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10 Things to Know Before Visiting Windsor Castle

If you’re looking for a taste of royalty, a visit to Windsor Castle is a must. As the current home of the British Royal Family, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with some of the most influential people in the world.

Take a tour of the castle grounds and learn about its rich history dating back to the 11th century. If you’re lucky, you might even see a member of the Royal Family! 

Windsor Castle is the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, making it a great place to visit. It has been home to many British monarchs throughout its history. The castle has been redecorated, enlarged, and rebuilt many times.  

Visitors can explore the State Apartments, learn about the history of the castle, and see the Queen’s guard change. And the best part is, the castle is still in a pristine state and looks magnificent as ever. 

10 Things to Know Before Visiting Windsor Castle 

To enjoy the tour of the castle to the fullest, there are a few things that you should definitely know. For your ease, we have prepared a list of ‘10 things to know before visiting Windsor Castle’ so that you don’t have to do the research. These points will make your day trip to Windsor Castle quite memorable.  

  • If you’re planning on visiting Windsor Castle, make sure to buy your tickets in advance. You can buy them online or at the ticket office. There are different types of tickets available for adults, young people, children, disabled people, and people traveling in groups. When the State Apartments are closed, the prices are altered a little. You can book your tickets on the official website. 
  • Sundays might not be the best day to go since many of the attractions, including St George’s Chapel, are closed. The Chapel has a service at 5:15 pm, but it’s not open to the public outside of that time. If you want to see everything the castle offers, it’s best to go during the week.  
  • Make sure you are there before 11 am if you want to observe the changing of guards. The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony that happens at Windsor Castle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11 am. You need to enter the castle to see the actual handover, but you can watch the Guards from inside the castle from GuideHall. Changing of Guards is an important ceremony that takes place inside the premises of the castle. If you are planning to visit the castle, better to visit it on the days of the ceremony to get a unique experience of everything this castle has to offer. 

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  • It is better to arrive by train and avoid all the parking woes. Windsor is a historic town, and as such, parking can be difficult to find. Your best bet is to use one of the two train stations located within easy walking distance of the castle. Once you’re in the town center, most of the attractions are within easy walking distance of each other.  
  • Here, you will be subjected to an airport-style security check, so make sure that you have ample time in hand. Come prepared for an extensive security check and purchase tickets in advance to avoid long queues.  
  • After your initial visit, you can visit Windsor Castle again for free for up to one year. So you can purchase two trips for the price of one. So, if you missed something on your first tour, you can always return to check it out on your second one. 
  • Although Windsor Castle is a tourist destination, it is still an operating castle. The opening hours for the castle reflect this, as the Queen still uses the castle for many ceremonial and state occasions. Depending on what is going on at the castle, all or part of it may be closed to visitors. When planning a trip to Windsor Castle, be sure to check the website for updated information on closures. For example- the Windsor Castle was definitely closed on the day of Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding. You get the gist, right? So, it is better to check the website for updated days and timings, instead of just showing up unannounced and getting disappointed. 
  • As a Royal residence, there are certain rules that must be followed while on the premises. For instance, photography and video recording are not allowed in the State Apartments or St George’s Chapel. Secondly, be sure to dress appropriately – no shorts or flip-flops allowed! And finally, expect large crowds during peak tourist season. 
  • If the Queen is in residence, you’ll see the Royal Standard flying above the Round Tower. If she’s not, then you’ll see the Union Flag instead. At Windsor Castle, you will have a brush with royalty like never before.  
  • Keep in mind that closing time and last entry time are two different things. Most people confuse the two. If you want to explore the palace, you need to arrive before the last entry time, because if you arrive at the closing time, you won’t be allowed inside. 

A visit to Windsor Castle is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Keep the points mentioned above in mind before planning your trip, and you should be good to go.

After completing your Windsor Palace tour, you can plan your next trip to another important historical site- Stonehenge. To book the best Windsor and Stonehenge tours Connect with Sightseeing Supermarket.