Windsor Castle vs Kensington Palace: Which Should You Visit?

Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace represent two very different approaches to the royal palace visit. Windsor is one of the oldest and most historically significant buildings in England — a castle first, a palace second, with close to a millennium of royal occupation. Kensington Palace is a compact Georgian mansion that became royal in the 17th century and is best known today as the residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Understanding the difference before you book helps you choose the experience that suits your interests — or plan an itinerary that combines both.

Side-by-Side Comparison

What Windsor Castle Offers That Kensington Palace Does Not

Scale and historical weight. Windsor Castle covers 13 acres and has been continuously occupied since 1110. It has been home to 40 monarchs and has served as the backdrop for centuries of English and British history — from the Black Death, through the Civil War, through two World Wars. Kensington Palace was not acquired as a royal residence until 1689 and was last used as the primary residence of a reigning monarch under George II in the 18th century.

St. George’s Chapel and royal tombs. The 15th-century Gothic chapel is the burial place of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II, Henry VIII, Charles I, and Prince Philip. There is no equivalent at Kensington Palace. For anyone who wants to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II, Windsor is the only option.

The State Apartments and Royal Collection. Windsor’s State Apartments contain one of the finest displays of European art accessible to the public anywhere — paintings by Van Dyck, Rubens, Holbein, and Rembrandt in the ceremonial rooms still used by the Royal Family. The overall quality of objects on display is significantly higher than at Kensington Palace.

The physical experience of a castle. Windsor looks and feels like a castle — towers, battlements, a moat garden, a round tower visible for miles. Kensington Palace is a handsome Georgian mansion. For visitors drawn by the romance of a medieval fortification, Windsor delivers something Kensington cannot.

What Kensington Palace Offers That Windsor Castle Does Not

Central London location. Kensington Palace is in Kensington Gardens, directly adjacent to Hyde Park. It is a 10-minute walk from High Street Kensington or Queensway Underground stations. There is no travel time, no train change, and it fits easily into a central London itinerary.

Photography inside. You can photograph the State Apartments and exhibitions at Kensington Palace freely. This is a significant practical difference for visitors who want to document their visit.

Rotating exhibitions. Kensington Palace typically runs themed exhibitions on royal fashion, personal royal history, and contemporary royal topics. These change regularly and offer a different entry point for visitors drawn to the personal lives and wardrobes of royal figures rather than to art history and architecture.

The Diana connection. Kensington Palace was Princess Diana’s home until her death in 1997, and occasional exhibitions have showcased her clothes and personal history. The Sunken Garden outside the palace — redesigned as a memorial garden to Diana — is a popular and moving spot.

Queen Victoria’s story. Kensington Palace is where Queen Victoria was born and grew up, and the rooms associated with her early life are among the palace’s most interesting. The painting of Victoria receiving news of her accession, shown in the very rooms where it occurred, has a particular poignancy.

Lower ticket price. At approximately £20 per adult, Kensington Palace costs about £12 less than Windsor Castle. For budget-conscious visitors, this difference is not insignificant.

Different Types of Visitors: Who Should Go Where

Choose Windsor Castle if: – Royal and British history is your primary interest – You want to visit St. George’s Chapel and see where Queen Elizabeth II is buried – You want a full day out from London, including the town and Windsor Great Park – You are visiting with children (Windsor is more family-friendly and physically dramatic) – You have more than 3–4 days in London and want a proper day trip

Choose Kensington Palace if: – You want to stay in central London and combine with Hyde Park, the V&A, or South Kensington museums – Princess Diana’s story or Queen Victoria’s early life is a specific interest – You want photography inside a royal palace – You have less time or a tighter budget – You are visiting as part of a broader central London day

Visit both if: – You are spending more than 4–5 days in London and want to explore multiple royal residences – A Kensington Palace visit can be added onto a central London day without significant extra travel time (the Underground journey from central London is 20–30 minutes)

Practical Differences

Getting there: Windsor Castle requires a 22–28 minute train journey from London Paddington (changing at Slough), plus a 5-minute walk to the entrance. Kensington Palace is accessible from High Street Kensington (Circle/District lines) or Queensway (Central line) in approximately 15–20 minutes from central London.

Time required: Windsor Castle requires at least 2.5 hours and realistically half a day with travel. Kensington Palace can be comfortably covered in 1.5–2 hours and combined with other central London activities.

Managed by different organisations: Windsor Castle is managed by the Royal Collection Trust (rct.uk). Kensington Palace is managed by Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk). Membership or passes for one do not apply to the other.