Windsor Castle

Windsor is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years. The Castle covers an area of about 5 hectares (13 acres) and contains magnificent State Apartments furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection, St George's Chapel (one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England and the burial place of 10 monarchs), and Queen Mary's Dolls House, a masterpiece in miniature.

During the winter months an additional five rooms, known collectively as the Semi-State Rooms, are included in the visitor route. Standard admission charges apply. The Semi-State Rooms close on 28 March 2010 and re-open to the public on 25 September 2010.

CURRENT EXHIBITION: Henry VIII: A 500th Anniversary Exhibition, 8 April 2009-18 April 2010. To mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne, some of the most important and beautiful treasures to survive from the King's reign have been brought together from the Royal Collection and St George's Chapel archives. Windsor Castle played host to Henry VIII and his court on many occasions and the monarch is buried in St George's Chapel with his third wife Jane Seymour. Through paintings, drawings, miniatures, prints, books and manuscripts, the exhibition explores the life of a king who had a profound impact on British history and whose fascinating story continues to generate widespread interest today.

FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION: Marcus Adams: Royal Photographer, 24 April 2010 – 6 February 2011. Marcus Adams (1875-1959) photographed four generations of the Royal Family between 1926 and 1956.

The son of the photographer Walton Adams, he established a reputation as a leading child photographer through his ability to capture the personality of his young sitters. The 57 images in the exhibition span a period of 30 years and include vintage prints from almost all the royal sittings, many from the collection of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a charming group of photographs of the very young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret taken in the late 1920s and 1930s.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE CLOSES 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES AFTER LAST ENTRY TIME SHOWN BELOW: March to October 09:45-17:15 (last admission 16:00), November to February 09:45-16:15 (last admission 15:00).

As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, opening arrangements may change at short notice. Please check before planning a visit. Please note, worshippers are welcome to attend the Sunday services at St George’s Chapel but the chapel is closed to general visitors on Sundays.

PROVISIONAL CLOSURE DATES 2010
5 March: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm

2 April: Admission to Castle Precincts and St George's Chapel for services only - ALL OTHER AREAS CLOSED
3 April: St George's Chapel opens at 11am
4 April: Castle opens at 1pm
6 April: State Apartments closed
13 April: State Apartments closed

7 May: State Apartments closed
8 May: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm

11-14 June: St George's Chapel closed
12-15 June: State Apartments closed
14 June: CASTLE CLOSED

9 July: St George's Chapel opens at 10.30am

13 October: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm

17 December: St George's Chapel opens at 10.30am
23 December: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm
24 December: St George's Chapel closed (other than to worshippers attending services)
25-26 December: CASTLE CLOSED (St George's Chapel open to worshippers)

SPECIAL TOURS FOR PRE-BOOKED GROUPS:
From Great Kitchen to State Apartments - An introduction to the history of royal dining, past and present followed by a guided visit to the Great Kitchen and medieval Undercroft, neither of which are normally open to the public.

This tour is available to pre-booked groups until March 2010 and from October 2010 to March 2011 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays ONLY by appointment with the Ticket and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

Private Evening Tours - In the company of an expert guide, guests will enjoy an exclusive 'behind-the-ropes' experience in the magnificent State Apartments. The tour ends with a glass of Champagne.

This tour is available to PRE-BOOKED groups on selected dates throughout 2010 ONLY by appointment with the Ticket and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

Exhibition Talk - Henry VIII: A 500th Anniversary. The tour begins in the Castle's Winchester Tower with refreshments and an introduction to the special exhibition in the Castle's Drawings Gallery marking the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne. The tour concludes with a visit to the Drawings Gallery where your group will be able to explore the life of a king who had a profound impact on British history and whose fascinating story continues to generate a widespread interest today.

This tour is available to PRE-BOOKED groups from until March 2010 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only ONLY by appointment with the Ticket and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE CLOSES 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES AFTER LAST ENTRY TIME SHOWN BELOW: March to October 09:45-17:15 (last admission 16:00), November to February 09:45-16:15 (last admission 15:00).