Great tour, the inside state rooms were breathtaking. One of the best exhibits I visited while in London. The lines move quickly. I suggest line up 30mins prior to opening. Summer seems to be the busiest time to visit. Drinks are a available in the main gift shop near the Church. Don't go to the gift shops!!! You will want to buy everything :) read more

A must visit. The home of the British monarch for, well, pretty much as long as there has been one. Did the audio tour which was fascinating and even saw Her Majesty from a distance (although don't expect that normally). Take the train, wander around town, and then spend a good few hours in the castle. read more

Whenever I speak to American tourists, they're always very keen to visit Stonehenge, which is a pile of stones in the middle of nowhere with poor amenities and a noisy motorway next to it. I always advise them to instead visit Windsor, which is close and easily accessible by train and is much more picturesque. They always thank me after their visit Windsor is a pretty riverside village with the castle being the residence of Her Majesty. Look for the flag flying to see if she's in residence. The castle has recovered from the fire a few years ago and has been well restored. You can admire it from outside and watch the changing of the guard but the tour of the castle is well worth the price of admission You can easily explore the state apartments, Queen Mary's Dollhouse and St George's Chapel with the excellent audio tour though attendants in the various rooms will answer questions. There are also various pre booked guided tours available A fascinating and historical site well worth visiting read more

It is absolutely stunning! The changing of the guard happens at 11 and that is definitely something to see. It's quite impressive. The entire castle is captivating! read more

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You gotta love a place that still houses the Queen, continually hosts Royal functions & most importantly, is open to the public There is a changing of the Guards at different points of the day - we got to see 2. Led by a precession of the Royal Band, we heard great, regal music to lead the Royal Guards to their morning post.....also understand the band sometimes plays Pop tunes which would have been cool The Castle is ginormous but you're given a map & audio guide to make sure you get the most thorough overview. Highlights include: Queen's Dollhouse - this isn't just any old dollhouse. Everything is to-scale and *works*! Example, thre is a vaccuum - it works! Record player - it works! The plumbing in the bathrooms - they WORK! Assembly Rooms - in addition to the cool Drawing Rooms, Meetings Rooms and Banquet Hall, there are really cool drawings from DaVinci and whole section on Henry VIII Private Quarters - no explaination needed St George's Cathedral - where many royals are buried, including Henry VIII (This is the 500th year of Henry VIII so lots around London to showcase him, his life, his wives, & his rule) Get your tickets stamped as you leave & it'll grant you a whole year's access, free of charge! read more

Our favorite part of our trip!!! Worth the trek to Windsor. Cute little restaurants nearby too

Windsor made me actually want to get a tiara and wear it. No shame attached! I think it's incredible to be able to go into the castle, take a tour and see pieces of architecture that are responsible for so many talked about moments of history. You truly could spend 3-5 hours in the area walking through Eton, shopping and eating in the local shops and going into Windsor. The castle itself is extensive...you can see the Queen's gardens, St. George's and the (kind of creepy) doll house. Also, you can get a stereotypical picture with the guards standing watch, which we did...of course. The scenes from farther up the castle really let you know how formidable this place is. No wonder it withstands attacks and whatnot. You can get amazing pictures, and the views are second to none. Definitely worth the train ride out of the city and into Eton. Make sure to walk through Eton, too, and see Eton's College, boat house, etc. read more

I'm far from a Royal's fan, but loved Windsor Castle. Lots of great history, a nice audio tour, beautiful grounds, and great architecture, for me that is a great day out. We went on a Friday morning and already bought and printed our tickets, to my surprise we walked through security without seeing another tourist, and based on the set up of the ticket and security area with its many long roped off switchbacks, this place must get nuts at times with long queues. I think I listened to every audio tract, plus all the supplemental tracks and we were here for 2.5 hours I believe. One of the surprise highlights was the doll house... amazing. One small tip, always carry head phones in your day bag when traveling, holding audio guides to your ear for 2.5 hours just isn't practical for both your arm and neck. They do offer head phones, but we saw a lot of people without them struggling, not sure if they were created out by sharing head phones, or they ran out. Anyways, well worth the high ticket price. Get your ticket stamped on the way out for year long use, just in case your back and want to do it again. read more

