Windsor Castle Opening Hours & Seasonal Closures

Windsor Castle is open to visitors throughout the year — but its operating schedule involves more complexity than a straightforward attraction. Regular weekly closures, seasonal hour changes, and the possibility of short-notice royal closures all affect when you can visit and what you can see. Understanding the schedule before you book is the single most important step in planning a successful visit.

Standard Opening Hours 2026

Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays year-round, with one important exception.

Summer exception (July, August, September): During these three months Windsor Castle opens six days a week — Tuesday through Sunday — and is closed on Wednesdays only.

State Apartments note: Entrance to the State Apartments closes 30 minutes after the last admission time. If you arrive at last admission (16:00 in summer), you will have approximately 75 minutes inside before the State Apartments begin closing procedures. Allow at least 2.5 hours for a complete visit.

St. George’s Chapel Hours

St. George’s Chapel operates on a separate schedule within the castle and has its own closure days and times:

• Closed to visitors on Sundays: The chapel is open for worship only on Sundays. General visitors cannot enter and cannot visit the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II on a Sunday.
• Open for visitors: Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
• Closing time on weekdays: St. George’s Chapel closes at 16:00 on weekdays, regardless of the overall castle closing time. If you arrive at Windsor Castle at 15:00, you have only one hour to visit the chapel.

Practical consequence: Always visit St. George’s Chapel first on your visit — before the State Apartments. If you spend 90 minutes in the State Apartments first, you may find the chapel has closed by the time you reach it.

St. George’s Chapel may also close for services, special events, and royal occasions at shorter notice. Always check the Royal Collection Trust website before your visit if St. George’s Chapel is a specific priority.

Known Closure Dates 2026

Windsor Castle is a working royal palace and closes for state occasions and royal events. The following closures are confirmed for 2026 — always verify the current list at rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle before booking, as this list is subject to change:

St. George’s Chapel additional closure: – 28 February 2026 — Chapel closed

Semi-State Rooms: The Semi-State Rooms re-open in autumn 2026 after restoration work (exact date to be confirmed at rct.uk). They are typically available October to March at no extra charge.

Unplanned Closures: What to Expect

As a working royal palace, Windsor Castle can close entirely or partially at very short notice when required for state ceremonies, official functions, or royal events. This is not rare — it happens several times a year. The Royal Collection Trust publishes a provisional closure calendar at rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle but cannot guarantee advance notice for all closures.

If Windsor Castle closes on your booked day: – Ticket holders whose entry is confirmed at rct.uk will typically be contacted and offered a refund or rebooking – Third-party platform tickets vary by operator — most offer refunds for closures outside visitor control – Tour operators running day trips from London will substitute a Windsor town walking tour on closure days

If the State Apartments close but the precincts remain open: On some occasions only the State Apartments close, while the castle precincts, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, St. George’s Chapel, and the grounds remain accessible. Admission prices are reduced on these days. This is listed on the closure calendar.

Check the flag: A practical real-time indicator of the King’s presence is the flag flying from the Round Tower. When the Royal Standard (the monarch’s personal flag) is flying, the King is in residence — increased likelihood of ceremonial activity and potential for disruption, though not a guarantee of closure.

Seasonal Visitor Patterns

Best months to visit for quiet: November to February (weekdays) Winter is Windsor Castle’s quietest period. The Semi-State Rooms are open during these months, extending the visitor route with five additional richly decorated rooms that are inaccessible in summer. Weekday visits outside school holidays are particularly uncrowded.

Busiest months: July and August The castle opens six days a week in summer but is significantly busier than at any other time of year. Morning slots fill fastest — book early in the day if possible.

Best season for the Changing of the Guard: April to July The ceremony runs on the most frequent schedule during this period. For confirmed days, check the British Army’s Household Division website. See our Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle guide.

Semi-State Rooms season: October to March Five rooms of George IV’s private apartments — among the most ornately decorated in the castle — are added to the visitor route from October to March at no extra charge. For 2026, these are due to reopen in autumn after restoration works. Visitors who specifically want to see the Semi-State Rooms should plan a visit outside summer.

How Much Time to Allow