14 top things to do and see at Windsor Castle

Don't miss these top things to do at Windsor Castle, including St George's Chapel, the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the gorgeous grounds and beautiful art.
Visit London Editors
Written by Visit London Editors 25 March 2025
External shot of Windsor Castle and the surrounding green grounds.
Windsor Castle and the luscious green gardens surrounding the grounds. © Shutterstock.

Windsor Castle is open year round and can easily be visited on a day trip from London. The spectacular castle was rumoured to have been Queen Elizabeth II's favourite residence and was also the venue for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018. Plan your Windsor Castle visit with the top Windsor Castle highlights below.

As working royal residences, Royal Collection Trust sites are subject to closures, which may occur to all or part of them at short notice.

Book your Windsor Castle tickets and tours now.

1. The Precincts tour

An open gate at windsor castle with buildings and blue sky in the distance.
Uncover hidden history at this world-famous historic monument. © Visit London/Kirstine Spicer

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.

2. Audio tour with King Charles III

A hand holds up the auido guide at windsor castle against the walls.
Use the audio guide to make your way around the castle. © Visit London/Kirstine Spicer

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.

3. St George's Chapel

The exterior of gothic-style St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on a clear day with blue skies.
St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Credit: Malgorzata Bujalska. Image courtesy of Unsplash.

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. 

4. The State Apartments

The gold and red grand reception room at windsor castle.
The Grand Reception Room at Windsor Castle. ©Peter Smith/Royal Collection Trust/His Majesty King Charles III 2023.

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.

5. Changing the Guard

Guards dressed in red with black hats in formation at Windsor Castle on a sunny day.
Guards in formation at Windsor Castle. Credit: Lorena Kelly. Image courtesy of Unsplash.

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.

6. The Semi-State Rooms

A large turquoise drawing room with gold and red carpet and painting lined walls at windsor castle.
The King's Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023. Photo Credit: Peter Smith.

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. 

7. Queen Mary's Dolls' House

A hand picks up furniture in the queen marys dolls house at windsor castle.
Be captivated by perfect replicas in the enchanting Queen Mary's Dolls' House. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust

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.

8. The Moat Room

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.

9. Fine art

A blue room with blue carpets and red sofas with paintings along the wall at the queens gallery at windsor castle.
The Queen's Gallery at Windsor Castle. Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023. Photo Credit: Peter Smith.

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. 

10. The China Museum

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.

11. Windsor Castle's gardens

Trees and gardens with a wooden bench at Windsor Castle, with the castle and blue sky in the background.
The sumptuous gardens at Windsor Castle. Credit: Zaymuel. Image courtesy of Unsplash.

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.

12. Family-friendly activities at Windsor Castle

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.

13. Special events at Windsor Castle

The large beige stone walls of windsor castle under a blue sky.
Admire the impressive architecture of Windsor Castle. © Visit London/Kirstine Spicer

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.

14. Explore Windsor Castle's cafes and restaurants

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.

Frequently asked questions

How much time should I spend at Windsor Castle?

It is recommended to spend at least two to three hours at Windsor Castle to make the most of your visit. This will give you enough time to explore more than 1,000 years of royal history, the lavish State Rooms, St George's Chapel and the castle grounds at a leisurely pace.

Can I walk around Windsor Castle for free?

To gain access to Windsor Castle, visitors need to purchase tickets. The price allows entry to St George's Chapel, the State Apartments, the Moat Room, Queen Mary's Dolls' House, as well as some walks on castle grounds.

Who currently lives in Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of His Majesty The King.

Searching for more inspiration? Find more cool spots to visit from London with these fun day trips.