Windsor Castle is the largest continuously inhabited castle in the World, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It is HM The Queen's principal private residence.

The State Apartments and the public areas of the Castle, together with St. George's Chapel, are normally open to the public. In addition there are frequent special exhibitions of outstanding items from the extensive Royal Collection.

The ceremony of Changing of the Guard is at 11.00 am every day in the spring and summer months, and every other day in the autumn and winter months.

Services take place daily in St. George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, to which the public are admitted.  This amazing building is one of the architectural marvels of the Middle Ages.  Built as a chapel for the Knights of the Order of the Garter, it lies within the Castle walls and has been the scene of Royal weddings and funerals for centuries.


Above: Windsor Castle - photo courtesy Phillip Perry

The intricate fan vaulting on the ceiling of the Chapel - all carved of stone, but looking like it has been made of icing sugar - draws gasps of amazement from visitors. 

Among the Royals buried here are Henry VIII, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and their younger daughter Princess Margaret.

The 24 carved wooden "stalls" (or seats)  of the Knights of the Garter are in the Choir, and over each of of the stalls  hangs the personal banner of the Knights, who numbered among their members
the late Sir Edmund Hillary and Margaret Thatcher. 

One of the great days of pageantry for which the UK is famous occurs each June, when the 24 Knights all have lunch with The Queen in the Castle, then process down the hill to the Chapel for their annual rededication service.  This draws thousands of visitors to witness the spectacle.  The Knights of the Garter are personally chosen by The Queen herself, and she rewards people who have had records of public service and have "made a difference" to our society.

 As Windsor Castle is used for State Occasions like the visits of foreign Heads of State it is occasionally closed at short notice and visitors should check in advance of their peoposed visit.

Beyond the Castle itself lies Windsor Great Park with the Long Walk and extensive grounds all of which the public are free to visit.