If you're an American castle novice, like myself, and in the London area for any reason, this castle better be on your to-do list! This fully-functioning castle is still occupied by her royal highness on holidays and weekends. So, am I supposed to bow or something? It was a lovely day in March, and we were on our way back to Heathrow Airport from Bristol. We decided to take a detour off the motorway to Windsor for a quick romp through the royal home. The castle is on the northeast side of the village, looking out over acres of lush, green landscape and the River Thames. We paid to park in a nearby car park (yes, my husband has trained me to say "car park"), and walked over to the castle. £20.00 ($28.59) for adults, but we had our student IDs, which bumped it down to £18.20 ($26.02). Make sure you come with minimal baggage. There are security checks at the entrance. Also, the gift shop is at the beginning. If you want some HRM memorabilia, now is the time. Like other tourist destinations, free audio guides are provided to enhance the experience. Numbers are posted throughout the grounds and at the doorways. Just input the number into the audio guide for info about that spot. Only a portion of the castle is open to visitors. The other part is thee actual living quarters of the royal family. Beyond a fence, you can see the gorgeous courtyard that separates you from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Rob was a bit starstruck at the thought of seeing the Queen somewhere on the grounds. Alas, no signs of shiny hats on our trip. Ancient staterooms, lush furnishings, royal arms and intricate china settings covered the rooms of the castle. A beautiful garden replaces a more that surrounds the inner tower. Because the tower is on such a steep hill, the fortress was neigh impenetrable. Sadly, you can only look at the garden from the wall that looks over it. And for gosh sakes, don't step on Her Majesty's grass! As we came out of the castle, we headed towards St. George's Cathedral. This royal chapel holds infamous monarchs such as King Henry IIIV, Jane Seymour and Charles I. The amazing Gothic-style cathedral is a classic homage to the most historic moments in English history. As a Brit lit and history nerd, I was geeking out hardcore! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit this gorgeously preserved symbol of the British Empire's greatness and power over the last 1,000 years. read more

If you're coming here, there's a few important things I learned from my experience that will help you maximize your visit. Simply put: don't go on a Sunday if you want the full experience. Being a weekend day, Sunday is obviously one of the busier days; however, Windsor itself operates something of a "limited service" on Sunday. There's no changing of the guard ceremony, and access to St. George's chapel--the final resting place of many kings and queens--is limited to those attending the church service. So, two major elements of the attraction are otherwise unavailable. One of the more frustrating elements of the self-guided tour is the dollhouse exhibit. The dollhouse itself is quite impressive, if you can see it. They've placed this major element of a Windsor Castle visit in what I can only assume is one of the smallest rooms in the castle. Additionally, it's prohibitively dark. I fully understand the use of dim lighting to preserve the exhibit itself; however, it's so damn dark and crowded you can't help but run into people. Add to that the mind-numbing cell phone effect the audio guide has on your fellow patrons (I loathe audio guides), and you have a recipe for a very frustrating little room. It's worth seeing, but prepare yourself for the inevitable annoyance. As for the State Apartments, they're nice and rich with history. The bit about Charles II's bedroom wakeup ceremony every morning was absolutely ridiculous. The Waterloo Room is certainly impressive. The semi-state apartments, which are only open a limited amount of time per year (because they're otherwise in use, which adds to the cool factor), are gorgeous, but they're technically new because the original section burned down in 1992. The green drawing room is one of the most spectacular places I've ever seen. It's incredible. All in all, it's a nice day out. I would say, though, if you have a choice between this and visiting the state rooms at Buckingham Palace, choose Buckingham Palace. read more

Great visitor attraction, especially on a lovely day! First time at the castle, despite a few visits to Windsor itself. The Doll's House is worth a visit as are the State Apartments. I know the audio tour comes highly recommended but I came here with small people so that wasn't an option. Kids were wowed by the weapons and the sheer scale of some of the rooms so it does appeal to kids too. Staff were brilliant with the kids, chatting and getting them involved in the experience which was lovely to see! There was a short wait to get into the Dolls' House but not huge and it was the last weekend of the English school holidays so it wasn't too bad. A nice touch is although as an attraction, it does seem pretty expensive to visit - over £18 per adult and £16+ as a student, get your ticket stamped and you can visit multiple times over the next year. I thought this was excellent and other castles (Edinburgh) could take note of this to provide a value for money visitor experience. I haven't seen it all so I'm hoping to return in the next 12 months. Plus Windsor as a town is lovely with lots of nice eating/drinking places and shops so it is worth a day trip out here if you want to do something other than the castle. read more

