Located a stone's throw from London, Windsor Castle has been the home of many of Britain's most notable monarchs for over 900 years.
Day trips to Windsor Castle from London allow you to explore traditional English heritage and take a peek at how royalty lives.
You'll be humbled and awed by the grandeur that lies inside the castle walls, and you’ll feel like a member of the nobility by the time you leave.
You will find below everything you need to know about Windsor Castle, one of the best destinations for a day trip from London.
Windsor Castle is located in the county of Berkshire, approximately 35 kilometers west of London.
It's a quick 50-minute jaunt to Windsor Castle by car. You'll take the M4 west out of London and follow it all the way to Windsor. The castle is situated in the center of the town.
You can make the journey to Windsor Castle by train from London's Paddington station. You'll take a train to Slough, where you'll make an easy change to another train that stops at Windsor and Eton Central. The journey takes under an hour and the train station is located just outside the castle grounds.
Windsor Castle day trips usually meet at a coach station in London. Tours begin between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, and normally last 11 to 12 hours. If you select a half-day Windsor Castle tour, you can expect your excursion to last approximately 5.5 hours.
The itinerary differs slightly depending on the location you're visiting alongside Windsor Castle. After departing London, you'll drive to the castle, which is situated just outside the city.
When you arrive, you'll have the opportunity to tour the magnificent castle, either alone or with a guide. Once you've seen how British monarchs live, you may travel back to London.
Alternatively, many tours continue on to Stonehenge, which has existed since prehistoric times.
There is also the option to visit Oxford or Bath. The former is famous for the prestigious Oxford university and as the setting of the best-selling "His Dark Materials" books by Phillip Pullman. The latter was founded in the first century by the ancient Romans and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You'll participate in either a guided walking tour or a coach tour of Oxford or Bath, depending on the tour you select.
There are several day tours to Windsor Castle to choose from. You can decide to visit the site by itself or explore other iconic British landmarks.
This tour allows you to wander the castle at your own pace. You'll arrive at the site by coach, where you'll be handed an audio guide to escort you around its lavish rooms.
You'll have the opportunity to visit St. George's Chapel, which is the resting ground of several royals including Henry VIII. Other must-see sights include the State Apartments and Queen Mary's Dolls' House.
To start this day trip, you'll head to Windsor Castle and roam its opulent rooms, with a guide on hand to point out artworks by Leonardo da Vinci. You'll then discover the natural phenomenon of Stonehenge, which still baffles scientists today.
Lastly, you'll visit Oxford — famed for its university — where you'll take a walking tour around its many historic buildings.
This Windsor Castle day tour stops for a traditional pub lunch where you'll have the opportunity to try British favorites, which include fish and chips, and a roast dinner. As well as touring the castle and Stonehenge, you'll enjoy a coach tour of Bath. The city was named after its ancient Roman baths that are still visible today.
Half-day tours of Windsor Castle cost approximately £70 and last around five hours.
If you'd like to combine Oxford, as well as Stonehenge into your itinerary, you'll pay between £70 and £110. The most costly of these tours include entrance to Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle day trips that include Bath cost between £80 and £130. Some of these include a traditional pub lunch. Tours on the lower end of this price range visit Bath by coach, while those on the higher end take a walking tour of Bath.
Windsor Castle was originally built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. To date, it remains both the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Over the centuries, it has housed almost 40 monarchs, including Henry VIII and Queen Victoria.
Today, Queen Elizabeth II spends a large portion of her time at the castle, including a month-long annual break over Easter.
One of the highlights of Windsor Castle is its luxurious State Apartments. It's hard to believe the level of grandeur when you step into the ceremonial rooms, which feature gold-covered walls.
The ceremonial rooms are still used today to host official events and welcome leaders from other countries. The State Apartments also contain a series of historic rooms, which were built for King Charles II and feature intricately painted ceilings.
Queen Mary's Dolls' House is also a must-see attraction. More than just a regular toy, the dolls' house was created by over 1,500 artists. It features electricity, running water and working lifts. More elegant than the average dolls' house, the model includes a wine cellar and a library with hand-drawn children's books.
St. George's Chapel is designed in a classic Gothic style and is the final resting place for many of England's royals. King Henry VIII is buried at the chapel, alongside his third and favorite wife — Jane Seymour. Alongside burials, the chapel has hosted several royal weddings, including that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Changing the Guard is a well-loved ceremony that takes place twice-weekly. On a Windsor Castle excursion, you can see the smooth handover of duties from one set of royal guards to another. The guards are always decked in traditional bear-skin hats and dashing red uniforms.
Windsor Castle is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. St. George's Chapel is also closed on Sundays.
On all other days, the last admission to the castle is an hour and 15 minutes before closing.
The best time to organize a Windsor Castle day trip is during the summer months. While the castle is busier at this time of year, the weather is usually sunny and warm. This enables you to have a pleasant stroll around the grounds and stop for a picnic if you choose.