If you love the royal family, then a visit to the home of Her Majesty The Queen in Windsor is a must. Windsor Castle is a short 1-hour ride from London, making it convenient for tourists to visit. In fact, approximately 7.6 million tourists made a day trip to Windsor and Maidenhead in 2017. And with two royal weddings at St George’s Chapel, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the 2018 numbers are sure to exceed that.
Though Windsor Castle is a majestic experience and requires no convincing to visit, the charming town of Windsor itself offers much to do and see. It’s hard to not love Windsor (admittedly I’m from the Maine one): the castle, colors, cobbled streets, and pubs. Plan a day of it and you’ll fall in love with the lovely royal town of Windsor, too.
Where to park at Windsor Castle?
River Park is the closest car park near the castle and town center but it’s quite small and busy. Further down the road is Victoria Street car park (SL4 1EG) which is covered parking and was £7 for the day. It offered direct and easy access to the Castle, and this is where we would park again.
How much time do you need at Windsor Castle?
If you do the self-guided tour with audio headsets, plan on at least 2 hours with kids. You can easily spend longer than that, but 2 hours was perfect with 2 children under 10 years old.
Make sure to ask for audio headsets for the children.
If you choose to join a free 30-minute tour of the Castle Precincts, add at least an additional 30 minutes.
Is Windsor Castle suitable for kids?
Absolutely. In fact, one of the main attractions is Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. Unfortunately, it’s under renovation until Summer 2019. All the reason to return!
They also offer different kids activities on Saturdays which the Admission Centre will tell you about upon ticket purchase. The kids’ activities typically end by 3pm but ask upon arrival.
Is there a cafe at Windsor Castle?
There is nowhere to eat at Windsor Castle…yet. A cafe is under construction with plans to open Summer 2019. Eat before you arrive to make the most of the visit.
Can you take pictures inside Windsor Castle?
No. Photography within the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel is forbidden.
Things to do at Windsor Castle?
- The Royal Wedding Exhibit: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. But go before it ends on February 17, 2019. This part of the tour was well worth the cost of admission. You hear directly from Meghan and Harry on the planning of their wedding day. It’s superbly done.
- The State Apartments
- Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. Under renovation until Summer 2019.
- St George’s Chapel. St. George’s Chapel is typically closed to visitors on Sundays.
- Changing the Guard
- Round Tower. And if you’re driving at night, be sure to look back to see the tower lit with views from miles away. The Round Tower is open for limited tours during August and September. Check the Royal Collection Trust for booking a CONQUER THE TOWER TOUR once 2019 dates are available.
Are there shops at Windsor Castle?
Yes, there are 5 gift shops and as medieval as the castle itself.
Other things to do near Windsor Castle?
There are a number of things you can do near Windsor Castle without getting back in a car or on a train. If you only have a day to spend at Windsor Castle, make sure you save time to enjoy the charming royal town and all it has to offer.
1 – Book Tea At Madame Posh
Madame Posh offers lots of elegant cakes in an elegant setting. It’ll make you truly feel like royalty! And even though you can’t take a picture of Meghan’s wedding dress, the artist at Madame Posh has this one on display that you can actually eat.
2. See the Crooked House
Walk up and down all the colorful streets. Make sure to stop and look at Windsor’s Crooked House, the Jersey Pearl.
3. Shop The Windsor Royal Shopping Mall
Explore Windsor Royal Shopping, situated in the historic Windsor Royal Station where there is everything from tartan goods to Cubans.
Hit the high street for more royal shopping nestled between pubs and restaurants. Try Barbour, The Edinborough Woollen Mill, and Purveyors Of Cashmere and Lambs Wool next to the Crooked House.
Who knows. Maybe this is where Meghan Markle purchased her Barbour jacket.
4. Enjoy One Of Many Great Restaurants
There is a restaurant or pub named after nearly every royal. We settled on chips and refreshments by the front window and fire at The Duchess of Cambridge Pub. Curious to know what new pub pops up named after Meghan or Master Archie!
Then authentic Chinese at 1423, where the Governor of Windsor Castle is said to enjoy a meal, before calling it a day.
With so many things to do at Windsor Castle and the charm of it all, we plan to return. It’s the perfect destination for out-of-town visitors and that England bucket list. With the UK donation option, you can return to Windsor Castle at no cost for an entire year. Just be sure to check the Royal Collection Trust for hours and any closures on the day you want to go.
Interested in actually seeing the royal family? See how here.
Looking for more England travel? Try these.
- Trooping the Colour 2019: How To Get the Best View To See The Royal Family
- Cornwall: A Summer Weekend in Newquay With Kids
- And make moving abroad a whole lot easier. A moving guide made for expats, from an expat. 😉Download today!
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