Windsor castle was a part of the tour that we had booked together with Stonehenge and Bath. This castle is absolutely amazing and a must see. The Royal Ascot was happening that weekend but of course, we didn't get to see any royals. Darn! I guess maybe next time. My favorite part of the tour was the dollhouses. Everything in the dollhouse was intricate, detailed, and just beautiful. We were only get to see a tiny view of the Changing of the Royal Guard because of the crowd but it was pretty cool. You get to see St. George's chapel and take picture with one of the Royal Guard. The guard was just so serious and you just really wonder how he can stand like that the whole day. Right outside the castle is the Windsor Royal Shopping. It was a cute fun place and my sis and I ate at EAT there. That place was good. There were also some souvenir shops. read more

The Queen's second home is just beautiful. I got here with a tour group before it opened and we were some of the first to be let in, which was a fantastic idea because as we were leaving the lines were massive - probably hours long. So get here early and enjoy the beauty of the castle-ness that this place has, with lots of green and gardens all around it. I loved the outside the most I think, but inside of the State Apartments seems like it's just showing off all the riches of the royalty that's lived there in the past - and it probably is. There's the beautiful artwork - paintings, tapestries, sculptures, furniture; the weapons filling the walls of the massive weapon room; and the suits of armor lining several of the walls. Everything is so ornate! It's interesting just to walk around and look at everything. After leaving the state apartment, if you get there early enough you might catch the changing of the guard ceremony they do on some days. I was there on the Queen's birthday (so she was there in the castle! though I didn't see her) and so they did a special ceremony for that, which was like a smaller version of the one at Buckingham Palace, but you are much more likely to actually be able to see the band playing. They even played the Happy birthday song for her! read more

My second visit to Windsor castle and this time I had the luxury of a whole day to check it out. My previous visit had been a 2hr coach tour back in Aug-13 and I knew then that I wanted to come back for a longer, more through visit. Based on the long lines I had seen last time, I made sure had pre-booked tickets, which made for so much faster entry. I also checked their webpage for the Changing of the Guard and discovered it takes place at 11pm on even days (2,4,6, etc.), so choose the right day to visit :) There's a separate line for pre-booked and London pass ticket holders so I breezed past security, got my headphones and audio guide and then when chatting to one of the Guards, found out her Majesty was in the castle and even though I didn't see her anything, knowing she was in residence was a thrill of its own. I got in right around 10:30ish to make it in good time to check out the Changing of the Guard. This is a long event - at least 30 mins and because there are lulls and gaps where nothing seems to happen, a lot of people left. But stick with it till the former company of soldiers marches away, and that's how you know it's over. My first building stop was St. George's chapel, which I totally didn't have time to see at all last visit. This was beautiful and gave me a thrill seeng so many graves of former British Kings that I had previously only read about. My top faves was checking out the final resting places of Jane Seymour and Henry VIII. No photography permitted inside but the Audio guide is great and really helps you understand how special this chapel is. Next stop was the dolls house, which I had also missed seeing last time because of a massive line. This time there was no line and I just walked in, and to be honest, this exhibition was somewhat disappointing. I would have liked to have had the room just been a little bit more brightly lit, or at least more photos of the individual doll rooms placed on the walls, so you could see it in greater detail. Liked the actual dolls exhibition more, esp seeing the beautiful Worth gowns - these dolls have a wardrobe of designer clothes from the 1920s that would be the envy of any fashionista! Took a break for lunch and then retuned back for the final two exhibition. Since this year is the 200th commemoration of the battle of Waterloo, Windsor castle has a special exhibition which is quite marvelous and the highlight has to be a letter displayed showing Napoleon's actual signature!!! Straight after this exhibition, walked thru to the State Apartments and discovered this time there were a series of drawing rooms, used by the current Royal family, that I could view, which had been closed to the public at my last visit! So def was a great experience and I saw pretty much everything I wanted to. My final action was to convert my one day ticket to a one year ticket and then I headed into the town of Windsor after a perfect day at the Castle. read more

