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Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, is the largest inhabited castle in the world and, dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, is the oldest in continuous occupation. The castle's floor area is approximately 484,000 square feet (44,965 square metres).
Together with Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, it is one of the principal official residences of the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II spends many weekends of the year at the castle, using it for both state and private entertaining. Her other two residences, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle, are the Royal Family's private homes.
Most of the Kings and Queens of England, later Kings and Queens of the United Kingdom, have had a direct influence on the construction and evolution of the castle, which has been their garrison fortress, home, official palace, and sometimes their prison. Chronologically the history of the castle can be traced through the reigns of the monarchs who have occupied it. When the country has been at peace, the castle has been expanded by the additions of large and grand apartments; when the country has been at war, the castle has been more heavily fortified. This pattern has continued to the present day.
BUILD YOUR OWN CASTLE
Berkshire SL4 1NJ
As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, opening arrangements may change at short notice. Please check before planning a visit. Please note, worshippers are welcome to attend the Sunday services at St George’s Chapel but the chapel is closed to general visitors on Sundays.
PROVISIONAL CLOSURE DATES 2010
5 March: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm
2 April: Admission to Castle Precincts and St George's Chapel for services only - ALL OTHER AREAS CLOSED
3 April: St George's Chapel opens at 11am
4 April: Castle opens at 1pm
6 April: State Apartments closed
13 April: State Apartments closed
7 May: State Apartments closed
8 May: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm
11-14 June: St George's Chapel closed
12-15 June: State Apartments closed
14 June: CASTLE CLOSED
9 July: St George's Chapel opens at 10.30am
13 October: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm
17 December: St George's Chapel opens at 10.30am
23 December: St George's Chapel closes at 1pm
24 December: St George's Chapel closed (other than to worshippers attending services)
25-26 December: CASTLE CLOSED (St George's Chapel open to worshippers)
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
By Air
www.firstgroup.com/bustravel
By Bus
Windsor and Maidenhead are served by a number of bus routes and frequent services operate from Heathrow Airport, with buses up to every 30 minutes to both towns. All buses from Heathrow depart from the Terminal 5, linked to the Central Bus Station by a free shuttle service .
Timetables are available from the information centres in Windsor and Maidenhead.
For services in and around Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, Dedworth, Egham, Englefield Green, Reading, Staines and Bracknell visit www.firstgroup.com where full timetables are also available to view or download.
For fast Green Line coaches from London visit www.greenline.co.uk
By Rail
Maidenhead train station is an easy walk from Maidenhead town centre. First Great Western operates services from Reading and London to Maidenhead at regular intervals. For trains from Windsor to Maidenhead change at Slough.
South West Trains operates a direct service from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside station. Journey time is approximately 55 minutes. For those visiting Legoland, South West Trains offers an integrated ticket which includes rail travel, shuttle bus from the station to Legoland and entry fee to the attraction. These tickets must be bought from the departing train station. To search the full timetable for the London Waterloo to Windsor service visit www.swtrains.co.uk.
By Road
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is very accessible by road and can be reached from all directions by motorways and major 'A' roads. If you are arriving by car, you may find our parking information pages useful.
Motorways
- By far the most accessible motorway is the M4, with Windsor being just 1 mile from Junction 6.
- On the M4, Windsor is situated 24 miles from London, 26 miles from Reading and 90 miles from Bristol and South Wales.
- As well as the M4, Windsor is only 5 miles from Junction 13 of the M25 London circular motorway making its access to the outskirts of London and other motorway links very easy.
Local 'A' roads
- From Staines take the A308 (9 miles west) or from Maidenhead (6 miles east).
- From Ascot take the A332 (6 miles south) or from Slough (3 miles north).
- From Henley take the A404(M) via M4 West Junction 8/9 (18 miles).
General Enquiries
Royal Windsor Information Centre
The Old Booking Hall, Windsor Royal Shopping, Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1PJ
Telephone: +44 (0)1753 743900 (24-hour information line)
Email: [email protected]
Maidenhead Information Centre
Central Library, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1QU
Telephone: +44 (0)1628 796502 or email: [email protected]
Accommodation Enquiries
Royal Windsor Information Centre (address as above)
Telephone: +44 (0)1753 743907
Email: [email protected]
Online Shop Enquiries
Royal Windsor Information Centre (address as above)
Telephone: +44 (0)1753 743900
Email: [email protected]
Website Enquiries
Telephone: +44 (0)1753 743920 or 743918 or email: [email protected]
Business Enquiries, Press and PR
Telephone: +44 (0)1753 743918 or email: [email protected]