About Windsor Castle

It is in Windsor, Berkshire, in the south of England, and is where the British monarch lives most of the time. The huge Round Tower, which Henry II built on top of a hill and can be seen from miles away, separates the Upper and Lower Wards. Even though William the Conqueror put up a stockade there first, the current building is a result of many changes. The Albert Memorial Chapel is part of St. George's Chapel in the lower ward, which is where the bodies of ten monarchs are buried. In 1992, a fire did a lot of damage to the upper ward, which has the kingdom's private apartments, apartments for guests, and the royal library. THere are various other places to see in Windsor Castle that will be discussed here.

Windsor Castle is available to the public five days a week. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You must buy tickets ahead of time if you want to go. People with a Royal Borough Advantage Card can purchase a ticket on the day of the event or by phone. The home of British kings and queens for more than a thousand of years, Windsor Castle is an important part of any trip to Windsor. Her Majesty the Queen spends almost all of her free time on the weekends at the 5.3-hectare (13-acre) Castle, which is the world oldest and largest inhabited castle.

What’s Inside Windsor Castle

Queen Elizabeth's favorite spot to stay on the weekends is Windsor Castle, which is located approximately 40 kilometers away from the hustle and bustle of London. People have been able to tour the historic castle ever since it was constructed in the 8th century. Back then, they traveled there by coach to view the opulent State Apartments. It is undeniably one of the most well-liked things to do in Windsor.

Windsor Castle State Apartments
Windsor Castle State Apartments

Windsor Castle has served as the primary residence of the royal family ever since it was first constructed in the 1100s by William the Conqueror. As you make your way around one of the best places to see in Windsor Castle, which are the State Apartments, you will come across portraits of each of the castle's 39 kings. The roof sculptures and furniture carvings that were done by Grinling Gibbons, who is known all over the world, are particularly noteworthy. These two undertakings were required to be carried out at the behest of King Charles II.

These residences contain a large number of rooms, some of which include the King's Dining Room, the Queen's Presence Chamber, and the Queen's Audience Chamber. As a direct consequence of this, a number of the royal residences are increasingly being applied by members of the royal family in order to host philanthropic and other types of activities.

St George’s Chapel
St George’s Chapel

The construction of the chapel began in 1475, at the time that Edward IV was in power and it is now among the most visited places to see in Windsor Castle. This is the location that you should go to if you've ever had the desire to visit the best places to see in Windsor Castle and observe a magnificent specimen of English Gothic architecture. Since its initial construction, there has been a significant increase in the lavishness of the chapel.

The wedding ceremony that took place in 2018 between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. This was, up until now, the most historically significant wedding ceremony that ever took place in London. In addition, there are ten burial places in the church, including Henry VIII's tomb, among the others. There is an abundance of historical sites and monuments to investigate. The most prominent feature is a massive marble monument that was constructed in Princess Charlotte's memory.


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Round Tower
Round Tower

The Center Ward of Windsor Castle is the heart of the castle and features a hill with a variety of colors in the center. The Round Tower, which is located atop this hill and has a public viewing area on its North Terrace, provides breathtaking vistas over the area in which it is situated. People feel a sense of success when they make it to the top of a skyscraper that has 200 stairs. Visitors who are interested in the places to see in Windsor Castle such as the Thames Valley, and even London from an elevated vantage point will find this to be an ideal site. The length of the Leisurely Walk, which is five kilometers, can be determined by looking to the south. Additionally, the flagpole is visible from the lookout point provided by the tower. When the Queen is not in residence at Windsor, the Union Jack flag is hoisted, and the Royal Standard is flown in its place when she is.

Changing The Guard
Changing The Guard

For tourists, seeing the changing of the guard is one of the most interesting and enjoyable things they can do. This ceremonial handover takes place whenever one group of guards hands over authority of an institution to some other group of guards. Aside from the sheer entertainment, this turnover is also important. The old guards are relieving the new soldiers of their responsibilities as they march around Windsor while at the same time leading the new guards into the castle. Typically, the ceremony takes place at eleven in the morning on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Those who plan on watching the Changing of the Guard in person should get there at minimum a few minutes before the ceremony starts in order to get a good spot to watch it.

