Best Time to Visit Windsor Castle: Season, Day & Time of Day

There is no universally perfect time to visit Windsor Castle. The right time depends on what you prioritise — whether that is the fewest crowds, the richest indoor experience, the best photography conditions, the Changing of the Guard, the Semi-State Rooms, or simply fitting a visit around a London trip. This guide lays out each variable honestly so you can make the right decision for your specific visit.

By Season

Spring: March to May — Good Balance, Building Crowds

Spring is one of the better times to visit Windsor Castle. March and April are quiet by summer standards, the castle’s extended summer hours (10:00–17:15, last admission 16:00) kick in from March, and the castle grounds are at their most photogenic as the Long Walk’s trees come into leaf and the Moat Garden begins to flower.

The Semi-State Rooms close for the summer period in late March or early April — if these extra rooms matter to you, visiting before the end of March captures both spring conditions and the winter interior route.

Crowds build steadily through May as the UK school holiday calendar begins to bite. Easter week is the single busiest period of the spring season — comparable to peak summer in terms of visitor numbers. Avoid Easter weekend and the school half-term week in late May if crowd levels matter.

Best for: First-time visitors who want good weather without peak summer crowds. Book a March or April weekday for the quietest spring experience.

Summer: June to August — Busiest Season, Longest Hours

Summer is Windsor Castle’s peak season and its most demanding for crowd management. The castle is open six days a week (closed Wednesdays only in July, August, and September), with the longest hours of the year. Visitor numbers are at their maximum — large crowds descend from May through September, with July and August the most intense.

The State Apartments fill with large coach tour groups in the morning. Windsor Castle is particularly busy from opening and throughout the morning — the period between 10:00 and 13:00 on summer weekends is the most crowded window of the entire year. Late afternoon, from around 3pm, is when many tours leave, making the castle less crowded.

The summer months also bring one practical advantage: Tuesday opening returns in July, August, and September, giving slightly more choice of day.

What summer does not offer is the Semi-State Rooms — these are closed from approximately April to October. If the fullest possible indoor experience is your goal, summer is not the best choice.

Best for: Visitors with no flexibility on dates, families during school holidays, or anyone combining Windsor with a summer London trip who accepts the crowds.

Avoid: Saturday mornings in July and August — the busiest single window of the year.

Autumn: September to October — The Best Overall Window

Autumn is widely considered the optimal season for visiting Windsor Castle, and the case for it is strong. Winter months offer quieter visits and better photo opportunities — and early autumn captures this quality while the castle still has its longer summer hours.

Specifically, October is close to ideal: the crowds from the summer peak have dissipated, the light is lower and warmer for outdoor photography, the Long Walk’s avenue of trees is at its most dramatic in autumn colour, and the Semi-State Rooms reopen from approximately October onwards at no extra charge. The castle still closes Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the Monday–Thursday–Friday–Saturday window gives good flexibility.

September retains some summer busyness in the first half of the month — particularly during the UK school summer holidays which run into early September in some regions. The second half of September and all of October represent the sweet spot.

Best for: Most visitors, most of the time. October weekday afternoons are the single strongest recommendation this guide can make for first-time visitors with date flexibility.

Winter: November to February — Quietest Crowds, Richest Interior Route

Winter is the quietest season at Windsor Castle and, in terms of what you see indoors, arguably the most rewarding. The castle is quieter from October through February, when fewer visitors mean shorter lines at highlights such as the State Apartments, and more opportunity to savour everything it offers.

The Semi-State Rooms — five additional rooms created by George IV as his private apartments — are included in the visitor route from approximately October to March at no extra charge. These rooms contain some of the finest French decorative arts of the early 19th century and are not accessible in summer. Combined with the smaller crowds, winter visitors get measurably more for the same ticket price.

The practical limitations are shorter opening hours (10:00–16:15, last admission 15:00) and the reduced time this gives between arriving and the 16:00 chapel closing. A morning entry slot in winter requires more careful timing than a summer visit. The castle also has confirmed closures in January, the Christmas period, and occasionally for state occasions.

Best for: Visitors who specifically want the Semi-State Rooms, or who prioritise a quieter, more intimate experience over longer hours.

By Day of the Week

Thursday is the best single day. The full Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at 11:00, giving morning visitors the option of seeing the ceremony before or after the State Apartments. Crowds are lighter than Saturday. The castle is open. St. George’s Chapel is open all day.

Sunday is the worst day for first-time visitors. St. George’s Chapel — which contains Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb and is one of the principal reasons many people visit — is closed to general visitors on Sundays. A first-time visitor arriving on a Sunday cannot access the chapel or pay respects at the burial place. Visit on any other day.

Wednesday is closed. Year-round, without exception.

Saturday offers the full Changing of the Guard but carries the heaviest crowds, particularly in summer. If Saturday is your only option, book an afternoon entry slot rather than morning.

By Time of Day

Morning (10:00–12:00): Busiest Window

Morning is simultaneously the most popular arrival time and the least recommended for crowd-sensitive visitors. Windsor Castle is busiest immediately after opening and after the Changing of the Guard ceremony, with afternoons and weekdays generally quieter. Coach tour groups arrive in the morning and clear the State Apartments by approximately 12:00–13:00.

The one reason to choose a morning slot: the Changing of the Guard. The ceremony takes place at 11:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and to see both the ceremony and St. George’s Chapel before its 16:00 closing, a morning entry (10:00 or 10:30) is needed. If you want the ceremony, arrive early and go to the chapel first.

Midday (12:00–14:00): Transition Window

Visiting around noon or in the afternoon is generally recommended to avoid the peak morning crowds. The period between 12:00 and 14:00 is the transition — coach groups are leaving, but the castle is still busy with individual visitors. Lunchtime at the Undercroft Café peaks between 12:30 and 14:00; if you plan to eat there, aim for before or after this window.

Afternoon (14:00 onwards): Recommended for Most Visitors

Late afternoon is when many tour groups have dissipated, making it a more relaxed time to explore. An entry slot between 13:00 and 14:00 gives you the quieter second half of the day, with 2.5–3 hours of visiting time before the castle closes. The key constraint: St. George’s Chapel closes at 16:00. Go there first on arrival, even on an afternoon slot, to ensure you don’t miss it.

In winter, last admission is at 15:00 — an afternoon slot cuts into visiting time significantly. In winter, a morning or midday entry is the better call.

Special Considerations

Best Time to See the Changing of the Guard

Book a Thursday or Saturday, arrive at 10:00 or 10:30, go directly to St. George’s Chapel on entry, and be in the Lower Ward by 10:30 to position yourself for the 11:00 ceremony. After the ceremony, proceed to the State Apartments for the quieter afternoon period.

Best Time to See the Semi-State Rooms

Visit between October and late March (exact dates subject to announcement — check rct.uk). The Semi-State Rooms are currently undergoing restoration and are due to reopen in autumn 2026. Once open, they are included at no extra charge on the standard visitor route during these months.

Best Time for Photography

Autumn and winter provide the best outdoor photography conditions — lower sun angle, warmer light, fewer people in frame, and the Long Walk at its most dramatic. The North Terrace and Moat Garden are quietest on weekday afternoons. Morning light from the south and east suits the castle’s principal facades.

Best Time to Avoid School Groups

School groups visit Windsor Castle predominantly on weekday mornings during term time. An afternoon entry slot on a weekday — even during term time — typically avoids the worst of the school group congestion. School holidays bring families but fewer organised groups.

Quick Reference: Best Combinations