Located in the quaint English town of Windsor, this royal residence is the largest continually inhabited castle in the world.
A visit to the palace will give you a unique insight into the lives of the modern Royal Family, as well as the ability to experience important aspects of British history.
There are many great tours of the castle available that not only allow you to skip the lines, but also provide you with transportation to and from the site, as well as trips to other iconic locations in South England.
These are the 15 best tours you can take to Windsor Castle.
1. Windsor Castle Admission Ticket
Source: Mistervlad / shutterstockExplore the castle and grounds at your own pace with this basic admission ticket. This ticket allows you to skip the lines and head straight into the castle on your chosen time slot.
It also gives you access to St George’s Chapel, where King Henry VIII was buried. You can explore all areas of the castle open to the public, including the state apartments.
Some areas are closed at certain times when the Royal Family are in residence, so do check this before booking your ticket.
2. Windsor Castle Afternoon Sightseeing Tour from London
Source: shutterstockIf you want something a bit more structured and need to work out transport from London, this tour is a good option.
The Windsor Castle portion of the tour is still unguided, allowing you to explore at your own pace, however, audio guides are provided in eight different languages to help you understand the history of the building in more depth. You will also be able to visit Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and St George’s Chapel as part of the tour.
Pick up and drop off is made from a location in central London, letting you sit back and relax on your journey to the castle.
3. From London: Full Day Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford Tour
Source: Justin Black / shutterstockHit some of the other famous attractions in Southern England with this tour. Not only will you gain access to Windsor Castle, but you will also be taken to Stonehenge and Oxford.
Stonehenge is a Neolithic stone circle located near Salisbury, and Oxford is a famous university town with great examples of old architecture and a quaint pub scene.
You will be given audio guides to each attraction, and transport from Central London is included. Your tour in Oxford will be hosted by a live guide with personal connections to the town.
4. The London Pass with Free Entry to 60 Attractions
Source: getyourguide.comIf you are going to be based in London and plan on visiting multiple attractions, this pass gives you access to 60 of the most popular sights across the city and beyond.
Windsor Castle is included in the pass; you will be given fast-track entry allowing you to spend more time exploring the area. It also includes a one day ticket on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour and various discounts to shopping and dining locations across the city.
There are a few different options ranging from one to ten days, depending on how long you are spending in the city and how much you want to explore.
5. Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Day Tour
Source: Valdis Skudre / shutterstockThis is another great tour if you are looking to hit a few landmarks in one day. Aside from Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, you will also visit the ancient Roman spa town of Bath. Whilst in Bath, you can discover Roman ruins and one of the best-preserved Roman Baths in the world.
You can also take in some of the local culture in Bath and enjoy an afternoon tea at one of the most popular tea houses in the country. This tour includes a live guide and transportation in a luxury coach.
6. From London: Windsor Half-Day Tour
Source: Kiev.Victor / shutterstockThis tour is similar to the afternoon tour, however, it takes place in the morning and finishes around lunchtime.
It is an excellent option if you are pressed for time and don’t mind getting up a bit earlier. You are also given a short tour around the town of Windsor, giving you a deeper insight into the lives of the locals.
Entrance tickets are included and you will be given an audio guide upon arrival. You will have free time to explore the surrounding gardens of the castle before making the trip back to London.
7. Small Group Windsor Castle Express Tour by Train
Source: Kiev.Victor / shutterstockThis tour lets you take a relaxing train ride to Windsor and Eton, getting you there faster than a bus and giving you more time in each location.
A professional tour guide will lead you through both towns, where you can learn about English traditions and enjoy the delightful riverside setting.
Entrance tickets to Windsor Castle are included and you will be provided with an audio guide. Group sizes are limited to allow for a more intimate experience.
8. Windsor Castle and the London Eye Half-Day Tour
Source: Kiev.Victor / shutterstockThis tour begins with a trip to Windsor Castle, where you will have full access to the castle, grounds and St George’s Chapel, complete with an audio guide.
After visiting the castle, you will return to London for a trip on the London Eye. The large monument in the center of London gives you great views over the Thames, Houses of Parliament, and Tower of London as you soar up to 130m above street level.
This is a great tour for ticking two excellent attractions off your list. The London Eye itself provides plenty of great photo opportunities.
9. Windsor Castle Tour with Fish and Chips Lunch London
Source: DronG / shutterstockThis is another great half-day tour to the castle that takes 5.5 hours from London. Your driver will also function as an expert guide, describing all the unique locations and historical sites on the way to the castle.
Entry tickets are included, as well as a multilingual audio guide. Upon your return to London, you can feast upon a complimentary lunch of fish and chips.
The typical British grub of thick chips and battered fish will be provided in a traditional English pub, giving you a very local experience.
10. The Original Windsor Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour
Source: getyourguide.comIf you want to see more of Windsor after your visit to the palace, this hop-on-hop-off bus provides a great overview of the town as well as of neighboring Eton.
There are eleven stops along the way and you can use the bus as many times as you want within a 24 hour period. A multilingual audio guide is included on board to provide additional historical and cultural information about the quaint English towns.
11. London: Panoramic Tour and Visit to Royal Windsor
Source: Paul Daniels / shutterstockThis tour begins with a short trip to Runnymede – an important historical site where the revolt that resulted in the Magna Carta took place.
You will then be taken to Windsor Castle to learn more about the history of the Royal Family and get an insight into how the modern royals live.
A short lunch break is given in Windsor before returning to London, where you will get a tour through the most iconic attractions – from the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street to famous nightclubs and restaurants.
Photo stops are taken, and a live guide on board will provide you with excellent commentary about the city they call home.
12. Southampton-London via Salisbury, Stonehenge, and Windsor
Source: martinjamescook / shutterstockIf you are arriving at the port of Southampton and plan on making your way straight to London, this tour is a great way to spend your first day discovering other important attractions in the South of England.
You will have the opportunity to visit Salisbury – a unique English town dominated by a large gothic cathedral. Afterward, the tour continues to Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
Entry tickets are not included, however, can be purchased at a discounted rate from the guide. The bus will drop you off either in Central London or at Heathrow Airport.
13. Windsor Castle Tour and Traditional Lunch
Source: Piotr Wawrzyniuk / shutterstockThis tour gives you an in-depth look into the town of Windsor, beginning with a lunch at the Harte and Garter Hotel and Spa.
Here, you will enjoy a traditional main course and a dessert before continuing your tour. A local tour guide will take you around the most famous historical spots in town.
You will also be given admission to Windsor Castle and a multilingual audio guide. The tour finishes with a visit to St George’s Chapel.
14. From London: Windsor Castle, Runnymede, and Kew Gardens
Source: elRoce / shutterstockThe nearby town of Runnymede is steeped in medieval history. Your expert tour guide will discuss the importance of the town – from the Magna Carta to King Henry VIII’s courting of Anne Boleyn.
You will then continue to Windsor Castle, where you will be given an audio guide. On the way back to London, the tour stops at Kew Gardens.
These gardens are the largest UNESCO World Heritage Site in London and showcase a variety of architectural styles.
15. Private Tour from London: Windsor Castle & Hampton Court
Source: Kirill Ts / shutterstockTravel in style to Windsor Castle with this private tour that includes transport in a luxury sedan with a private chauffeur.
As it is a private tour, you are free to choose your own itinerary for your visits to Windsor, the castle, and Hampton Court. Pick up is included from any location in Central London. The chauffeurs are all highly trained experts in navigating this area of the country.
It also includes a visit to Hampton Court – another Royal Palace that is said to be haunted by two of Henry VIII’s wives. You can experience breathtaking views over the London skyline from the palace tower.