The Semi state Rooms
The Semi state Rooms

The Semi-State Rooms were King George IV's final and most ambitious project. They're adorned in a sumptuous combination of ancient, medieval, and baroque styles. The King's renovation plans necessitated the use of specific equipment and furnishings in these rooms. The King's final resting place was completed in 1830, just in time for the monarch's death.

Visitors must now stroll through these rooms to really appreciate how beautifully they've been redesigned and refurbished. When a 1992 fire damaged the Royal Library, it had to be repaired using designs from the library's archives. The remarkable works of art from the Royal Collection can also be found in the Semi-State Rooms.

Queens Mary Dolls House
Queens Mary Dolls House

Mary, the wife of King George V, erected the Queen Mary's Dolls' House for her in the 1920s. The playhouse is a work of art in and of itself. Nearly 1500 painters were involved in the project, which was conceived by Sir Edwin Lutyens. That the year is 1924 when all was said and done.

The artisans that worked on the miniature did a fantastic job on every single area. The Royal Room, the Saloon and Sitting Room, the Bookstore, and the Administrative Facilities and Essentials are just some of the places you'll find here. Even the elevators and running hot water in the dollhouse are functional. The structure of the miniature had to be meticulously constructed, which took a significant amount of time and effort. This effort made the place to the list of best places to see in Windsor Castle.

Waterloo Chamber
Waterloo Chamber

The Waterloo Chamber was commissioned by King George IV following the Battle of Waterloo. There are now investiture ceremonies taking place in the main hall. During these occasions, a government official distributes awards to members of the public.The room is decorated with portraits of British monarchs, including King George III, King George IV, and King William IV, who succeeded him. Russian Emperor Alexander I and Prussian King Frederick William III, who helped the British defeat the French, are shown in the Chamber's artwork.

China Museum
China Museum

The China Museum is a must-see for anybody looking for places to see in Windsor Castle. For many years during the 1920s, Queen Mary enjoyed displaying her exquisite and unique dinnerware in the palace corridors. Among the noteworthy artifacts on display in this museum are historical Chinese and Japanese objects from the 17th and early 18th century. Pieces used by the British Royal family, such as Queen Victoria's China, are on display along with special occasion China.

Windsor Castle Tickets

Windsor Castle: Entry Ticket
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Highlights
  • Take a tour to Windsor Castle which is known as the world's oldest and most inhabited castle

  • Admire the royal French and English furnishing in the State Apartments, decorated by various kings and queens who resided here

  • Relish the Royal Collection's treasures, which include works by famous artists like Holbein, Rubens, and Van Dyck

  • Pay respect at the famous St. George's Chapel and learn all about the royal wedding ritual and traditions

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Must Know Before You Go
  • 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.
  • St. George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays as services are held throughout the day. Worshipers are welcome to attend the services.
  • In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, the Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is currently closed off and Precinct Tours are temporarily unavailable.
  • ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of arrival.
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of arrival.
  • The Semi-State Rooms are only open from September to March and are closed when the State Apartments are closed.
  • Multimedia guides and headphone equipment's are cleaned twice before each use to maintain visitor's hygiene.
  • The number of people allowed at a time has been reduced, hence book your Windsor Castle tickets in advance.
  • The State Apartments will be closed on 12th-16th January, 7th April, 6th May, 18th June, and 19th June.
  • On 9th and 23rd April the Castle will be open till 13:00 PM.
  • The St George’s Chapel may be open till 13:30 PM (especially on Saturdays), hence please arrive early to avoid disappointments.
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Know More About Windsor Castle

FAQs

How much time do you need to see Windsor Castle?

    Most people don't know that Windsor Castle is more than 12 acres big, and you should plan to spend at least two hours there. The Castle is open every day of the year except for Garter Day, which is one day in June, Easter, Christmas, and maybe one or two other days.

Do we need to book in advance for Windsor Castle Tickets?

What is the best time to visit Windsor Castle?

What is special about the China Museum?

How old is Windsor Castle?

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