I loved this experience. It was a listening device tour. They give you headphones, and a wireless device. I enjoyed being able to walk with my group, yet at my own pace, though the castle. There's so much to see. There is something for everyone. They did get a little bit particular when came when it came within an hour and a half of closing, but it was plenty of time to see the entire grounds. It was beautiful, I don't regret paying $20 to see amazing exhibit. Plus, you learn so much about royal history, which you would have never known. A great;no perfect, tour. read more

Windsor Castle - Castles Near Me

I can't knock Windsor Castle down a star because Her Majesty wasn't in residence when I visited, but it would have made the visit complete. I absolutely adore the Royal Family and wish that America had one. Windsor Castle was just one of 3 destinations that were apart of a group bus excursion thing that I did. I normally don't go on these types of trips, but I thought the price was reasonable and the added perk is that they do all the planning. It's convenient to London to take the train here, and you can easily spend a day in the community of Windsor that rests at the foot of the majestic castle, and several hours exploring the castle and its grounds. The tour starts in Queen Mary's Dollhouse, which is absolutely amazing. The intricate detail in the furnishings, the wall hangings, the fact there is actually champagne in the glasses on the dining room tables. It's incredible, and I squealed quite a bit taking it all in. The rest of the castle is equally splendid. Normally I don't pay much attention to the "no photos" rule, but I observed it here. Not that I had a choice, as each room is manned by 1 or more dutiful attendants who take their job seriously. They are also eager to answer any questions that you have along the way. I polled many of the staff on whether or not they have met Her Majesty, and all enthusiastically replied that they had. The tour constrained me 2 hours, and I totally lost track of time and caught the evil eye from the tour guide as I was about 10 minutes late. I walked away feeling that Windsor Castle is one big happy family, headed by a lovely woman. P.S. Fantastic gift shop! 3 of them! I dropped 50 pounds on a "God Save the Queen" pillow, a few reproduction of tin plates based on historical Royal Family china patterns, Christmas ornament, and detailed guides of the Castle and the Doll House. read more

Knowing that this place is actually a vacation home for the royal family made this tour a bit more interesting. Assuming the queen is not away on holiday she can actually be found here, this wknd unfortunately she was away. Lines for entry can be quite long since we were with a tour group not much we could do but wait it out although the line was crazy long it did manage to move at a reasonable pace. Once u go through security & u have the proper clearance if u are with a tour being your handy wrist band u can go about your way & begin to explore the castle. Grounds are maintained quite lovely , very big lots of space & green areas. Would have been nice to see the mote garden but his was a separate charge? not cool u already pay to get in don't see why u should pay extra to see the garden. Reaching the back part of the castle was nice to see since this area basically opens up to this amazing court yard, can't imagine what it be like to have this place as your home away from home it's certainly very nice. The castle itself is pretty cool, lots of walking & plenty of areas to see & explore. Nicely kept grounds, good tour if you have the time to check it out better if it's part of a package like I did. read more

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Stunning castle! The effort to make it here is totally worth it. The Buckingham palace is not the same after this place. Wow is all I can say. Glad I took a coach bus all the way here! read more

After several trips to London, we wanted to spent a day on an excursion to Windsor Castle. We had an excellent day trip that was well worth carving out a day for on this trip. Some observations, however, are in order. 1. The tour is well done and they are prepared for large crowds. 2. In season go early to get an admission close to their opening. Later in the day the lines are long. 3. Tours from London are overpriced. You can do this tour on your own. Buy a round trip train ticket, buy an admission timed ticket for the castle and you are set. 4.If the Queen is in residence, you will miss the Royal residence part of the tour. There is plenty to see anyway and the chapel tour is a must see. read more

