the Guard
Changing the Guard is a colourful spectacle of British pageantry, but also has a military purpose. The ceremony takes place to allow the handover of duties between two groups of guards. The privilege of guarding the monarch traditionally belongs to the Household Troops, better known as ‘the Guards’, who have carried out this duty since 1660. When can I watch the ceremony? The ceremony can be watched by Castle visitors on Thursdays and Saturdays. The guards arrive at the Castle just before 11:00, but the schedule can change, check the British Army website for details. The guards march through Windsor town into the Castle, where the guard change takes place. To watch the full ceremony inside the Castle you will need to purchase an admission ticket.
Getting to Windsor
Road Directions
Windsor is just 30 miles west of London and is easily accessible via the major motorway networks. From M3 exit at junction 3 (bagshot); from M4 exit at junction 6 for Windsor; from M25 exit at junction 13 (Egham) and from M40 exit at junction 4 (Marlow) or junction 2 (Beaconsfield). Long stay car parks are located at Romney Lock, King Edward VII Avenue and Alexandra Gardens. All are cheaper than the more central (shopper) car parks and are less than a 10-minute walk to Windsor Castle.
Public Transport Directions
Windsor is served by two train stations, Central and Riverside. Both are situated within a few minutes’ walk of Windsor Castle. First Great Western operates services from London Paddington. Change at Slough on to the branch line that links with Windsor & Eton Central Station. South Western Railway operates direct services from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station. Journey time is approximately 55 minutes.
Places to Stay
Castle Hotel, Windsor
The grand Georgian building of Castle Hotel sits along the quintessentially English High Street of Windsor, in the Royal County of Berkshire. Having been dedicated to exceptional hospitality under many guises for more than 500 years, the hotel is steeped in a rich and fascinating history.
Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa
A 4-star riverside hotel comprised of several characterful buildings clustered around a historic cobbled street by Eton Bridge. Here you will find our collection of individually styled bedrooms, a modern conference centre and the Wren’s Club with a gym, outdoor jacuzzi and sauna.
The Old Farmhouse
The Old Farmhouse is a four star, silver award winning Bed and Breakfast in Windsor. Established ten years ago, it is a fifteenth century timber-framed house, set within elegant grounds, on the outskirts of Windsor, Berkshire. The local Conservation Officer has described the house as being one of the best examples of a timber-framed building in Berkshire. Surrounded by tranquil gardens, The Old Farmhouse offers four comfortable, en suite bedrooms with TV and Wi-Fi. Full English or Continental breakfast is served in the beamed dining room.
