Take a day trip from London to Windsor and explore the world’s oldest occupied castle. From St George’s Chapel to the State Apartments, discover royal history, practical travel tips, and hidden views that make Windsor unforgettable.
Overview
A day trip from London to Windsor is one of the most convenient and rewarding excursions you can take. It’s a chance to step into royal history, admire striking architecture, and wander through charming town streets.
Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, remains the highlight of the visit. But the surrounding town also has its own character worth exploring. In this guide, we’ll share our experience, practical tips, and reflections from our journey.
Travelling to Windsor
Similarly to our day trip to Warwick Castle, we caught the 09:38 train from London Paddington with Great Western Railway, changing at Slough for Windsor & Eton Central. With a Two Together Railcard, our Off-Peak Day Return tickets cost £16.20 for both of us — excellent value for a day out.
The journey was smooth, and by 10:18 we had arrived in Windsor.
Windsor & Eton Central Station itself is worth pausing at. It carries a distinct royal charm, a reminder that the monarch can also travel by special train from here to London.
If you prefer an organised trip, you can join a tour from London to Windsor with audio guide and on-site host; book below:
From the station, it’s just a short walk through the high street towards the castle, lined with a curious blend of Tudor-style façades and more modern brutalist architecture.
Best Time to Visit Windsor Castle
We visited in November, which meant the autumn foliage was in full swing, adding rich colour to the castle grounds. Spring and summer are also popular for their gardens, while December has a festive feel with Christmas trees and decorations.
If you want fewer crowds, weekdays outside school holidays are a safe bet.
Windsor Castle: A Walk Through History
Standing proudly for over 900 years, Windsor Castle has been home to 40 monarchs. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has grown into a grand symbol of the British monarchy. Today, it is both a working royal residence and a major attraction open to the public.
1. Visitor Entrance and First Impressions
The entrance to the castle is marked by the statue of Queen Victoria, next to a tall Christmas tree. We had booked our tickets online in advance, which is recommended to avoid queues.
Prices vary depending on the time of year and concessions, but generally, tickets cost around £28 per adult. Yes, Windsor Castle is worth visiting, especially if you enjoy history, royal traditions, and impressive architecture.
2. The Round Tower and Castle Gardens
Inside the grounds, we admired the Round Tower, one of the most recognisable symbols of Windsor Castle.
Rising above the gardens, the tower is steeped in history and has served both defensive and symbolic purposes since Norman times. The autumn backdrop made it particularly photogenic.
3. St George’s Chapel
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring part of the castle is St George’s Chapel. The craftsmanship here is astonishing — intricate woodwork, soaring stained glass windows, and heraldic banners hanging proudly from the ceiling.
The chapel is also the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter and the resting place of several monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II.
4. State Apartments and St George’s Hall
Walking through the State Apartments feels like stepping into a royal world. The rooms are lavishly decorated with works of art from the Royal Collection.
St George’s Hall in particular is jaw-dropping — a vast banqueting hall that hosts state dinners, reminiscent of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
We also admired the Grand Staircase, doubling as an armoury with displays of weapons and war trophies.
5. Changing of the Guard
Although we didn’t see it ourselves, the Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle is a major highlight for many visitors. We have, of course, seen the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London.
The ceremony usually takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, starting at 11:00. It’s worth planning your visit around it if you’d like to experience this royal tradition.
Like what you are reading? Why not join us for other journeys by subscribing to our newsletter:
6. Hidden View: The Long Walk
A small tip — near the castle café, you can peek through a doorway that opens onto the famous Long Walk, a tree-lined avenue stretching over 2.5 miles to Windsor Great Park. It reminded us of the Aventine Hill keyhole view of the Vatican in Rome — a perspective not to be missed.
Here is a photo of the Long Walk from outside Windsor Castle, just to put things in perspective.
Taking a Break: Castle Café and Local Pub
We stopped at the castle café for coffee and pastries. The chocolate raspberry gateaux we tried was delightful — rich but not overly sweet, with the raspberry adding a refreshing tang.
Later in the day, we had a Sunday roast at a nearby pub, which rounded off the visit perfectly before catching our train home.
How Long Does it Take to Visit Windsor Castle?
We spent the whole day exploring the castle and the town. On average, you’ll want at least 2 to 3 hours for Windsor Castle alone, depending on how much time you linger in the State Apartments, Chapel, and gardens.
Book an Organised Tour to Windsor
If you are still unsure how to get to Windsor or still considering different tour options, have a look these organised tours and decide which one is best for you. If you have the time, we would suggest combining Windsor with another destination such as Stonehenge, Oxford or Bath.
Final Thoughts
Our Windsor day trip was the perfect mix of history, culture, and leisure. The train made the journey simple and affordable, while the castle itself lived up to its reputation.
If you’re wondering “is Windsor Castle worth visiting?” — we’d say absolutely. From the grandeur of the State Apartments to the quiet solemnity of St George’s Chapel, it’s a place that captures centuries of royal life.
Ready to book? Below are some recommendations to get your trip started:
- Flights – we use flight aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google flights to find the best options. You can find more information about finding cheap flights here.
- Accommodation – would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com, Trip.com or Agoda to get the best rates. We also use TripAdvisor to read reviews.
- Transport – consider Rentalcars.com for car renting or if you rely on public transport, you can use Omio for trains, coaches, ferries, airport transfers and even flights.
- Activities – a great option is GetYourGuide, Klook or Viator for tours, excursions, experiences and tickets to many tourist attractions.
- Travel money – we have Starling Bank accounts (UK residents only) with 0% fees on FX and a good Mastercard exchange rate. Revolut is another good option.
- Travel insurance – check SafetyWing for travel medical insurance that works for you and your specific needs.
- Internet abroad – with Airalo or Nomad you can access a wide range of eSIMs (digital SIM cards) available for different countries and regions.
- Luggage storage – if you need to store your bags whilst exploring the destination, you can use Radical Storage to find your closest luggage storage and enjoy your journey until the very end.
As an Amazon Associate and member of various other affiliate programmes, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Like what you’ve read? Subscribe to our blog by adding your email address below. You’ll be the first to hear about new destinations and articles we publish!
Are you interested in travelling? Check out our Facebook page and other social media for regular tips and recommendations on how to travel and where to go!
