Top 10 Things to See At Windsor Castle
The historical residence of British royalty offers the ultimate royal experience. The Castle is available to the public all year long, and they will look forward to welcoming you and creating some unforgettable moments with you. Don’t forget to purchase discount tickets for Windsor Castle in advance to save disappointment on the day. You can also use the London Pass to get free entry to this attraction and many others inside London.
The Castle houses the Royal Family’s current State Apartments, historical chambers constructed for Charles II, and private apartments erected for George IV. These majestic rooms contain numerous well-known, must-see highlights, such as the enormous Waterloo Chamber, beautiful Crimson Drawing Room, and breathtaking Grand Staircase. You can also make your way to St Georges Chapel and find out about the famous burials at Windsor Castle. Here are some other things to keep an eye out for since there is so much royal history and splendour that it is possible to stroll right past some incredible gems.
Top 5 – Inside The Castle
Gaze at the Gold
Well, a royal house wouldn’t be complete without some gold! The lavish ceremonial halls that Queen Elizabeth II used to entertain visitors are beautiful. However, the Grand Reception Room, which is embellished with genuine gold and chandeliers, is the most spectacular. It previously served as the Castle’s principal ballroom. The huge urn, one of the biggest outside of Russia and one of Tsar Nicholas I’s gifts to Queen Victoria in 1839, is arguably the most remarkable item on exhibit.
View a Van Dyck
Stay for the masters; come for the magnificence! A trip to the Castle offers the chance to view some of the most impressive collections of paintings in existence, including works by Hans Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens. The impressive triple portrait of King Charles I by Anthony Van Dyck has to be one of the highlights. It’s interesting to see that on the left, guys are sporting long hair. Other exceptional artefacts are abundant throughout the Castle, such as magnificent furniture, vases, and sculpture.
Marvel at Mythical Paintings
Greater than kings and queens, what? Gods, naturally! Make your way around the old apartments that Charles II and Catherine of Braganza’s queen ordered erected. If you look up, you may view beautiful ceiling paintings by Antonio Verrio depicting myths. They are a sight to behold, complete with kings, queens, chariots, cherubs, and a banquet of the gods.
Be delighted by a Doll’s House
Don’t pass up the opportunity to experience tiny life at the renowned Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. The Dolls’ House, a surprising discovery within the Castle, was created by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1924 for Queen Mary to highlight the best artisans and artists of the day. You may peep inside the chambers to see the miniature furniture, artwork, literature, power, and running water there. What a wish from my youth! The Queen Mary Dolls’ House is currently shut down.
Keep the Kids Keen
Without a dragon, what good is a castle? In the kid-friendly version of our free multimedia tours, scorch the dragon aids in directing you around the Castle. There are other resources for parents as well, so be sure to check out the Moat Room to learn about the history of the Castle and the Pug Yard Learning Center on the castle grounds for art projects and temporary workshops, as well as a place for the family to have a picnic. See our family page for additional information.
Top 5 – Within the Castle Grounds
There is a café, St. George’s Chapel, and a chance to witness the guards in action on the castle grounds, so there is lots more to see and do there!
Savour Something Sweet
After a thrilling day at the Castle, do you need to recharge? At the Undercroft Café, unwind with a cool beverage or snack. Along with a special assortment of teas and sweet sweets, you may savour freshly made sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Enjoy the ice cream made with milk from the Jersey cow herd at the Royal Farms in Windsor as well!
Relive a Royal Wedding
Ever wished you could attend a royal nuptial? The 500-year-old mediaeval wonder St. George’s Chapel is located in the grounds of Windsor Castle. When you enter the Chapel, you can see the location of numerous royal nuptials, including that of HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr. Jack Brooksbank.
Henry VIII, Charles I, and Queen Elizabeth II are among the kings whose remains are interred there.
On Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, St. George’s Chapel is available to the public; Sundays are reserved for worshipers alone. The Chapel’s website has further information.
Greet the Guards
Seize the opportunity to see the colourful ritual of the Changing of the Guard, in which the new guard replaces the old. On Thursdays and Saturdays, visitors to the Castle can view the ritual. Please check the British Army website for specifics since the guards’ arrival time at the Castle is immediately before 11:00.
Treasure of Castle
Remember to take time out of your tour of the State Apartments and Semi-State Rooms to appreciate the different displays of things in each room and the paintings by several well-known painters hanging on the walls. These include the weapons and armour displayed in the Grand Vestibule, the lavish furnishings, and the fine china used at State Banquets.
Precincts Tour
Join a free 30-minute tour of the Castle Precincts when you first arrive at the Castle (the outside areas of the Castle). The tours are given by Wardens and leave from the Jubilee Bandstand at the beginning of the visit at regular intervals throughout the day.
The Precincts tour provides an overview of the Castle’s 1,000-year history as a fortification and palace and its current function as The King’s official home. The journey concludes at Henry VIII’s North Terrace’s State Apartment entrance, where you can take in breathtaking countryside views.
Interested in visiting Windsor Castle and finding out more interesting facts and theories?
Adults from: £20
Discount Windsor Castle Ticket
Windsor Castle is one of the most popular attractions in the UK. It is often fully booked and will stop selling tickets early in the day. To save disappointment can pre-book your tickets online and get a discount, plus a 24-hour cancellation policy.
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