Windsor Castle From Southampton — The Royal Half Day

Why Windsor Suits A Cruise Day

Windsor is roughly 70 minutes from Southampton on the M3, which is significantly less than central London and involves no congestion charge and no city parking problem. The castle itself needs about two and a half hours: the State Apartments, St George Chapel where the late Queen and Prince Philip are buried and where Harry and Meghan married, and the Changing of the Guard which happens on set days at 11am and is the moment most guests want. Afterwards the town is compact, Eton College is a ten minute walk across the bridge, and a Thames side lunch is easy. The whole day fits comfortably inside an eight hour window with a large cushion.

Guard Changing Days And Ticket Notes

Two details worth knowing. The Changing of the Guard does not happen daily and the schedule changes seasonally, so we check the published dates against your call before promising it. It is also cancelled in bad weather. Windsor Castle tickets are timed and busy in summer, and St George Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays because of services, which surprises many people. If your itinerary includes a Heathrow flight before or after the cruise, Windsor sits almost exactly between the airport and Southampton, which makes a Windsor stop on the transfer day the most efficient sightseeing you will do all trip. We arrange that routinely with luggage in the vehicle.