As part of my work trip this past Spring, I was able to visit Windsor Castle. It’s about a 30 minute train ride from London, so it’s very accessible to get there for the afternoon.
History of Windsor
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Queen Elizabeth II enjoys spending holidays and weekends at Windsor, so it is still lived in and used by the Royal Family frequently.
Founded in the 11th century, Windsor has been used by 39 monarchs! In its lifetime, it has served as military headquarters during the English civil war, a prison for King Charles I, as well as a safe haven during the WWII air raids on London.
Windsor Castle Tickets
It costs 22.50 pounds to visit Windsor. On some occasions, when the Queen or Royal Family are using the castle, the price will be reduced to 12.90 pounds since you won’t have access to the State Rooms. Sometimes Windsor is shut down entirely due to the fact that it is still a working Royal Residence.
It is recommended that you pre-purchase your tickets, which you can do here. The website notes that the morning is the busiest time of day to visit the Castle, so this may be better suited for an afternoon trip from London.
Self Guided Tour
There are many highlights to see while visiting Windsor so it’s best to give yourself at least 3 hours there. They provide a multi-media device so you can listen to information throughout your self-guided tour. I followed the ‘Ceremonial Route’ when in the State Apartments, but there is also a ‘Historic Route’ as well. To read specifically about the differences between the two, click here. (Keep in mind you are not able to take photos while inside the State Apartments).
St. George’s Chapel
While touring the grounds, you can also enter St. George’s chapel. This is where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married in 2018. It’s important to note that the Chapel is closed on Sundays due to services held throughout the day so if it’s important for you to view, you’ll want to visit Windsor on another day.
Overall, I was blown away by Windsor Castle. It was much larger than I realized and it was fun recognizing the State Rooms from pictures I had seen of the Royal Family. I understand why the Queen would so frequently want to escape the hustle and bustle of London to stay here.
Cheers! Amanda
