Castle Hill · Windsor · Berkshire SL4 1NJ · Working royal residence
Windsor Castle: check it's open
Windsor is not a museum, it is a working royal residence, and parts of it or all of it close at short notice when the Castle is being used. Nowhere else on this site can shut on you between booking and arriving, which makes checking before you travel the single most useful habit here.
The Royal Collection Trust publishes opening arrangements and closures. State occasions, ceremonial events and royal use can close the State Apartments, St George's Chapel or the whole Castle, sometimes with limited notice.
What can be closed
Not often, and often enough to be worth a look the day before.
When in use
Closed for state visits, receptions and royal use.
Sundays and services
Closed to visitors on Sundays and during services. This catches people out.
Occasionally
For major ceremonial occasions.
Weather and events dependent
Does not run every day, and can be cancelled. Check the schedule.
Kent to Windsor
Round the M25 to the west. The same run as our Windsor racing and horse show work.
| Pick-up area | Distance | Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Bromley & Orpington | 38 miles | 1h 5m – 1h 40m |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 41 miles | 1h 10m – 1h 45m |
| Dartford & Bluewater | 44 miles | 1h 15m – 1h 50m |
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 49 miles | 1h 20m – 2h |
| Maidstone & Aylesford | 56 miles | 1h 30m – 2h 10m |
| Rochester & Chatham | 59 miles | 1h 35m – 2h 15m |
| Canterbury & Ashford | 83 miles | 2h – 2h 45m |
Making a day of Windsor
The Castle is two to three hours. The town and the area fill the rest comfortably.
| What | Note |
|---|---|
| The Castle itself | State Apartments, St George's Chapel and the Doll's House. Two to three hours |
| Changing the Guard | When it runs. Check the schedule before setting the arrival time |
| Windsor town | Immediately below the Castle, with plenty to eat |
| The Long Walk | Into Windsor Great Park. A proper walk with the best view back |
| Eton | Across the bridge, and worth an hour |
A day at Windsor
Look at the opening arrangements the day before
It takes a minute and it is the one check that matters here. St George's Chapel closes to visitors on Sundays, the State Apartments close when the Castle is in use, and occasionally the whole thing shuts for a ceremonial occasion. Arriving to find the part you came for is closed is entirely avoidable.
Time the arrival around Changing the Guard
If that is part of why you are going, the schedule varies and the ceremony does not run every day. It also draws a crowd, which affects when to arrive rather than whether to. Tell us if you want to see it and we will set the drop-off accordingly rather than arriving at a sensible general time.
An hour from most of Kent, which surprises people
Windsor feels like a long way west and it is around an hour from Bromley and under two from most of the county round the M25. That makes it a comfortable day out with time for the town and the Long Walk as well as the Castle, rather than a rushed visit.
The town is more than a car park
Windsor below the Castle is a proper town with good places to eat, and Eton is across the bridge. A great many of our Windsor bookings include time for both, which costs nothing extra when built into the day and makes a considerably better outing than the Castle alone.
Windsor Castle questions
Openings, timings and the town.
Can Windsor Castle close unexpectedly?
Yes. It is a working royal residence, so the State Apartments, St George's Chapel or occasionally the whole Castle close for state and ceremonial use, sometimes at limited notice.
What is the most common closure to catch people out?
St George's Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays and during services. It is worth checking before you set the date.
Does Changing the Guard run every day?
No, the schedule varies and it can be cancelled. Check before you travel, and tell us if you want to see it so we time the drop-off.
How far is Windsor from Kent?
Around forty to eighty-five miles, roughly an hour from Bromley to two and three quarter hours from east Kent, round the M25.
How long does the Castle take?
Two to three hours for the State Apartments, the Chapel and the Doll's House. The town and the Long Walk fill a full day comfortably.
Is there parking?
Windsor town parking exists and fills, particularly in summer and at weekends. Being dropped avoids it entirely.
Can we visit Eton too?
Yes, it is across the bridge and worth an hour. A stop costs nothing extra when built into the day.
Is the fare fixed?
Yes, agreed at booking for the whole day including waiting.
Royal Windsor and palaces
The Berkshire day trips.