QE II (that's Queen Elizabeth II) lives at Windsor, primarily on weekends, one of 4 homes she owns. When she's home, the flag is raised. Windsor is her official residence and the castle dates back to the days of William the Conqueror. We were able to see the exhibit of doll houses. There were so many doll houses collected by Queen Mary. A separate room has collections from the wedding of Prince Albert and Queen Mary which was fun to see but due to crowds, was not easy to manuever in the room. You can see St. George's Chapel (closed Sundays) which caught on fire & burned for 15 hrs in 11/92. It has been fully restored without any signs of damages and without monies from British citizens. The St. George's dining hall is spectacular. The dining table so long that it looks as if it can easily fit 100 persons. Visiting the castle requires undergoing security checks to make sure you're not a threat as the Queen actually lives here. There are lots of swords mounted on the walls and armor abound in the various rooms. Lavatories are not readily accessible. You have to exit the building and queue in la long line for a very small bathroom outside. Don't remember the price for an adult, but a child was 9.5 pounds in 2007 (almost $19). read more

When in Windsor, you visit the castle. Unless you live there, of course, in which case you probably shake your tiny fists at the heavens every time you encounter a tourist while trying to get a McDonald's shake. Anyway, a visit here is obligatory, so we took the pledge and ventured inward. There's a whole day of visiting here, and the staff are helpful, interesting, and interestED in what you want to know. This is a great combination. When we visited during the summer, a special activity for the kids was underway -- making your own armor! -- and our bunch of Galahads loved it. (We still have the armor now, 3,500 miles from Windsor, and they still love it.) Inside the castle, the staff are even more helpful. They point out areas of particular interest to each visitor -- "Can you find the four secret doors in this room?" one asked our kids, who gaped in awe -- and keep the crowds moving along swiftly, too. One gripe: We weren't told about the free (as in beer) audio tour that's available on the way in. The castle is littered with audio tour icons, so it would have been nice to have access to that without having to go back to the main gate. Also of note: entry allows you to visit again any time within the next year for free, too, which is a great benefit. I'd certainly advise visiting in midweek to avoid the massive crushes, but the place is big enough to accommodate insanely large lines, so you'll be fine no matter when you turn up. read more

Big tip, get here early and midweek to avoid the crowds. Believe me, it makes a visit so much more enjoyable without being jostled by crowds and no queues. Security is tight, no problems this end, especially as Her Maj was in residence. The Royal Standard was flying above the tower. Paying our entrance fee we went through scanning. Scanning that should be used at airports. Picked up our audio guide (included in the price) and off we went. So nice wandering around on our own. The changing of the guard was a bonus in the main square as HM Elizabeth II was home. Walking through the State Apartments, again almost empty, gave us the opportunity of chatting to many of the Custodians and learning so much history. Those guys knew their facts and were, obviously, proud of their job. Thank you. A story from one of the guys was about two footmen who had reached retirement age and asked permission to retire. This, naturally, went for approval to the Queen who replied that as she was working to almost 90 therefore she was refusing. Don't know if it was true, but a nice touch to our visit. Again, thank you to everyone involved. Lovely mornings visit. read more

Excellent!! The history and views were excellent. The surrounding town is also a great place to visit read more

If you haven't been here yet you have to go! Windsor Castle is definitely a must see for visitors and locals alike. Tickets are around £16 for adults and £14,50 for students-maybe a little steep but totally worth it. Your ticket comes with an audio tour, which teaches you everything about the castle's past and present. After your visit to the castle, make sure you walk down to Eton and see the lovely river and charming little town. I was not able to go into Eton College, but it looked beautiful from the outside. Try and go on a clear day, I know that's hard here, but the views from the castle are spectacular! I would suggest checking into Greenline Coaches to get there, it's about £13,50 for a round trip and the coaches are really nice. read more

Windsor Castle - Castles Near Me

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only 18 other people have reviewed this amazing castle? wow. this was part of our day-long tour we went on. Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. This was a great place to tour - and the changing of the guards was more accessible than the ones at Buckingham Palace. History and stories of this place were great. Check it out if you can!!! read more

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Beautiful, well preserved castle! It is in the center of town and is worth the day trip for anyone who is in London!

