Working on plans for our trip in July. Could you tell me if I need a full day or half day to visit Windsor from London? We are running a race in Hyde Park that same evening (7pm) I have our day trip planned and I'm wondering if it will be too rushed. I'd appreciate any advice you can give. :)
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
The castle opens at 10:00 and the last admission is at 4:00, closing at 5:15. They recommend advance ticket purchase and arrival after midday for "the best experience." Here's the website. Given your timeframe, you might prefer to get there in the morning and deal with larger crowds but have plenty of time to see all you want. I spent several hours there, including the state apartments and St. George Chapel. You're the best judges of how much walking around you want to do and how much rest you need before a race. I'd suggest you make Windsor your "main event" for that day, apart from the race.
Posted by
Los Angeles
980 posts
Isn't the travel to and from Central London a minimum of an hour each way? I like Rick Steves' and others' advice of going in the afternoon but the Castle, Windsor, Eton and travel really seem to take up the better part of a day. I haven't been; only planning myself and can't seem to fit in Windsor Castle.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7207 posts
If it’s your first visit and you only want to see the castle, then a half day would suffice. If you want to leisurely stroll around the park and town, then a full day would be best. Ensure you know what time the trains depart to go back to London. If you get an early start, you can see the castle and a little of the town, and still make your race.
We took a full day our first trip there, when we stayed in Windsor, but only a half day when we went this past November and we were staying in London.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
The train from London Paddington Station to Windsor is a 35 minute train ride each way.