Windsor Castle School Visits: Curriculum Links, Booking & Practicalities

Windsor Castle is one of the United Kingdom’s premier heritage education destinations. Operated by the Royal Collection Trust — a registered charity — the castle’s learning programme has received both the Sandford Award for Heritage Education and the Learning Outside the Classroom (LoTC) accreditation, recognising the quality and rigour of its educational offer.

For teachers planning a curriculum-linked day visit, Windsor Castle provides a remarkable context for bringing history, art, citizenship, and English to life. This guide covers everything you need to know to plan, book, and prepare for a school visit in 2026.

School Ticket Prices

Free adult-to-pupil ratios:

• Under 5s: 1 adult per 3 pupils
• Years 1 to 3: 1 adult per 6 pupils
• Year 4 and above: 1 adult per 10 pupils

Schools in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead may be eligible for an additional discounted rate — contact the Royal Collection Trust for details.

When Can Schools Visit?

School visits to Windsor Castle take place on Monday, Thursday, and Friday throughout the academic year. The castle is closed to all visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Schools should book well in advance, particularly for the spring term (February to April) when demand is highest. Arrive at the castle at least 30 minutes before your booked workshop time to allow for security and settling in.

Visit Options: Self-Guided or Workshop Session

Schools can choose between two types of visit.

Self-Guided School Visit Teachers lead their pupils around the castle independently, exploring the State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, and the castle precincts. Self-guided visits are available across all key stages from Early Years Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 5. A lunch space in the Learning Centre can be booked alongside the visit.

Note that audio guides are not available for school groups on self-guided visits. Teachers are encouraged to use the Royal Collection Trust’s downloadable pre-visit resources and trails to prepare pupils before arriving.

Workshop Sessions (Led by RCT Educators) Royal Collection Trust educators offer a range of structured, curriculum-linked workshop sessions at Windsor Castle. Sessions last approximately one hour and are designed to be interactive and object-based. Groups booking a workshop session have access to the Learning Centre, which provides fully accessible toilets, storage for coats and bags, and a lunch space.

Curriculum Links by Key Stage

Windsor Castle’s educational programme covers a broad range of National Curriculum topics across History, Art & Design, Citizenship, English, Geography, and Science.

Key Stage 1 & 2 Topics covered include: castles and their features, the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror, medieval Britain, knights and armour, kings and queens, lives of significant individuals, local history study beyond 1066, Magna Carta, and the changing power of monarchs.

Key Stage 3 & 4 Topics covered include: feudalism, the Tudors, the Reformation, abbeys and monasteries, British values, famous people, events beyond living memory, historical interpretation, political power in Britain, and monarchy.

Key Stage 4 & 5 Topics include: political power in Britain, citizenship, British values, the monarchy, significant historical events, and the Reformation.

Art & Design The Royal Collection at Windsor Castle provides exceptional curriculum material for Art & Design, covering art history, chronological understanding, learning from paintings, and critical analysis of artworks by Holbein, Van Dyck, Rubens, and others.

Practical Information for Teachers

Security: All visitors — including pupils and teachers — must pass through airport-style security on arrival. To speed up this process, ask pupils to carry minimal belongings. Do not bring scissors, compasses, metal cutlery, or sharp metallic implements. The Royal Collection Trust can provide clipboards, pencils, and drawing materials on the day.

Learning Centre: Groups that book a workshop session or a lunch space have access to the Learning Centre, which is fully accessible and provides designated school toilets, coat and bag storage, and a safe eating space. Groups on a self-guided visit without a booked lunch space do not have access to the Learning Centre.

Autism and special educational needs: The Royal Collection Trust’s learning programme is designed to be adaptable to a wide range of educational and access needs. A dedicated presentation introducing the castle and the Learning Centre is available for teachers of pupils on the autism spectrum. Ask for details when booking.

Teachers’ Pack: All teachers and supporting adults must read the Teachers’ Pack before their visit. Packs are available to download from the Royal Collection Trust website.

St. George’s Chapel school tours: School group tours of St. George’s Chapel are available for Key Stages 1, 2, and 3, with links to History, Art & Design, RE, the Tudors, and cross-curricular studies. These are arranged through Windsor Castle Learning Bookings.

How to Book

School visits are booked through the Royal Collection Trust. Contact the Learning Bookings Team by telephone via the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)303 123 7321, or book online at rct.uk. For workshops, book as far in advance as possible — popular dates and sessions fill up quickly during term time.