Honestly, I expected more. probably my fault. I couldn't see much because of the several works going on over there. I'm hoping to visit another day some time later this year. Thanks to the annual pass conversion. You can get your ticket converted by getting your name and signature stamped while you visit the place. I spent only 3 hours at the place. I think it deserves more time to see the entire castle, more of town really. Lots of restaurants near by so you'll never stay hungry. Though the sad part was that if you were hungry during your visit to the castle, you'd have to get a wrist band and go out to have food then later return to see more. I wish there was a decent cafe inside. They do have several shops though. If you are a keen photographer, photography isn't allowed inside the state apartments or the doll house. So it might be a disappointment. But I'm sure you'll enjoy taking pictures of the outside of the chapel, apartments etc. It is beautiful indeed. read more

Windsor is a bit away from central London, so it might not be the obvious place to visit while touring the city. It requires a day trip or at least a half-day trip, but the visit can be extended to adjacent Eton, hosting a well known college. The sightseeing of to the castle itself is a curated tourist attraction. Needless to say we get to visit a working castle so sometimes it is easy to forget that The Queen may be having her afternoon tea party just around a corner. The visit itself may get a bit interrupted because of this official status, as some events may be hosted in the State Apartments, though I guess it happens rarely. Upon entering we have a selection of two lines - the one leading through the doll house is really worth the waiting and the line is moving fast so even if you do not have much time you should be able to get there. But you can skip the longer wait and head straight to the State Apartments. In the main exhibition the most impressive room is the one commemorated to The Battle of Waterloo, with a grand dining table in the center and lots of paintings of the heros and villians of that age. You get to see the room twice, once upon entering and the other time when leaving. All in all I would definitely recommend the experience if you are staying longer in London. You get the chance to visit some of the outskirts, so it is especially beautiful in the spring and summer months. read more

We visited Windsor Castle on a Saturday as we couldn't get away another time but it actually wasn't impossibly busy. The only time it was a bit of an issue was waiting to see the doll house and, as it was a beautiful day, we didn't mind the 40 minute wait. On a busy day I'd say you need to budget at least 3 hours to visit (including wait times) and more if you're the type of person who likes to visit the grounds a lot and read/listen to everything. I hadn't read too much about Windsor Castle before visiting but I was happily surprised but how idyllic it is. I'm a huge castle fan and I've seen over 50 castles (or their various equivalents) on different continents and this one is a textbook fairytale caste. The main reason probably being that it is still a working and breathing castle but nonetheless, credit goes to the Queen and her staff for keeping it looking gorgeous. For me, the outside of the castle was much more interesting than the inside. I prefer a different, earlier style (more detailed and ornate ceilings and walls, more nooks and crannies!) and this castle was 'refurbished' in the 1800 so that it is a more modern look. Nonetheless, the rooms are impressive as are the collections. I highly suggest timing your visit with a free walking tour of the grounds (for us it was a happy coincidence that we walked in as a tour was starting) and definitely get the audio tour, especially as it's included in your price. I found the audio tour to be a bit lacking as the descriptions were very short and basic but I guess some people prefer the tidbits versus lengthier explanations. My last suggestion is that if you're traveling by train, you can get a combined train and castle entrance ticket at any train station. This saves you around £2 per a ticket but it means you cannot turn your ticket into a yearlong pass. For me, one visit was enough though if I had the yearlong pass I may try to get out there again. Having the train/castle combo ticket also means you can skip the lines waiting to buy tickets at the entrance which for us saved us about 35 minutes. Overall, I definitely recommend it for an easy day trip from London and Windsor itself is a pretty town that is worth exploring afterward! read more

This was our first stop in London. A simple 40 minute train ride from Paddington station to Windsor-Eton. When you get off the train the castle is a five minute walk through the town. The town is a quaint English town with shops and pubs. When you leave the town and start to walk toward the castle the first thing you will notice is the grounds. They are amazing. Trees, flowers, water fountains, decor, it is a photographers dream. The view from the top before you enter the castle is breathtaking. Once you go in you will walk by Mary's Dollhouse a full scale replica of the castle with vacuums, dishes and everything you would expect. It is unbelievable. Next you see the special exhibit, for us it was on Prince Philip. They had photographs and items tracing his life. He really is interesting in his own right. Then you walk through and see the Queen's china and into the staterooms. They are amazing. It is thrilling to know you are standing in the room where the Queen walks, many famous people have dinned, the history of decor is astonishing. Check the dates and times they are open. You want to see the staterooms and Saint George's chapel (I have a separate review but it is worth the visit). If you buy a tube pass they offer 2 for 1 admission but you need to get the paperwork online or at information in the Tube. The London Pass also covers admission if you are going to be in town for a few days and plan to see other sights. read more

