• There is a lot to see and do at Windsor Castle, so please allow enough time to make the most of your visit. We suggest between 1½ and 2 hours.
• The Castle is at the top of a steep hill, and the visitor route covers long distances. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes.
• St George’s Chapel closes at 16:00, although visitors are welcome to attend evensong at 17:15. The Chapel is also closed to visitors on Sundays but worshippers are welcome to attend services.
• As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, sometimes the entire Castle or the State Apartments within the Castle need to be closed at short notice. Please check closure dates in advance.

Security screening

On arrival, you and your belongings will be subject to airport-style security checks. Try to bring as little as possible with you as it will help you to get through security screening more quickly.

Just as at the airport, please remove all metal objects from your pockets before going through the security arch. For efficiency, we advise packing cameras, phones, keys and wallets in your bag before placing the bag through the security scanner.

Luggage

All bags and pushchairs must be taken around with you in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Please note that very large suitcases and heavy luggage may only be permitted at the discretion of our staff, and provided the items are able to pass through the security scanner.

Large backpacks and pushchairs are not permitted in the State Apartments. There is a secure cloakroom in the China Museum at the entrance to the State Apartments for the storage of these items while you visit. Please bear in mind that the walk from the Admission Centre to the cloakroom takes approximately 10 minutes and is largely uphill, and that there is a flight of stairs to negotiate once you arrive at the entrance to the State Apartments.

If you are planning to visit Windsor Castle on your way to or from the airport we strongly recommend using left luggage facilities at the airport or in central London.

You may carry handbags and use pacemakers, hearing aids and other electrical or electronic equipment needed for health reasons. Please approach a member of staff if you have any concerns or require assistance.

Animals

Animals, other than guide, hearing or assistance animals, will not be admitted. 

Restricted and prohibited items

Neither smoking nor vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes) are permitted anywhere in Windsor Castle.

Some items must be checked in and reclaimed at the end of the visit. Other items may not be brought into the Castle at all. 

The following items must be checked in on arrival and reclaimed at the end of your visit:

• Pen knives and knives with blades under 7.7cm (3”)
• Scissors
• Kirpans (the Sikh article of faith) where the blade exceeds 7.7cm (3”)
• Alcoholic drinks in sealed containers
• Paints/aerosols

The following items may be brought into the Castle grounds but must be checked in at the cloakroom when touring the State Apartments:

• Large bags that can fit through airport-style security scanners
• Long umbrellas
• Pushchairs and buggies (baby-carriers and hip-carriers are available to borrow, subject to availability)

The following items may not be brought into Windsor Castle:

• Bicycles, folding bikes, roller-skates or skateboards
• Large bags that cannot fit through airport-style security scanners
• Drones

The following items are unlawful to carry in a public space in the United Kingdom and may be confiscated from you if you attempt to bring them into the Castle:

• Knife with a blade over 7.7cm (3”)
• Knife with a lockable blade (unless you have a reasonable excuse for having it with you)
• Butterfly knife
• Flick knife
• CS or pepper sprays

Visitor route

For safety and security reasons, a one-way system operates along the visitor route inside the Castle.

 

​As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice. Check closure details.

There is no visitor car parking at Windsor Castle, so we recommend you use public car parks in the town centre. Details about parking in Windsor town centre can be found on www.windsor.gov.uk

Or travel by public transport.

Photography and filming including wearable devices are not permitted inside the State Apartments or St George's Chapel. The use of drones is not permitted anywhere in Windsor Castle.

Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes are encouraged in the outside areas of the Castle Precincts. We love seeing your photos on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – tag us with your best shots using #WindsorCastle.

No parts of Windsor Castle may be used as the setting for wedding photography.

Applications for commercial filming should be submitted through this application form.

Out of consideration to other visitors, we ask that you only make or answer phone calls outdoors.

To make the most of your time at Windsor, pick up one of the free multimedia guides at the start of your visit. You are welcome to use your own standard wired headphones if you prefer.

Our multimedia guides are available in:

• English
• Brazilian Portuguese
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Mandarin Chinese
• Russian
• Spanish
• British Sign Language (BSL) with subtitles

The tour is introduced by His Majesty The King and takes you through the Castle Precincts, the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel. The commentary provides a lively guide to the Castle’s history, from William the Conqueror, through medieval expansion, George IV’s gothic transformation and The King’s use of the Castle today.

