Windsor Castle has been in continuous use as a royal residence for close to a thousand years, making it the oldest and largest occupied castle anywhere in the world. Perched above the River Thames not far from London, it remains a working royal residence today, which lends the visit a different charge than touring a purely historical ruin — this is a castle the monarchy still actually uses, and it shows in the detail and upkeep of every room.
Related: Windsor Castle Tours: Standard Entry or Guided Tour?
What to See and Do
St George’s Chapel
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture in its own right, this chapel has hosted royal weddings and funerals for centuries and serves as the burial place of numerous monarchs, including recent members of the royal family — one of the castle’s most moving stops.
The State Apartments
Lavishly decorated rooms used for official functions display artwork from the Royal Collection, including pieces by Rembrandt and Canaletto, alongside historic armor and furnishings that trace centuries of royal taste.
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House
An astonishingly detailed miniature house built in the 1920s, complete with running water and a working elevator at 1:12 scale, remains one of the castle’s most charming and unexpected highlights.
Changing of the Guard
On scheduled days, a guard-changing ceremony takes place within the castle precincts, similar in spirit to the one at Buckingham Palace but set against Windsor’s medieval walls — check the schedule since it doesn’t run daily.
Top-Rated Windsor Castle Tours & Experiences
Best Time to Visit
Windsor Castle occasionally closes certain sections for state events with little notice, so checking what’s open on your intended date before traveling out from London is worthwhile. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekend visits, especially during the busy summer tourist season.
How to Get There
Windsor is easily reached from London by direct train from Paddington via Slough, or from Waterloo with one change, in around an hour either way. It’s also a common half-day addition to itineraries that include nearby Eton or a broader day trip west of London.
Good to Know
Allow at least two to three hours to see the State Apartments, chapel, and grounds properly, and note that St George’s Chapel closes to visitors on Sundays for services. Audio guides are typically included with admission and are worth using, since the room-by-room history is dense and rewarding. Booking tickets online ahead of time helps avoid the entry queue, particularly in peak season.
Final Thoughts
Windsor Castle offers something few historic sites can: a genuinely lived-in royal residence with nearly a millennium of continuous history layered into its walls. It’s an easy, worthwhile day trip from London for anyone interested in the monarchy’s past and present.
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