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How long for Windsor Castle?

So I'm going there this weekend hopefully and was wondering how long I should budget to be there. 4 hrs? More? Less? I like to take my time and enjoy the grounds. What do you think? Thanks!

Posted by
2773 posts

St George's Chapel is on the grounds. You might want to go to Evensong Saturday night, it's at 5:15pm. St. George's Chapel is the last thing you come to when you tour the castle. After leaving the Chapel you will exit the ground thru Henry VIII Gate. As you exit you will see Horse & Groom Pub across the street. It has great food. If I can be of any more help just send me a private message.

Posted by
6 posts

Hello,
My husband and I were @ Windsor castle in late september and enjoyed the day very much. Took the train from Paddington station, transferred @ Slough and had the magnificient view of the Castle.
5 hours let us tour the castle, state rooms, St. George's Chapel and grounds. We also enjoyed the town of Windsor seeing the crooked house next to the shortest street in England,the home of Nell (King Charles II mistress), the Guildhall designed by Sir Christopher Wren with the columns that do not touch the ceiling (he knew these were not needed for support but he placed them as requested...they just don't support anything!) and saw his own home (now a hotel) before walking across the lovely Thames to Eton. After being in London for 4 days, Eton was very interesting with it's narrow sidewalks old buildings so very well kept up and of course the College with the young lads walking or biking past you in their long tail black tuxedo...just another day @ school!
Have fun!
Karen

Posted by
505 posts

Greetings

I would certainly allow plenty of time - there's a lot to see and it's worth seeing without having to rush.

The Queen isn't always there, so you could quite well get to see the Royal Residence.

Kate

Posted by
2773 posts

Four hours would be plenty of time, you could probably do it in less time. The Queen goes to Windsor almost every weekend, if she is there then the state apartments will not be open to the public.
Hopefully you will be in Windsor in time to see the Changing of the Guards, which is a lot better then the ones at Buckingham Palace. You should also give yourself time to walk to Eton (four blocks away) and Windsor Great Park (about four blocks away). The Long Walk in the park is the private road for the Royal family to use to enter and leave the castle. You get a fabulas view of the Royal Residence from the park. When you are in front of the castle facing it, Eton would be to your left, walk down to the second street on your left, turn left walk the block then cross over the bridge and you are in Eton. Great Windsor Park would be to your right when you are facing the castle. Just walk down the road and it will take you to the park. Have a great time.

Posted by
18 posts

Thanks so much Robin. This is very helpful! I'm hoping to go to a service at the cathedral there on Sunday as well. Is it near/on the grounds or do I need to allow travel time to and from the Castle and church?

Posted by
2773 posts

Kate is right when she said that Queen isn't always there. When she isn't traveling on offical duty, or on her long holiday in August, she is at Windsor almost every weekend. Windsor Castle is her favorite place to go.