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Last updated: 28 May, 2023
Expert travel writer: Annabelle Thorpe

A royal home and fortress for over 900 years, Windsor is the largest occupied castle in the world, and remains a working palace, with over 150 staff. Rumoured to have been Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite address – she spent most of her private weekends at the castle.

The ornate state apartments, lined with works of art by painters such as Van Dyck, Holbein and Rubens, were built for Charles II and his Queen, Catherine of Braganza, as an attempt to rival the achievements of his cousin, Louis XVI, at Versailles. Visitors can also see the semi-state rooms – the private apartments of George IV.

Don’t miss

The Changing of the Guard at Windsor is a spectacle worth seeing, with guards marching up to the castle complete with a band. It takes place at 11am on different days each month, and last 30 minutes. Check the website for specific dates and time your visit accordingly.

While you’re there 

A visit to Windsor gives you two classic slices of British history in one; alongside the castle, the town of Windsor is also home to Eton College, the UK’s most renowned boarding school and alma mater of twenty British Prime Ministers. Take a walk from the castle across the river and along Eton High Sreet, and you’ll find yourself stepping into a bygone era, with masters and boys from the world-famous school strolling past in gowns, with shopfronts that haven’t changed in over a century.

Follow the Eton Walkway, a 2-mile / one-hour circular walk, following bronze markers set into the pavement, that connects 18 points of interest in the town starting at Windsor Bridge.

Price from: £24
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Windsor is about a 1-hour drive from London. Trains from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside take about an hour.

Book tickets in advance on the website to guarantee entry. Allow about 1.5-2 hours for your visit.

Free audio tours are available with admission (take your own headphones if possible). Before you go, read the informative sections on the website about who built the castle and why and who has lived there.

When to do it

Windsor Castle is open all year round, Thursday to Monday. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. More rooms are open in the winter months.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London + Admission

London

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London + Admission
This wonderful day trip will take you to three of the UK’s most iconic locations - Royal Windsor Castle, mysterious Stonehenge and charming Bath. Make sure you are in Victoria for 7:30AM as your coach will be leaving at 8:00AM sharp! Highlights of the tour: • Discover three of the UK’s most famous attractions • Enjoy the opulence of Windsor Castle • Fall for the beautiful city of Bath • Walk around the historical Roman Baths • See if you can uncover the mystery of Stonehenge

Price: £79

Min age: 3

Rating 4.52 / 5 [2487 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London

London

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London
Windsor has been the home of Kings and Queens for centuries. Wander its cobbled streets and see the largest occupied castle in the world - home of the English and British monarchy for almost 1,000 years and today one of the official residences of His Majesty The King. Stonehenge is a must-see icon of England and, with a history spanning 4,500 years, has many different meanings to people today. Stonehenge is a wonder of the world, a spiritual place and a source of inspiration. Plus, discover the beautiful English city of Oxford, home to the world-famous university and incredible architecture dating back to Saxon times. - See the beautiful historic town of Royal Windsor - Visit Windsor Castle, the ancestral home of the British monarchy (if option selected) - Unravel the mystery of Stonehenge with an interactive audio map (if option selected) - Explore the beautiful city of Oxford with an expert guide - See the exteriors of the world-famous Colleges of Oxford University

Price: £79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [1025 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London

London

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London
See an official residence of The King and home of the British monarchy for more than 900 years*, explore the beautiful Georgian city of Bath and its ancient Roman Baths*, and uncover the mystery behind Stonehenge - the world's most famous Neolithic site.

Price: £95

Min age: 0

Rating 4.45 / 5 [10915 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford Day Tour from London

London

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford Day Tour from London
Enjoy three of England's most delightful destinations in just one day! Make sure you are in Victoria: Bus Stop 1, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London SW1W 9SR for 7:30am as your coach will be leaving at 8:00am sharp! Highlights of the day: • See what’s inside the King’s favourite weekend residence • Marvel at the stunning interiors of Windsor Castle • Get up close with the mystery of Stonehenge • Wander through the cobbled streets of Oxford

Price: £95

Min age: 3

Rating 4.32 / 5 [697 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock

London

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock
Explore the beautiful scenery of the English countryside on this full-day tour of Windsor, Stonehenge, Lacock and Bath. Head to Windsor, home of the British Royal Family famous for Windsor Castle. Over 900 years of royal history are waiting for you there. Continue onward to the 5,000-year-old prehistoric site of Stonehenge with a guide, and ponder over its use in centuries past. Visit the charming English village of Lacock for a traditional pub lunch, and finally, enjoy a coach tour of Georgian city of Bath as well as a short walking tour.

Price: £99

Min age: 3

Rating 4.33 / 5 [4348 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Windsor Castle and Stonehenge Extended Visit with Admission

London

Windsor Castle and Stonehenge Extended Visit with Admission
Enjoy an extended visit to the Queen's favourite royal residency, Windsor Castle. Discover all there is to know about Stonehenge with this extended visit to the world-famous, prehistoric monument. Highlights of the tour: • Extended visit to the Queen’s favourite royal residency Windsor Castle • Explore the State Apartments • See Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House • Explore artworks by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci • Extended access to the world-famous Stonehenge • Luxury air-conditioned vehicle • Enjoy an exclusive 25% discount on guide books at Stonehenge**! • Cancelled bookings up to 24 hours before travel receive a full refund

Price: £124

Min age: 3

Rating 4.24 / 5 [136 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Salisbury Cathedral

London

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Salisbury Cathedral
Thousands of years of British history are waiting to be discovered on this tour to Windsor Castle, Salisbury and Stonehenge! Travel from the capital with an expert guide in comfort and experience these historic attractions in one day. Highlights of the tour: • Entry to Mysterious Stonehenge • Entry to Salisbury Cathedral and see the famous Magna Carta • At Salisbury, guests will be met by a specialist Salisbury Cathedral guide and given an introductory talk before their tour. • Entry to Windsor Castle • Return transportation by luxury coach • Free Wi-Fi On Board Our Coaches* • Enjoy an exclusive 25% discount on guide books at Stonehenge**!

Price: £134

Min age: 3

Rating 4.35 / 5 [106 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, The City of Bath from London

London

Private Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, The City of Bath from London
Your driver/guide will collect you at 830am for this 10 to 12 hour tour and take you to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the City of Bath. There can be no better way to explore the Kings favourite home and the UK's most famous stone age monument and walk and explore the beautiful and romantic Roman City of Bath and see many of its amazing buildings. We know how to skip the long lines at each venue to ensure you make the best use of the time we have together. By having your own vehicle all day we can also stop whenever you need for breaks or to just grab that stunning countryside photo you spot! You will enjoy free 4G WIFI to use all day inside the vehicle. You will be provided with free water to enjoy inside the vehicle. You will even get to stop at a secret place along the way to ensure you really do get that WOW factor! Your driver/guide will know lots of history of each venue and the best places to stop to eat/drink, shop and get that perfect photo and will even take them for you

Price: £895

Min age: 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [260 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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