Windsor Castle Half Day Tour from London

Highlights

• Wander through the Queen's weekend residence with an audio guide
• Explore the luxurious State Apartments and view artwork by famous painters Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci
• Visit St George's Chapel, the resting place for many past monarchs, including Henry VIII and his favourite wife Jane Seymour

Discover the past with a half day Windsor Castle tour

Windsor Castle is a royal residence on the outskirts of London. The castle is well known for its magnificent architecture and affiliation with the British royal family. Built in the 11th century, the castle and its majestic appearance draw over a million visitors every year. Join them and learn more about its rich history on a Windsor Castle tour.

Hop aboard a comfortable air-conditioned coach from the city centre and take an hour’s journey to Windsor Castle. When you arrive, explore the castle and visit the many parts of this famous attraction. Multilingual audio guides are available, helping you make the most of your Windsor Castle tour.

Explore the world’s oldest occupied castle

Windsor Castle was home to 39 monarchs over almost one thousand years, but the original wooden castle was not a royal residence. Constructed by William the Conqueror, the castle was initially used as a defensive base. King Henry I was the first monarch to reside at Windsor Castle. Henry II, who inherited the throne in 1154, made significant changes to the castle during his reign. However, Edward III left the biggest impression on the castle in the 14th century, making it his court and the seat of the newly established Order of the Garter. Further modifications made throughout the centuries helped create the splendid structure we see today.

Edward VI disliked Windsor, but his half-sister, Elizabeth I, loved spending time there. A specialist in art, Charles I paid more attention to the castle’s aesthetics than his predecessors. During the Second World War, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth remained in Buckingham Palace but joined their children – Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret – at Windsor whenever possible. Today, Windsor Castle is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II.

Magnificent staterooms and scenic grounds

Take in the splendour of the State Apartments during your tour, decorated with masterpieces by renowned painters like Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. The art historian Hugh Roberts described the staterooms as “a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste.”

Explore the beautiful gardens surrounding Windsor Castle’s turreted Round Tower and stroll along the Long Walk – a picturesque 4km path lined with trees.

Visit St George’s Chapel – the final resting place of Henry VIII, the Queen Mother and Mary of Teck. You can also check out the Moat Room, featuring three bronze models of the Castle, and learn about the castle’s past.

The Windsor Castle tour offers more than just fantastic sights. Take the tour to discover its royal history and learn its fascinating stories.

Additional

• Opening Hours

  Check-in time if departing from Victoria is 11:30 AM and check-in time if departing from the Kensington Office is 11:45 AM. The return journey from Windsor is scheduled for approximately 4:30 PM.

• How to get to Windsor Castle

  You will meet your host at the Golden Tours Visitors Centre, where you will board the coach to Windsor Castle.

  By Bus: Get off at the Eccleston Bridge (Stop T). The meeting point is a 1-minute walk from the stop.

  By London Underground: Get off at the Victoria station. The meeting point is a 6-minute walk from the stop.

• How long does it take to explore Windsor Castle?

  You will have approximately two hours to explore Windsor Castle.

• Getting your tickets

  You will receive an email with your Windsor Castle Half Day Tour from London mobile vouchers shortly after booking. You may display this on your mobile device at the meeting point along with a valid photo ID.

• Flexible Cancellation Policy

  You may cancel your tickets up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

• Children under 3

  Children under the age of 3 years are entitled to free entry to Windsor Castle.

• Accessibility

  Windsor Castle is fully accessible and welcomes visitors with different access requirements. Visitors should be aware that the Castle is situated at the top of a steep hill and there are long distances that have to be covered on site.