Along the route, staff of the Royal Household explain the role of the Castle today as an official residence of The King and talk about their work, from arranging a State Banquet for 160 guests to restoring the historic interiors following the devastating fire of 1992. Woven into the tour are the unique sounds of the Castle, from the music of St George’s Chapel choir to tunes played by the organ inside an historic clock.

Family multimedia tour

Aimed at children aged 7-11, available in English.

Collect your handset and listen to our guide, Scorch the dragon, take you on a tour through the Castle with a range of games and interactive features.

Tour for blind and partially-sighted visitors

An audio-descriptive tour in English is available for blind and partially-sighted visitors.

The tour provides information about Windsor Castle as well as directions and location information to assist visitors throughout their visit.

Tour for D/deaf and hard of hearing visitors

The general tour is available in British Sign Language as a video tour. Subtitles are included. For hard of hearing visitors the multi-media handsets are T-coil compatible and equipped with volume control and neck loops are also available on request. Please note that the technology is not compatible with all hearing aids – a printed version of the multimedia guide script is available on request.

The Undercroft Café serves freshly prepared meals, including sandwiches, wraps and salads, alongside an exclusive selection of teas and sweet treats.  

There is a water fountain for refillable water bottles in the outdoor area after you exit the Security Hall.

Eating and drinking is not permitted in the State Apartments or St George's Chapel, with the exception of bottled water. 

Pushchairs can be used around the Castle grounds, but will need to be checked in at the cloakroom before entering the indoor areas. They can be collected once you have finished touring the State Apartments. Baby carriers and hip seats can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability.

Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere within the Castle.

Toilets and baby-care facilities are located after the Security Hall near the start of your visit, on the North Terrace before the entrance to the State Apartments, and next to the Undercroft Café. Ask a member of staff if you need assistance.

Find out more tips to enjoy your visit with your children in our Children and Families section.

Toilets, baby-care facilities and accessible toilets are available after the Security Hall near the start of your visit, on the North Terrace before the entrance to the State Apartments, and next to the Undercroft Café. Accessible toilets are locked with a RADAR key, so please ask a member of staff to unlock them if you do not have your own key. Our Changing Places facility is available on Engine Court, please ask a member of staff for directions.

Windsor Castle is fully accessible. Concessionary rates are available if you have a disability and a companion is admitted free of charge.

Enjoy free re-admission for a year by converting your ticket to a 1-Year Pass.  

Before leaving the Castle, you will have the opportunity to ask an Admissions Assistant to stamp your ticket to convert it into a 1-Year Pass. If you have printed your ticket, print and sign your name in the spaces provided before arriving.

The location for stamping 1-Year Passes occasionally changes, but it is currently in the Moat Room next to where you pick up your multimedia guide. 

Find out how to book using an existing 1-Year Pass.

Admission to Windsor Castle is free for Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Advantage Card holders. You are able to book in advance or turn up on the day. If you turn up on the day, admission will be provided on the next available timeslot, subject to availability.

To book in advance please call the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)303 123 7304. Please note that a £2.00 transaction fee is payable on all telephone bookings.

Your pre-booked tickets will be available for collection from the ticket counter on the day of your visit upon presentation of the correct number of valid Advantage Cards.

Only cards with a photograph of the cardholder and an in-date expiry date will be accepted, if your card does not contain all of these, please apply for a new card via the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead website. Children must have their own card.

With an MOD90 or a Defence Discount Scheme (DDS) card there is free admission once per year with up to 4 guests at all Royal Collection Trust sites. Your entry must be after 12 noon.

We recommend that you book your tickets in advance for Windsor Castle. To book in advance please call the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)303 123 7304. Please note that a £2.00 transaction fee is payable on all telephone bookings.

Your pre-booked tickets will be available for collection from the ticket counter on the day of your visit upon presentation of the correct identification.

You can also get tickets on the day of your visit by presenting your MOD90 or DDS card at the ticket counter, subject to availability. At the ticket counter you can only obtain tickets for the same day and we’re unable to issue tickets for future dates. Please be aware that you may need to queue and that entry is subject to availability.

For more details please speak to our ticketing team at [email protected] or +44 (0)303 123 7304.