Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle From The West
19 Pictures
Please Click here for Travel to Windsor Castle Please Click here to view The River Thames at Windsor
Key Features
The Changing of the Guard, access to St George’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Dolls House and The State Rooms and Semi-State Rooms ,the walkways and courtyards. The key feature being the sumptuous State Rooms which includes a collection of fine porcelain, suits of armour, ancient armaments, works of art, a banqueting suite, chandeliers and so forth. Photography is not allowed inside the buildings, but the Links give a good indication of what to expect.
Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard proceeds from the barracks on the right of the aerial view (below) at 10:45 am. It passes through the main gates and arrives in the lower castle courtyard at 11:00 am where the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard begins. At 11:15 the old guard leaves and proceeds back to the barracks. They do this every day. Times may vary and there may be some dates missed at Windsor. Check The procession can be viewed from the street or following admission to the Castle.
Admission to the Castle
The entrance is past the castle gate at the top of Castle Street, just at the end of the row of trees. If arriving at Windsor and Eton Central rail station, proceed up the shopping mall, turn right at the top and left at the statue of Queen Victoria. Opening times and Prices. Prices vary and can be cheaper earlier in the week so please check.
There is an airport style security station. After this a walkway leads to the central access point and then a U bend that brings one beside the large central turret, which has a garden where the moat used to be. There is then a choice of continuing around the turret, through the Norman Arch and on to Queen Mary’s Dolls House and the State Rooms. Alternatively one can turn left and proceed towards St George’s Chapel and the parade ground where the guard change. Exit is through the keep, back onto the road.
I was there on a Friday, just after the guard changed as where many others. Consequently there where long queues for the Dolls House and State Rooms. There are two queues, one for both attractions and one for the State Rooms only. They queues were very much reduced by 1:30. Taking lunch whilst waiting seemed like a good idea. Be aware, open containers are not allowed inside any of the castle rooms. 
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This is the band leading the old guard back to barracks, followed by the old guard themselves.
Here is the exit and a statue of Queen Victoria at the bottom of Castle Hill, just where the guard turn. I tried to get her best side. Honestly from the front she could sink ships.
The Tour
This is one of the first sights and leads to the Moat garden. 
Further around the old moat is a the Norman Gate. These light fixtures can be seen in many places. 
This is just outside the entrance to the Dolls House and State Rooms. There are a row of benches and one can take a pew with a view. This is a view of Eton College. It was definitely worth waiting to see the State Rooms. Photographs are not allowed but you can get an idea by returning to the Links further up the page. 
Back to the parade ground and the lonely sentry at the end. 
On the left there are some of the apartments.
If you are lucky you will see a small group of guard about their business. In fact you will hear them first. British sergeant majors do very good impression of screaming eagles and have been known to cut hair with their voices. The poor fellow on his own is not allowed to move even his eyes and not allowed to speak to anyone. They draw tourists who photograph them constantly and have photographs taken beside them. I think the sentries must have an off switch.
Turning to look back up the slope there is the entrance to St George’s Chapel. 
And, it’s always worth looking up. 
Then out through the gate, directly opposite is a flower seller. This street and the one to the right have several cafes and taverns. 
Including this one. 
I hope you enjoyed a glimpse and thank you for visiting. 🙂
Freed From Time 
What fabulous shots of Windsor. I haven’t been there since I was at school – it looks lovely.
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June 11, 2014 at 04:14
Thank You. Hampton Court next. 🙂
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June 11, 2014 at 05:10
STUNNING. Showing this post to my boy soon – 1st grade. He learned European geography and history last fall and winter.
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June 12, 2014 at 02:59
I’m glad it will be of interest. 🙂
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June 12, 2014 at 10:45
What an immense, beautiful facility. And even an attention to detail. I do wonder what would draw one to be a sentry. And how useful is it truly to have guards who are not allowed to look around? I’ll be in the garden sipping tea if you care to converse about these silly-to-me things 🙂
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June 12, 2014 at 20:17
Good morning. I hope you’re not still in the garden, it must be very cold just now.
Well I suppose it’s about tradition, discipline and so forth. Mostly it draws tourists who spend a lot of money here.
The Queen drops by to “take tea” from time to time (she’ll nick anything). I’ll tell her about the guards not paying attention. Somebodies head will roll. 😀
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June 13, 2014 at 09:19
Hahaha! Thanks for an quick afternoon giggle 🙂
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June 13, 2014 at 20:22
Almost like being there! Thanks for posting!
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June 14, 2014 at 13:37
Thank You and thanks for the follow. I’ll try to be interesting. 🙂
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June 14, 2014 at 13:38
Yes!!! This is what I want to do!! How completely fun! Your new blog format rocks and your photos do too!
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June 24, 2014 at 04:04
Thank you . 🙂
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June 24, 2014 at 12:16
I just spent the last half hour looking at Queen Mary’s Doll House. Absolutely incredible. I want to shrink down to Borrower size and live in the King’s Bedroom…..I am sending my husband the link starting with the cars in the garage. He’ll be hooked. We’ve got to see this~
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June 24, 2014 at 05:06
I’m glad you find it interesting. There will be plenty more before your trip. 🙂
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June 24, 2014 at 12:16
I only got to see Windsor Castle from a bus window, so thanks for the tour. I was lucky enough to go through Buckingham (as far as they let lowly tourists go to help pay for its upkeep) though.
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June 26, 2014 at 22:06
You are welcome. 🙂
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June 26, 2014 at 22:50
immagini meravigliose, mi hanno fatto rivivere l’emozione della mia visita in questi luoghi!
davvero splendido
thank you so much
see you soon
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June 30, 2014 at 00:05
You are welcome 😀
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June 30, 2014 at 11:23
Must be awesome castle!
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October 14, 2014 at 11:26
Yes, and an actual residence for the Queen and company. There will be more later.
Thank You for the comment. 🙂
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October 17, 2014 at 10:31