Windsor Castle afternoon tour from London

Steeped in history, Windsor Castle overlooks the Thames and is the oldest working castle in the world, dating back to Roman times. It is the favourite weekend residence of the King and has been the home of 40 monarchs.

Explore the lavish State Apartments on this half day Windsor tour and stop at St George’s chapel, the final resting place of former monarchs, including the late Queen Elizabeth II and Henry VIII.

What is the Simply Windsor Castle Tour?

The trip to Windsor Castle from London is a self-guided tour of Windsor Castle including return transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach. After your arrival, you have access to Windsor Castle and the State Apartments, which are filled with artwork from famous painters including Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci.

Marvel at Queen Mary’s Dolls' House, an incredible structure with working lifts, running water, electricity and wine bottles, all in miniature. You can also visit St George’s Chapel and make use of the audio guides which come in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish.

What is the itinerary of the Simply Windsor Afternoon tour?

The tour is available from April to October. In the winter months an additional five rooms, known as the Semi-State apartments, are included in the tour.

Check in time is 12.45pm, departure is 1pm and return time is approximately 5.30pm. The departure point of the Windsor Castle day trip by coach is Bus Stop 1, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London SW1W 9SR (Victoria) and returns to Gloucester Road Underground Station (Zone 1).

As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, the entire palace or the State Rooms are sometimes closed at short notice. St George’s Chapel is closed on Sundays for services, but worshippers are welcome to join the service.

How to book tickets for the Windsor Afternoon tour?

Book Windsor tickets by clicking on the book now button on the page and select a day and time that suits you.

Why you should go

• Windsor Castle is beautiful and the oldest castle of British royal history.
• The State Apartments have an impressive collection of paintings from world famous artists.
• The castle is home to one of the most impressive dolls' houses.
• The tour is family friendly and allows kids to interact with history in a fun and memorable way.
• For flora and fauna enthusiasts, there are plenty of parks, gardens and woodland nearby.

How does this compare to other Windsor tours?

Other coach tours to Windsor castle might also include the Changing of the Guards at 11am from Monday to Saturday between April to the end of June. They can also offer more flexibility timewise and allow you to explore other areas of Windsor.

The Windsor tour from London by train offers the most flexibility for people who want to explore other parts of Windsor beyond the castle at your own pace. You might have time to visit Eton College or join a hop-on hop-off bus tour through Windsor stopping at the most famous landmarks of the town.

Another option are day trips to Windsor Castle that include stops at other places. These day trips are higher priced and usually offer the option to include or exclude entry to famous landmarks at checkout. A multi-location trip means shorter time at each stop to ensure that you get to see many places within one day.

FAQ

What is the best time of day to visit Windsor?

The best time to go on a Windsor Castle tour from London depends on what you want to see. If you go in the morning, you have more time to explore the castle and the town as well. If you are shorter on time, then the afternoon tour is perfect for you.

How long is the walk at Windsor Castle?

The walk through Windsor Castle on the Windsor Afternoon tour is approximately two hours long. As this is a self-guided tour, visitors can explore the castle at their own pace (but be aware of the coach time back to London).