We want to buy tickets ahead of time but the website doesn’t seem to say if there is a window of time for entry. It just gives times. We will be arriving by train from some distance and are not sure exactly when we will get to the castle. If we buy 13:00 tickets will they let us in at 14:00, for example?
Thanks!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16616 posts
If you're purchasing for an entry time of 13:00, then they expect you to be there at 13:00. Tickets are timed-entry to manage the crowds. According to the visiting rules for Official Residences:
https://www.rct.uk/about/policies/terms-and-conditions
"2.4 Where a time of visit is stated on the Admission, you will not be admitted if you arrive late unless a later admission time becomes available on that day, and then only at our absolute discretion. No refund will be made should you arrive late, on the wrong day or after opening hours and not be admitted. If you arrive early, you will not be admitted until the time specified on the Admission unless we agree otherwise"
And because they state that....
"Access to St George’s Chapel may be limited after 14:30, particularly on Saturdays. Please arrive earlier to avoid disappointment."
...I would make every effort to book and arrive earlier than 14:00 as, IMHO, it is one of the most interesting parts of the castle. The chapel is closed on Sundays, BTW.
Posted by
OP
518 posts
Thank you! This is good to know. We definitely want to see St. George’s. I think I can move things around and make it happen earlier in the day.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16616 posts
Excellent! The chapel really IS very interesting so I'm delighted you can move things around to be more sure of sure of getting in and not rushing through it! :O)
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14818 posts
When you enter the castle most people head around "back" to enter the main building as that is how the audio guide is set up. You can go to St George's first then double back to the rest of the castle that is open if your time is short.
I visited in May and was slightly disappointed in the Chapel visit. In previous years you could go in and look at things on your own. Last time there was a line snaking around the outer aisles that you needed to get in to. It was basically funneling everyone by Queen Elizabeth's tomb (no pictures there) in a shuffle. You could not enter the nave area as it was roped off I'd suspect for crowd control.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16616 posts
Oh wow, Pam! I didn't think about the attraction of QEII's burial place, which wasn't a factor when we were there as she was still very much alive. I'm sure that's making a difference in St George's visitation numbers.