Windsor Castle vs Buckingham Palace: Which Should You Visit?
Windsor Castle is open Thursday to Monday year-round and offers one of England’s richest heritage experiences at approximately £32 per adult. Buckingham Palace State Rooms are only open to the public from 9 July to 27 September 2026. Windsor has more historical depth, a Gothic chapel with royal tombs, and a fuller visitor experience; Buckingham Palace offers formal grandeur and central London convenience. If you can only visit one, Windsor is the stronger choice for most visitors — unless you are visiting in summer and specifically want to see inside Buckingham Palace.
Choosing between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace is one of the most common questions from visitors planning a London-based royal itinerary. Both are official residences of the King, both are managed by the Royal Collection Trust, and both contain magnificent interiors filled with some of the world’s finest art. But they are very different experiences — and the practical logistics of each differ significantly.
The Critical Difference: When You Can Visit
This is the single most important practical consideration. Buckingham Palace State Rooms are only open to the public in summer. In 2026, the dates are 9 July to 27 September. Outside this window, the palace interior is not accessible to the general public on standard tickets.
Windsor Castle is open Thursday to Monday throughout the year, with a small number of planned closure dates.
This means the comparison is only relevant during summer. For any visit outside the July–September window, Windsor Castle is the only option if you want to see royal interiors.
For visits outside July–September, Windsor Castle is the clear choice — Buckingham Palace State Rooms are not open outside this window. In summer, both are worth visiting if time allows. If you must choose one in summer, Windsor Castle offers greater historical depth, St. George’s Chapel, and a fuller day — but Buckingham Palace is more centrally located and its formal grandeur is genuinely impressive.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Windsor Castle | Buckingham Palace | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | ~950 years (founded 1070) | ~200 years (current form) |
| Location | Windsor, 22 miles from London | Central London (Victoria/Green Park) |
| Open to visitors | Thurs–Mon, year-round | 9 July–27 September 2026 only |
| Ticket price (adult) | ~£32 advance | ~£35 advance |
| Visit duration | 2.5–3 hours | 2–3 hours |
| Photography inside | No | No |
| Royal tombs | Yes — St. George's Chapel | No |
| Chapel | St. George's Chapel (medieval Gothic) | No public chapel access |
| Art collection | Exceptional (Van Dyck, Rubens, Holbein, Rembrandt) | Exceptional (Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Vermeer) |
| Gardens | Castle precincts, Long Walk | Garden walk included (summer) |
| 1-Year Pass | Yes — converts to free re-entry | Yes — separate pass |
| Travel from London | 22–28 min train (change at Slough) | Walking distance from Victoria |
What Windsor Castle Offers That Buckingham Palace Does Not
Nearly 1,000 years of history. Windsor Castle has been a royal residence since 1110 — more than 600 years longer than Buckingham Palace in its current form. This depth of history is palpable throughout the visit. The architecture layers medieval stonework, Tudor additions, Stuart baroque interiors, and Georgian renovations in a way that no palace built in the 18th century can match.
St. George’s Chapel. One of the finest Gothic buildings in England, St. George’s Chapel is the burial place of 11 monarchs — including Queen Elizabeth II, Henry VIII, Charles I, and Prince Philip — and the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, established in 1348. There is no equivalent at Buckingham Palace. For visitors with any interest in royal history or religious architecture, the chapel alone is worth the trip.
A fuller day out. Windsor Castle is set in a historic market town with its own character, a riverside walk, Eton College across the bridge, and Windsor Great Park with the famous Long Walk. It makes a natural full-day excursion. Buckingham Palace, in central London, is typically paired with other nearby attractions.
Year-round access. If your visit falls outside summer, Windsor is your only option for seeing royal interiors.
What Buckingham Palace Offers That Windsor Castle Does Not
Central London location. Buckingham Palace is within walking distance of Victoria station, Westminster, and St. James’s Park. There is no travel time to manage — you can combine it with other central London attractions on the same day.
The iconic facade and gate. The image of Buckingham Palace’s East Wing facade and the Victoria Memorial is among the most recognisable in the world. Even if you never go inside, the exterior is a meaningful stop on any London itinerary.
The Changing of the Guard on a grander scale. The Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard takes place in the palace forecourt and involves a larger ceremonial procession than the Windsor equivalent.
The garden. The summer State Rooms visit includes a walk through a section of the palace’s 42-acre garden — something Windsor Castle does not offer.
The formal grandeur of the 19th century. Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms — the Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, the Picture Gallery — are magnificent in a different way from Windsor: all formal Georgian and early Victorian splendour, without the medieval layers underneath. Some visitors find this cleaner, more awe-inspiring quality the stronger of the two.
Who Should Visit Which
Visit Windsor Castle if: – You are visiting at any time of year outside July–September – Royal history and medieval heritage interest you more than formal palace grandeur – You want to see where Queen Elizabeth II is buried (St. George’s Chapel) – You want a full day out of London, including the town and Great Park – You are visiting with children (Windsor is more family-friendly) – You want to use the 1-Year Pass for repeat visits
Visit Buckingham Palace if: – You are visiting in July, August, or September – Central London convenience is important to your itinerary – You want to see the most formally magnificent rooms currently open to the public – You want to combine a palace visit with Westminster or St. James’s Park on the same day
Visit both if: – You are in London for more than 4–5 days during the summer opening window – Royal history is a specific passion and you want the full picture – See our Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace Full-Day Tour for a combined booking option
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace?
For most visitors, Windsor Castle. It is open year-round, has more historical depth, includes St. George’s Chapel and royal tombs, and offers a fuller day. Buckingham Palace has its own formidable merits but is only accessible in summer. If you visit in July–September and have time for both, do both.
Can you visit Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle on the same day?
Yes, but it makes for a demanding day. The typical order is Windsor Castle in the morning and Buckingham Palace in the afternoon. See our Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace Full-Day Tour guide. Allow 9 hours and wear comfortable shoes.
Is Windsor Castle the same as Buckingham Palace?
No. They are two separate royal residences. Windsor Castle is in Windsor, Berkshire, approximately 22 miles from central London, and dates to the 11th century. Buckingham Palace is in Westminster, central London, and has served as the monarch’s primary London residence since Queen Victoria in 1837.
Which is more impressive, Windsor or Buckingham Palace?
Genuinely subjective — they impress in different ways. Windsor impresses through scale, age, and the accumulated weight of history. Buckingham Palace impresses through formal grandeur and the concentrated splendour of its State Rooms. Most experienced visitors who have seen both rate Windsor slightly more highly, but Buckingham Palace has its own fervent admirers.
Where is Queen Elizabeth II buried?
Queen Elizabeth II is buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Her burial place is accessible to all visitors with a Windsor Castle admission ticket (except Sundays when the chapel is closed to general visitors).
