Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years.

The Castle covers an area of about 5 hectares (13 acres) and contains

• Magnificent State Apartments furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection
• St George's Chapel (one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England and the burial place of 10 monarchs)
• Queen Mary's Dolls House, a masterpiece in miniature
• The Drawings Gallery featuring an exhibition (see below for current display).

During the winter months an additional five rooms, known collectively as the Semi-State Rooms, are included in the visitor route. Standard admission charges apply. The Semi-State Rooms will reopen on Saturday 28 September 2013.

THE DRAWINGS GALLERY EXHIBITION

"The Queen: Portraits of a Monarch"
23 November 2012 to 9 June 2013
Her Majesty The Queen has been portrayed by some of our most accomplished artists and photographers during her reign. This new exhibition presents a selection of official, commissioned and formal portraits that highlight the diverse ways in which Her Majesty has been represented in different media throughout her six decades on the throne. Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the anniversary of the Coronation in 2013, the exhibition includes work by Dorothy Wilding, Pietro Annigoni, Cecil Beaton, Lucian Freud, Rankin and Annie Liebovitz.

“Royal Paintbox: Royal Artists Past and Present”
22 June 2013 – 24 January 2014

For generations, Britain’s kings, queens and their families have been inspired to paint, sketch and sculpt. Accompanying the ITV programme Royal Paintbox, which will be broadcast tomorrow, an exhibition at Windsor Castle this summer charts the history of royal artists from the 17th century to the present day. It includes works by George III and his children, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their children, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra and by Her Majesty The Queen. Also on display are a group of watercolours by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Prince, who is Chairman of The Royal Collection Trust, has described how his love of painting was inspired by his early years at Windsor Castle surrounded by great art – so it is fitting that the Castle’s Drawings Gallery provides the backdrop for an exhibition dedicated to his family’s work.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD (weather permitting)
May 2013: takes place at 11am, weather permitting, daily in May excluding Sundays and 23, 29 & 30 May.
June 2013: takes place at 11am, weather permitting, daily in June excluding Sundays and 1 & 17 June.

Lunchtime Organ Recitals will be taking place in St George's Chapel on 21 May and 4, 11, 18 and 25 June from 13:10 until 14:00. The recitals are free of charge and all are welcome to attend.

Frogmore House and Gardens will be open to the public on 17, 18 and 19 August 2013 from 10:00 until 17:30, with last admission at 16:00. Tickets may be purchased on arrival. Access via Park Street onto the Long Walk. Parking is available.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE CLOSES 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES AFTER LAST ENTRY TIME SHOWN BELOW:
March to October 09:45-17:15 (last admission 16:00), November to February 09:45-16:15 (last admission 15:00).

As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, opening arrangements may change at short notice. Please check before planning a visit. Please note, worshippers are welcome to attend the Sunday services at St George's Chapel but the chapel is closed to general visitors on Sundays.

PROVISIONAL CLOSURE DATES 2013

31 May 2013: St George's Chapel closes at 15:00

14-17 June 2013: St George's Chapel closed
16-18 June 2013: State Apartments closed
17 June 2013: CASTLE CLOSED

5 July 2013: St George's Chapel closed until 10:30
19 July 2013: State Apartments closed

17 August 2013: St George's Chapel closes at 13:00

7-8 November 2013: Semi-State Rooms Closed

13 December 2013: St George's Chapel closed until 10:30
23 December 2013: St George's Chapel closes at 13:00
24 December 2013: St George's Chapel closed to visitors but open for services
25-26 December 2013: CASTLE CLOSED (St George's Chapel open to worshippers).

SPECIAL TOURS FOR PRE-BOOKED GROUPS:
From Great Kitchen to State Apartments - An introduction to the history of royal dining, past and present followed by a guided visit to the Great Kitchen and medieval Undercroft, neither of which are normally open to the public.

This tour is available to pre-booked groups on selected dates ONLY by appointment with the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

Private Evening Tours - In the company of an expert guide, guests will enjoy an exclusive 'behind-the-ropes' experience in the magnificent State Apartments. The tour ends with a glass of Champagne.

This tour is available to PRE-BOOKED groups on selected dates ONLY by appointment with the Ticket and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

Exhibition Talk - The Queen: Portraits of a Monarch - the tour begins in the Castle's Winchester Tower with refreshments and an introduction to the special exhibition in the Drawings Gallery.

This tour is available to pre-booked groups on selected dates only by appointment with the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.

Queen Mary's Dolls House and the State Apartments - the tour offers a fascinating talk and a private viewing of Queen Mary's Dolls House, the most famous dolls' house in the world. The visit begins by exploring the State Apartments at leisure with an audio tour. The guided tour then starts in the Winchester Tower with refreshments and an introduction to the history of the Dolls' House and its delightfully detailed contents. The tour then concludes with a private viewing of the Dolls' House after visitors have left for the day.

This tour is available to pre-booked groups on selected dates only by appointment with the Ticket Sales and Information Office at Buckingham Palace on 020 7766 7322.