Windsor Castle Audio Tours: Languages, Cost & What to Expect
The Windsor Castle multimedia audio guide is free and included with every standard admission ticket. It covers the Castle Precincts, the State Apartments, and St. George’s Chapel, and is available in ten languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and British Sign Language. A dedicated children’s version narrated by Scorch the Dragon is also available. No pre-booking is required — handsets are collected on arrival.
Windsor Castle receives over one million visitors a year, and the self-guided audio tour is how the vast majority experience it. There is no open public guided tour available for individual visitors, which makes the multimedia guide the primary interpretive tool for solo travellers, couples, and families exploring the castle at their own pace.
Introduced by His Majesty The King himself, the audio tour weaves together royal history, architectural commentary, and personal accounts from members of the Royal Household — making it one of the most authoritative and intimate audio guides available at any heritage site in the United Kingdom.
What Does the Audio Guide Cover?
The multimedia guide follows the standard visitor route through Windsor Castle, providing commentary at every major point of interest. The tour is structured across three distinct areas of the castle:
The Castle Precincts The tour begins outdoors, covering the castle’s exterior, the Lower Ward, the Round Tower, and the approach to St. George’s Chapel. Commentary explains the castle’s origins under William the Conqueror and its evolution over nine centuries of royal occupation.
The State Apartments The centrepiece of any visit, the State Apartments are the ceremonial rooms used by the Royal Family for state occasions and investitures. The audio guide explains the significance of each room, highlights key artworks from the Royal Collection — including paintings by Van Dyck, Rubens, and Holbein — and describes how these spaces function as a working royal palace today. Members of the Royal Household contribute personal accounts of their roles, from preparing a State Banquet in St George’s Hall to restoring the interiors following the devastating 1992 fire.
St. George’s Chapel The audio guide covers the chapel’s Gothic architecture, its role as the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the royal tombs it contains — including those of Henry VIII, Charles I, and Queen Elizabeth II — and its history as a venue for royal weddings, including the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2018.
The Windsor Castle multimedia audio guide covers the Castle Precincts, the State Apartments, and St. George’s Chapel. It is introduced by His Majesty The King and includes commentary from members of the Royal Household. The guide is free with admission and available in ten languages.
Languages Available
The multimedia guide is available in the following languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and British Sign Language (BSL).
The BSL version is delivered as a video tour with subtitles included. For hard-of-hearing visitors, the multimedia handsets are T-coil compatible and equipped with volume control. Neck loops are available on request. A printed version of the audio guide script is available for visitors whose hearing aids are not compatible with the technology.
An audio-descriptive version in English is available for blind and partially-sighted visitors, providing directional information and location guidance throughout the visit.
The Children’s Audio Guide
Families visiting with children can collect a dedicated children’s multimedia handset narrated by Scorch the Dragon. The children’s guide covers the same route as the standard adult tour but presents the castle’s history through storytelling, games, and interactive features designed to engage younger visitors. It is available for children aged approximately 5 to 11 and is free of charge alongside the standard admission ticket.
Free printed trails for children aged 7 to 11 are also available at the start of the visit, providing an additional layer of engagement with the castle’s architecture and history. For more advice on bringing younger visitors, see our guide to Visiting Windsor Castle with Children: Tips, Trails & Family Facilities.
Is the Audio Guide Worth It?
Yes. The multimedia audio guide is included free of charge with every standard Windsor Castle admission ticket. There is no additional cost, and no pre-booking is required. Handsets are collected on arrival at the start of your visit.
Given that Windsor Castle does not offer open public guided tours for individual visitors, the audio guide is the primary way most visitors access structured commentary on what they are seeing. It is well-produced, genuinely informative, and covers the castle comprehensively. Visitor reviews consistently praise the guide as one of the highlights of the experience — particularly the children’s version and the contributions from Royal Household staff.
For visitors who prefer a human guide alongside their audio experience, the best option is to book a Windsor Castle Guided Tours: Which Option Is Worth It? day trip from London, where a professional guide accompanies the group on the coach journey and provides commentary before entry.
Practical Information
Where to collect: Multimedia handsets are collected at the start of the visitor route, immediately after passing through security.
Headphones: You are welcome to use your own standard wired headphones if preferred. Handsets are otherwise provided with headphones.
Return: Handsets must be returned at the end of the visit before exiting the castle.
Photography: Photography is not permitted inside the State Apartments. The audio guide is the primary record of what you see inside. See our Photography & Filming at Windsor Castle: What's Allowed & What Isn't guide for full details.
Booking Your Admission Ticket
The audio guide is included with the standard Windsor Castle admission ticket. To book your ticket in advance — which is strongly recommended — visit our How to Buy Windsor Castle Tickets (2026) guide.
Buy This TicketFrequently Asked Questions
Is the Windsor Castle audio guide free?
Yes. The multimedia audio guide is included free with every standard admission ticket. There is no additional charge and no need to pre-book it separately.
What languages is the Windsor Castle audio guide available in?
The guide is available in ten languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and British Sign Language. A printed script is available on request.
Is there a children’s audio guide at Windsor Castle?
Yes. A dedicated children’s version narrated by Scorch the Dragon is available free of charge. It covers the same visitor route as the adult guide and includes games and interactive features for children aged approximately 5 to 11.
Can I use my own headphones with the Windsor Castle audio guide?
Yes. You are welcome to bring and use your own standard wired headphones with the multimedia handset provided.
Is the audio guide accessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors?
Yes. The BSL version is delivered as a video tour with subtitles. Handsets are T-coil compatible with volume control, and neck loops are available on request. A printed version of the script is also available.
Does the audio guide cover St. George’s Chapel?
Yes. The audio guide covers St. George’s Chapel as part of the standard visitor route. Note that St. George’s Chapel is closed to general visitors on Sundays, when it is open for worship only.
