Top 5 reasons to visit Windsor Castle this summer

Welcome to Windsor Castle! This iconic medieval landmark sits outside London in the United Kingdom and is a fantastic tourist attraction. One and a half million people visit the castle each year, according to the Royal Collection Trust, and there's many reasons why. From the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Changing of the Guard, there’s a lot to explore and discover. Here’s 5 magnificent things to take note of when you visit Windsor Castle next!

1. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.

Windsor Castle is an incredible example of the British royalty adapting through the generations. Currently used as the main residential home for The Queen, Windsor Castle is a working Royal Castle, also open to the public to see its palatial treasures and grounds. The external structure itself stands immense and pristine, highlighting centuries of architectural design. This is also a great opportunity to watch the Changing of the Guard, a ceremony that occurs on Thursdays and Saturdays before 11:00am - so make sure to get there early to see them!

2. The State Apartments

The Queen opens these rooms to the public and they are also used for State occasions and official events, such as for knighthoods and damehoods as well as for foreign dignitaries. Inside these rooms, paintings of old monarchs and foreign diplomats dating back several centuries can be found on the walls, along with international gifts displaying a variety of culture and artwork for everyone to enjoy. This part of Windsor Castle is a must-visit and a lot of artifacts from all around Europe can be seen in this part of the palace.

3. The Jubilee Special Exhibition

On 6 February this year, Her Majesty celebrated her Platinum Jubilee and became the first British Monarch to mark 70 years on the throne. At Windsor Castle, 'The Queen’s Coronation' is one of three special exhibitions to celebrate this achievement. The photo above is a roof of a room part of the exhibition, and it's very carefully crafted.

From July 7th, the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate, worn at Westminster Abbey in 1953, are available for the public to tour and read about its creation. The dress was crafted by the Royal School of Needlework using white duchesse satin decorated with British and Commonwealth floral emblems in gold and silver thread. This took an incredible 3,500 hours to complete.

4. Windsor Long Walk

For many visitors, this is the first site of Windsor Castle they see, as they arrive by car. It's a straight path with a total length of 2.64 miles lined on both sides by trees, designed by Charles II. This is a great way to explore the outdoor space and surrounding parkland and reflect on the grandeur of the castle from a little further away. Perfect for individuals and families alike, enjoy this passage anytime of year and marvel at its beauty.

5. St George's Chapel

St George's Chapel is a Gothic building dating back to 1475 when Edward IV was king. Many monarchs have changed and upgraded the designs both on the interior and exterior, including Henry VII who added the stunning stone ceiling. This chapel was also where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had their royal wedding. This building sits near to the main tower at Windsor and is the official home of the Order of the Garter. Within the Chapel are the tombs of 10 monarchs, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. Step inside a great piece of English History as you wander through medieval stone passageways in the chapel.

Visiting Windsor Castle

Visit the Official Windsor Castle website to book tickets and find out when the best days are for your next trip!