Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle
Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle
Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle
4.5
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
485 within 3 miles
Attractions
148 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
45 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Almostgreynomad
Sydney, Australia1,166 contributions
Jun 2023
The published times are for the changing of the guard at the castle. If you just want to stand on the street and watch - they go past about 10 minutes earlier ... but they also come back about 20 minutes later. Crowd is less on the return trip !
A good spot to watch (the return trip) are the traffic lights in between the Guildhall and the Queen Victoria statue / corner. Stand of the opp side of the road to the Gulldhall and you will have a great photo as they come around the corner !
It's free to watch ... but the nearby parking (down by the river) is expensive !
A good spot to watch (the return trip) are the traffic lights in between the Guildhall and the Queen Victoria statue / corner. Stand of the opp side of the road to the Gulldhall and you will have a great photo as they come around the corner !
It's free to watch ... but the nearby parking (down by the river) is expensive !
Written 28 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VACO07
834 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We really enjoyed watching this, was very well performed. A fantastic event. Recommended. We didn't enter the castle.
Written 25 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela
Perth, Australia116 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
I’m an avid fan of seeing history in action and watching The Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle is just that as best it can be in modern time! Windsor is also such a lovely location to be part of this and visit a beautiful town.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays be prepared at the latest beside the Castle at the top end of Peascod Street, from 10:50 to see the change. Then at about 11:25 you can see the retiring Guard leave the Castle. There is usually a pipe or brass band to accompany the Guard unless the weather prevents this.
It’s easy, fun, very accessible and really close up. I’ve noticed weekdays on a cold morning are brilliant for less people in attendance.
Drive in and park in time to avoid the road closures which start from memory at 10:15.
The cafes close by are also a wonderful haven to have a hot drink before walking out to watch.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays be prepared at the latest beside the Castle at the top end of Peascod Street, from 10:50 to see the change. Then at about 11:25 you can see the retiring Guard leave the Castle. There is usually a pipe or brass band to accompany the Guard unless the weather prevents this.
It’s easy, fun, very accessible and really close up. I’ve noticed weekdays on a cold morning are brilliant for less people in attendance.
Drive in and park in time to avoid the road closures which start from memory at 10:15.
The cafes close by are also a wonderful haven to have a hot drink before walking out to watch.
Written 11 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeet
21 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
I saw both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle's Changing of the Guards and I thought Windsor Castle's was better. Less crowded, more intimate. The day we were there the Royal Guard of Scotland in full kilt uniforms were being relieved by the Queen's Guard, in their red with black bear fur hats. I couldn't ask for a more picturesque combination of troops. The crowd was thinner by at least 2/3 of what you see at Buckingham Palace, and afterward we were able to stand near the guard on duty for a photo. We were fortunate to be there the day after baby Sussex was born and the palace did a great job of keeping the press away from the castle.
Written 10 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia B
Fort Collins, CO46 contributions
Aug 2019
Our first time watching a Changing of the Guard ceremony and I'm glad it was at Windsor Castle, We were up close as the crowd size is much smaller than Buckingham Palace and there is only a short 2'0 tall fence that you stay behind, so the view is not obscured
Written 17 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin de Gabriele
Birkirkara, Malta17 contributions
Aug 2018
In my opinion, the change of the guard is the main highlight at windsor castle. Check the official site calender before visiting. After Windsor castle visit, you may also enjoy a nice walk by the river.
Written 5 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gpcmjk
Yorkshire, UK279 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
If you time your visit to the castle right you can watch the whole thing from the inside. Really cool.
We love the changing of the guard and we live in Windsor, the novelty has not worn off. But yes, do check if it's happening on the day you're visiting. In Autumn/Winter it doesn't happen everyday.
We love the changing of the guard and we live in Windsor, the novelty has not worn off. But yes, do check if it's happening on the day you're visiting. In Autumn/Winter it doesn't happen everyday.
Written 31 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mimi0267
Ilford, UK59 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
We went to Windsor Castle this morning and there was no Change of Guards on Sundays, very disappointed
Written 10 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeteDalton71
Ascot, UK145 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
As a local I am lucky to see the Guard change most weeks. It is a truly fantastic event that showcases the Castle, Royal Residence and historic ceremonial tradition of the Guard Change dating back to 1660. Views are incredible especially on castle Hill near to Queen Victoria Statue. The Coldstream Guards and band currently change the guard every day apart from Sunday after June 19th. A must see when visiting.
Written 18 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rogi2292
Farnborough, UK39 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
When visiting Windsor, it is a must to watch the changing of the guard. The best vantage point is from the Guildhall, where you can watch the band and guardsmen from the bottom of the street, marching towards you, before they turn at Queen Victoria's statue and into Windsor Castle. If you hang around for twenty minutes or so and position yourself at the junction of the high street and the road to the castle, you can watch them return, where they pass close by.
For any visitor to Windsor, the guard change is a must see. Just make sure that they are going to change on the day of your visit and be in position by 10.45am.
I have watched this event, several times now and it makes me so proud to be British.
For any visitor to Windsor, the guard change is a must see. Just make sure that they are going to change on the day of your visit and be in position by 10.45am.
I have watched this event, several times now and it makes me so proud to be British.
Written 30 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In June our train will get into Windsor at 9:42. We need to drop off our luggage at our B&B, so we won't be able to be to Windsor Castle until 10:15-10:30. Is that enough time to get in with security (pre-booked tickets) and see the changing of the guard? If so, then we considered leaving for lunch as the website says the best time is later. To get back into the castle on the same day about how long would that take around 1:00? Is it worth the hassle to leave and come back to have less crowds?
Written 1 January 2020
I contacted Windsor Castle and got this reply if it helps someone else - good to know the baggage storage is only for the state room and no where else.
Visitors to Windsor Castle must go through airport-style security measures on arrival. If luggage can be fitted through security scanners in an airport (i.e. the size of an item permitted onto an aircraft as hand luggage) it will be possible for visitors to take it into the grounds. However, in order to speed up this process, we advised visitors to travel with as little baggage and items as possible.
Visitors must keep bags with them throughout the majority of their visit. However, there is a complimentary cloakroom facility available at the entrance to the State Apartments as no bags larger than backpacks are permitted in the State Apartments and must be checked in at the cloakroom.
Should you require information regarding left luggage facilities outside of Windsor Castle, please telephone the Windsor Tourist Information Centre on +44 (0)1753 743 900.
Your arrival time should give you enough time to go through security and see Changing the Guard from with the Castle, however this cannot be guaranteed and depends on queueing times on the day.
Written 3 January 2020
Which is best to watch the changing of the guard ceremony. Inside or outside the castle
Thanks
Written 22 June 2018
Intending to visit Windsor in march 2018 if possible which dates can I see the changing the guard at Windsor castle
Written 21 January 2018
I will be staying in Windsor 28th & 29th January and would love to watch the changing of the guards, can someone tell me what day and time this event will happen??? or does it depend on the weather??
Written 17 January 2017
Inside or outside castle. Which is best to watch changing of the guard please
Written 22 June 2018
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing