Windsor Castle Tours from London
Wide range of Windsor Castle tours every day of the year
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Windsor Castle: tours from London |
Windsor Castle and the town of Windsor and Eton in which the Castle stands is on the outskirts of London, close to Heathrow Airport, London's busiest airport. It is quite easy to visit Windsor Castle independently from London using public transport. There are two frequent train services to Windsor, one from London Paddington, the other London Waterloo.
Most tour buses from London that visit Windsor though are on day tours of which Windsor is just one attraction of normally three places visited. Because Windsor is relatively close to London it is either going to be the first or last stop on such a day tour.
A Windsor Castle day trip is a very popular choice with most London tourists. Windsor Castle hosted two Royal weddings in 2018 between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May and then Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in October. In 2019 it will host yet another Royal wedding, that of Lady Gabriella Windsor. St George's Chapel in WIndsor Castle has never been more in the public eye, so visiting Windsor now offers more than just fascinating ancient history. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are also moving to Windsor in March 2019.
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What are the best Windsor Castle tours from London?
Tours to Windsor are varied. Some include a visit to Windsor Castle, others allow you enough time to look around, but whether you choose to book tickets is up to you. You could easily spend two or three hours at Windsor without entering the Castle, though clearly this is the highlight for many.
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Windsor Castle Guards |
How much time do tours give you inside Windsor Castle?
Bear in mind that whilst the Windsor Castle web site says you need three hours to visit, many tourists only take about 90 mins - 2 hours. The tour companies usually factor this in for morning and afternoon tours so you would have around 2-2.5 hours to spend in Windsor. if you select a tour with three destinations in one day then you'll have less time to explore Windsor but still enough time at the Castle. If you'd prefer longer at WIndsor then you can consider travelling independently.
Changing of the Guard at WIndsor Castle
If you wish to see the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle, this usually takes place at 11am within the Castle grounds Mondays to Saturdays from April until the end of July.
During the rest of the year and weather permitting, it takes place on alternate days. If you take a morning tour and only have 90 minutes, you'll be leaving as it starts, however most tours do allow two hours, allowing you to see this ceremony. On an afternoon tour it is not possible to see the Changing of the Guard.
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Windsor Castle |
Your coach will park around ten minutes' walk away from the Castle itself, so do bear this in mind when thinking about how much time you will have to explore, after factoring getting there and back.
If you wish to visit St Georges Chapel, this is closed on Sunday. So make sure you do not book a tour on this day if this is a priority for you.
Simple half day tour to Windsor Castle
For those who would like a longer time in Windsor, a simple half day tour is probably going to be best. This will give you the longest possible time in Windsor on a tour, outside of travelling there by your own steam on public transport. You'll have time to explore not only the Castle and its grounds, but also have time in the historic town, with its range of restaurants and cafe's for lunch, shops and even a walk - or boat trip - by the Thames. There is a new for 2019 extended Windsor and Stonehenge tour that gives you half a day at each attraction.
If time is short and you would like to combine your time at Windsor Castle with other tourist attractions, there are plenty of potential tours - many including the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, or perhaps Bath - that you can choose from.
Windsor Castle Tours from London - Morning
Runs all year Monday To Friday
A straight forward proposition of return coach travel between London and Windsor with entrance tickets to Windsor Castle and some free time to explore Windsor and Eton. This tour is perfect for those wanting to take a morning visit to Windsor with their afternoon and evening free in London.
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Windsor Castle inside courtyard |
The whole tour takes around four hours, including travelling time, leaving you ample enough time to explore the historic town, and also the Castle and grounds at your own pace.
Windsor is a pretty town full of traditional shops and historic pubs. From William the Conqueror all the way through to our current Queen, successive monarchs have lived at Windsor Castle and left their mark on what is now the largest continuously occupied castle in the world.
Your tour will offer you the chance to see the splendour of St. George's Chapel, one of the most beautiful examples of medieval church architecture in England and a burial place of kings and queens, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. It is now also an iconic Royal wedding venue with coverage bringing it to the attention of millions worldwide.
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Windsor Castle from the road outside |
One of the other main attractions at Windsor Castle are the sumptuous State Apartments, still used for State occasions and Royal receptions. Another highlight is Queen Mary's Dolls House, an exquisite single miniature dolls' house built for Queen Mary by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1921 and 1924, complete with miniature crown jewels.
There is so much more to do at this ancient Royal Castle; for lovers of art, history and royals, it is a must-see destination if you are staying in London. The tour returns to London around 1.30pm. Use the banner below to book your place.
Windsor Castle Tours from London - Afternoon
If you wish to visit Windsor Castle in the afternoon, this is a tour that runs nearly every day during the summer months, and at least three days a week during the winter months.
Departure if from Golden Tours Visitor Centre, Victoria at 1.30pm or Golden Tours Visitor Centre, Kensington at 1.45pm, during the summer months. During the winter months it is 11.30am and 11.45pm respectively.
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St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle |
You will get entrance to Windsor Castle State Apartments as well as St George's Chapel and you can see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. As this is an afternoon tour the changing of the guards will have been completed by the time you arrive, if Changing of the Guards at Windsor is important to you then you should opt for a morning tour instead.
Audio guides for Windsor Castle are available in: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese & Spanish. Free Wi-Fi is available on board your coach.
This tour is unescorted and you will spend approximately two hours in Windsor Castle. Use the banner below to book your place.
Windsor and Stonehenge extended tour - featuring extended visits to both attractions
Most combination tours include three of the main must see attractions such as Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath. This tour is slightly different in that it focuses on Windsor Castle and Stonehenge only. This gives you more time at both Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. With that extra time, roughly 3.5 hours in Windsor, you can not only explore the incredible Castle but also Windsor itself, which is a beautiful town on the River Thames. A packed lunch is included, though there are plenty of coffee shops to enjoy in Windsor or you might like to take a short boat trip down the Thames to see the Castle from the water.
Your time in Stonehenge is also extended so if you do not want to be rushing around and like to take your time, then this tour might suit you perfectly. The tour visits Stonehenge in the morning and spends the afternoon in Windsor. Changing of the Guard takes place in the morning at Windsor, so if this is a must see for you then this tour will not give you that opportunity.
Check out our experience of this Extended Windsor Castle Stonehenge tour on our blog. Use the banner below to book your place.
Windsor Combination Tours featuring Stonehenge
You can visit Windsor as part of a full day tour visiting three world class attractions in one day. Here are three permutations of the Windsor tour which also all include Stonehenge:
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath tour
This tour visits Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath in that order. It is one of the most popular tours as you will experience three iconic attractions in one day. Included on this tour is: Admissions to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Roman Baths, professional guide, transportation by luxury air-conditioned coach, panoramic coach tour of Bath, audio headset in WIndsor Castle, Stonehenge and Roman Baths, entrance to the Georgian Pump Room and free Wi-Fi on the coach. Use the banner below to book your place at our exclusive price.
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford tour
This tour visits Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford in a day and includes entrance to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and time to stroll round Oxford 'the city of dreaming spires'. You'll receive a free lunch pack, an exclusive 25% off guide books at Stonehenge and a free special bonus walking tour in London. Choose from The Royal Walking Tour or The Beatles London Walking tour. Use the banner below to book your place.
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath small group tour
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 people and visits Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath. It visits Stonehenge first which is usually quieter early in the morning. It then visits Bath and finally Windsor. Being a small group tour you have an expert guide, executive minicoach and it runs every day. Use the banner below to book your place.
Windsor Castle and Bath day tour including free lunch pack
This day tour focuses on just Windsor Castle and Bath City which gives you more time in both. You can add on the optional entrance into the Roman Baths or take the walking tour of Bath City instead.
This day tour gives you access to two of England's most famous sites in one less-intensive tour day.
Hampton Court & Windsor Castle shuttle
Hampton Court & Windsor Castle are only 19 miles (30 kms) apart but there is no convenient public transport option connecting them.
Both Windsor Castle and Hampton Court have train links from Central London and a shuttle service has started connecting both together allowing you to spend half a day at each.
