14 top things to do and see at Windsor Castle

Start your Windsor Castle visit with a 30-minute tour of the Castle Precincts. Learn about its past as a fortress and palace, from 1070 when William the Conqueror first built a castle here, to its role as an official royal residence.

Pick up a free audio guide for a Windsor Castle highlights tour introduced by King Charles III. The commentary guides you throughout the castle. There’s also a family multimedia tour for the little ones and guides for blind and partially sighted visitors.

For one of the best things to do at Windsor Castle, admire the intricate gothic architecture of St George's Chapel, where the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan) took place. Inside the chapel lie the tombs of 10 monarchs, including Charles I, Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. 

Explore the glorious State Apartments, which are used to host official visits and an absolute must-see of any Windsor Castle visit. Don't miss the lavish Grand Reception Room, decorated with real gold and glittering chandeliers. You can also see the rooms built for Charles II, who hoped to rival the grandeur of Versailles.

This colourful ceremony marking the changeover of duties doesn't only take place at Buckingham Palace. Enjoy the same pageantry during the Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle. The ceremony doesn't take place every day, so make sure to check in advance for dates and times.

The Royal Family uses these incredibly lavish rooms for official entertaining, so they are only open to the public between September and March. George IV commissioned the rooms, which are an example of some of the finest late-Georgian interiors in the country. 

Marvel at the incredibly detailed dolls' house built for Queen Mary in the 1920s. It is a perfect replica of an aristocratic home and even has electricity and running water. A starring feature is the library of 700 miniature books.

See how Windsor Castle developed with three largescale bronze models showing how the castle looked at different moments in time. The Moat Room also gives an overview of the castle's 950-year history.

The castle is full of amazing artwork. Be awed by paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto in the State Apartments and see changing selections from the Royal Collection in the Drawings Gallery, including major works by Leonardo, Holbein, Michelangelo and Raphael. 

Examine beautiful pieces of porcelain that Queen Mary chose to display in the corridor in the 1920s. Among the collection are beautiful Chinese and Japanese pieces from the 17th and early-18th centuries, and two Sèvres sets.

The gardens at Windsor Castle have evolved over the centuries. Today, there are three gardens, each with its own unique history and style. The Moat Garden was carved out of the dry moat around the Round Tower and can be viewed from the Middle Ward. The East Terrace Garden provides stunning views towards London and the chance to walk the paths of the formal garden that has existed since its creation for George IV in the 1820s. Finally, the Jubilee Garden was created in 2002 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and can be seen all year round.

Windsor Castle's free multimedia guides have a children’s version, where Scorch the dragon helps to guide the little ones around the castle. During the school holidays, don't miss the Pug Yard Learning Centre in the castle grounds, which organises free activities for families including crafts, storytelling and kids' trails.

From special exhibitions and art lectures to workshops, talks and private tours, there's a rich programme of events and activities at Windsor Castle throughout the year. Check out what's on before your Windsor Castle visit.

Located on the ground floor of Windsor Castle underneath St George’s Hall, the Undercroft Café is one of the castle's oldest surviving spaces. It was previously used as a wine cellar and dates back to Edward III’s major renovations during the 1350s and 1360s. Choose from a wide selection of seasonal salads, soups, sandwiches, cakes and scones, all made with locally sourced ingredients.