I'm going to be honest, these types of attractions rarely impress me. They're usually the type of thing that feels antiquated and result in poor value for money, e.g. Stonehenge and Tower of London, but this was worth it. Seriously, the State Apartments were superb. The Queen's Dolls House, The Chapel. All gorgeous and impressive. My only complaint is that I think the tower climb should be included. read more

The one place on the earth which was never conquered by anyone. Its an absolute privilege to visit Windsor Castle. The heritage is very much in tact even after the great fire. Do not forget to see the St Georges flag and also the St Georges chapel. read more

It is amazing to see this iconic building in real life! All tourists please visit!! The best part was was walking around the castle. Just amazing. read more

Windsor Castle is beautiful and was absolutely worth the visit. About a 20 mon drove from Heathrow Airport, the town of Windsor has such a magical feel. When we arrived to the Castle there were to lines. The line to the right was for groups of 15 or more and the line to the left was for less than 15. We arrived about 10 mins before opening and even though the line looked long, it actually moved very quickly. The cost for one adult ticket was £21. The flag was up which meant that the Queen was in residence and we were told that the entire royal family was there for the opening of the Royal Ascot, so we were not able to tour the State Apartments. The grounds of the castle were beautiful and St. George's Cathedral was breathtaking and full of so much history. I could have stayed in the town of Windsor most of the day, but we had a flight to catch. If you have the time, I'd allow at least 1/2 a day for your visit to the area, but if you only have a few hours to kill before you have to check in for your flight, it's close enough to the airport where you can get in a quick visit before leaving London. read more

I visited the castle as part of a coach tour (Premium). Amazingly well maintained castle that's currently being used by the monarchy (private quarters) and for tours. The furniture, arms, wall art, tapestries, and armor are beyond words. Must be seen to be believed. Especially the detail work and inlay that converts everyday furniture into works of art. There must be a small army of specialists maintaining everything in top shape. I was completely besotted by a sculptured rose door knob, which, apparently, I am not allowed to photograph due to security reasons. Spectacular craftmanship and works of art and detail in the the most everyday of items ranging from windows, furniture, tapestries, and carpeting. Don't miss Queen Mary's doll house, you will not believe the detail and craftmanship that went into it. There is a great collection of china and serveware from various eras featured at the beginning of the tour. The main staircase features amazing armor and weaponry as well as a glass dome allowing natural light to enter and highlight the collection. There were staff members setting up St. George's Hall for a concert while we were there, so we enjoyed some live piano music while we toured the rooms. I stopped at the little shop right next to the north terrace prior to seeing the changing of the guard. There was something for every budget, ranging from Royal Collection high-end collectibles to a number of more everyday items. Great place to stock up on teas and biscuits or other memorabilia and tchotchkes. Don't miss the great deal on Imperial Russian cups, two for the price of one (£30). Great pastels and fine china. Don't miss the changing of the guards. I had so much fun watching the discipline and coordination of these gentlemen. The Irish hound mascot was fun to watch as well. read more

