A residence and fortress for almost 950 years, it is the oldest and largest continually occupied castle in the world and a must-see attraction. It's also very popular, so a bit of advanced planning for your visit won't go amiss. Here, and on the following pages, you'll find basic visitor information, plus my recommended highlights and some insider tips.
How to Get to Windsor Castle
The Castle is about 25 miles from Central London and easy to reach by car or public transportation.By train: Trains for Windsor leave roughly every 25 minutes from Paddington Station in London to Windsor & Eton Central Station. The journey takes between 25 and 40 minutes, changing trains at Slough and round trip tickets start at £8.50. Top Tip: Check National Rail Enquiries for more departure points, special promotions and combi-tickets offered by rail companies. By bus: Green Line Express Coaches (routes 701 and 702) travel between London Victoria Station and Windsor several times an hour. The journey takes about an hour and ten minutes and round trip fares start at £9. On a Tour: Many tours with transportation and admission can be arranged through your hotel or buy a Windsor Castle tour direct, before you leave home. By car: Take the M4 to exit 6, and follow signs to Windsor Town Center.
Top Tips:
- Parking lots fill up quickly during popular times of year so, if you must drive, arrive early.
- Choose the Long Stay Parking areas, which cost less than half the rate of short stay parking. You may have to walk about 20 minutes but it will be an interesting stroll.
Admission to Windsor Castle
Tickets: Ticket prices vary depending upon whether the Royal Apartments are open to visitors. The range of prices inclues adult, senior over 60, student, under 17 and family (for two adults and three children under 17. In addition, children under 5 are admitted free. Check the Royal Collection website for the latest prices. Top Tips:- Before you leave, register your tickets for unlimited re-entry for a full year from the date of your visit. This offer does not apply to tickets purchased as part of a tour package from a third party seller.
- Buy tickets online to save waiting time.
Opening Times at Windsor Castle
The castle opening hours reflect the fact that Windsor Castle is a working castle, used for many ceremonial and state occasions and weekend home of the Queen through most of the year. The basic opening hours are:- March to October - 9:45a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (last admission 4p.m.)
- November to February - 9:45p.m. to 4:15p.m. (last admission 3 p.m.)