After nearly 20 years of visiting the UK, I finally made my way to the weekend home of QEII. We were lucky that we were there when the flag was flying over the Round Castle (an indicator that the Queen was on the premises). However we arrived too late to see the formal parading that takes place. We parked near the train station and without any maps, just started walking towards the direction of the castle. You really can't miss it -- once the hills start climbing, you're headed in the right direction. We opted for the audio headsets, which were very useful. We arrived late afternoon, which meant we bypassed all of the lines. Practically no lines when we visited St. George's Chapel (which I reviewed separately), the place with the doll house, and the state rooms (?). I wasn't enamored with the dollhouse, huge as it was. I personally don't like dolls and never played with them when I was growing up. So, looking at some rich woman's dolls wasn't high on my must-see list. I didn't get a chance to see if the plumbing or the electricity worked in the dollhouse. But I was impressed with the details used to get the dollhouse looking every bit the miniature version of a real house. I did enjoy the State Rooms. I consider it a personal triumph when I can cross off a famous painting that I've only seen in art or history books. In this case, it's that infamous picture of King Henry the VIII. We saw the rooms where ordinary people are knighted. Where state dinners are held and they cram all of these heads of states for dinner in a long-ass room. And paintings, lots of paintings. I do remember the fire that occurred here about a decade or so ago. According to my husband, that's the reason why the Royals started charging admission to places that used to be free -- they need to recoup the costs of repairing the place. Speaking of Henry VIII, we did see what his armor looked like. While the guy is depicted as fat, he is actually quite slim compared to the obese people I've encountered in my new state in the South. The castle was okay. I almost always see a castle on each visit to the UK, so they all kind of look alike to me. I did enjoy the arrow slits, and maybe the next castle I see, I will look for a murder hole. read more

This is some home. A walk around the place makes me feel poor. There are some amazing things to see inside Windsor and if you get past the fact there are loads of tourists around you you can immerse yourself in history It's like 1,000 years old and you can feel the tingle in your spine if you allow yourself to do so. It's one of a kind along with Buckingham palace and Balmoral castle up in Scotland. So really it's not one of a kind but more a selection of what the royal family has to offer! There was a fire about 20 years ago but the place has been restored or repaired in such a way you'd be hard pressed to notice. This is one of the things that is quintessentially English. read more

My absolute favorite out of the touristy things we did. Totally worth the train ride that takes you out of London to Windsor-Eton and the price for admission. It is a sprawling estate, and many people suggested that we spend all day here, but in all honesty, we were here for the castle, though the downtown area looked very charming and full of restaurants and stores (Cath Kidston and Barbour would have been two I would have peeked in if we had time). You can definitely tour the castle and grounds in about 3 hours, which is what we did. We change the date we visited, and happy we did since we were able to see the changing of the guard at this palace. Skip the Buckingham changing of the guard, and come out here and check this one out instead. it takes place I believe on every other odd day or something, bt check the website for details. And it's always at 11:00am. We just made it via the train and got great spots. It's a lot more fanfare, with the military band coming out to play and the whole process takes about 30 minutes. Other things to see- St. George's chapel, the resting place of King George V, the Queen Mother, PRincess Margaret, Henry VII, Jane Seymour, among others. Beautiful church. The line to Queen Mary's dollhouse and the state apartments was a bit long, but moved quickly. Definitely worth the wait to see the dollhouse in my opinion, and the state apartments were absolutely beautiful. So amazing to see so many pieces of art especially, and how ornate the decor is. And it's the rooms in which the Queen entertains herself! There was also a nice exhibit about Prince Philip to celebrate his 90th birthday this year. Lots of lovely photographs, including their engagement portraits. Strolling through the castle grounds was also quite lovely, until the rain came down. Luckily, we felt we saw everything and caught the next train back to London. read more

Windsor Castle is an amazing day trip outside of London and a must see for anyone visiting England. If you are an avid royal family follower, it's a great visit and glimpse into the royal family lifestyle and history. The train ticket and ticket into the castle can add up, but they have great student and senior discounts so make sure you check those out. It's also better if you arrive earlier in the morning to beat the crowds. It's so much easier to navigate the castle grounds with less people about. The doll house exhibit was under construction, but the State Apartments were wonderful and St. George's Chapel was beautiful, especially after Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding! It's a great trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city in London. All on its own, like London, it has rich history you can explore from the inside out. If castle walls could talk, you'd hear them tell you all about the royals whom have walked its halls. You simply cannot miss this gem! read more

WINDSOR CASTLE is a beautiful 26-acre building and considered to be the world's oldest inhabited castle. A visit to the castle will yield tremendous results because you will have the opportunity to view many old masters in the Royal Collection. The State Rooms contain many paintings from many bygone eras and has works on display from Rembrandt,Rubens,Canaletto,Gainsborough and VanDyck. It is easy enough to get to by public transport with trains going from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside. read more