Windsor Castle Private & Special Access Tours: Exclusive Experiences for 2026
Windsor Castle offers three main private and special access tour formats: Private Guided Evening Tours (£85 per person, minimum 15 guests), Early Morning Tours before public opening (£50–£55 per person, minimum 25 guests), and a Special Daytime Access tour (£150 per person). All are group bookings arranged directly through the Royal Collection Trust and take place when the castle is closed to the general public, offering an intimate, behind-the-ropes experience of the State Apartments.
For most visitors, Windsor Castle is a self-guided experience accompanied by a multimedia audio guide. But for those seeking something considerably more exclusive — an encounter with the State Apartments without the public present, guided by a specialist from the Royal Collection Trust — a private or special access tour offers a fundamentally different quality of visit.
These experiences are not sold through third-party platforms. They require direct arrangement with the Royal Collection Trust, a minimum group size, and advance planning. In return, they provide access to one of the world’s great royal palaces at its most atmospheric: when the crowds have gone and the rooms are yours alone.
Private Guided Evening Tours
The Private Guided Evening Tour is the most popular exclusive experience at Windsor Castle. It takes place in the evening, after the castle has closed to the general public, offering an intimate journey through the State Apartments with an expert guide.
Schedule: Available every Monday, Thursday, and Friday, from 22 January to 28 December 2026 (excluding 25 and 26 December).
Time: 18:00 to 20:30 (2.5 hours)
Price: £85 per person, or a minimum booking value of £1,275
Group size: Minimum 15, maximum 60
What’s included: Expert guided tour of the State Apartments in English, plus a complimentary guidebook for each guest. A free access companion ticket is available for disabled visitors.
During the tour, groups discover the evolution of Windsor Castle from William the Conqueror’s original wooden fortress through Edward III’s stone rebuilding, Charles II’s baroque transformation, and the restoration of the damaged rooms following the 1992 fire. The guide provides commentary that goes considerably beyond the standard audio guide, drawing on archival knowledge and specialist expertise.
Book This TourYes. Private guided tours of Windsor Castle’s State Apartments are available for groups of 15 to 60 people, conducted in the evenings after public closing. Priced at £85 per person, they must be booked directly with the Royal Collection Trust by telephone or email. A private early morning tour option is also available for larger groups.
Early Morning Tours
For groups who prefer a daytime experience before the public arrives, Windsor Castle offers exclusive early morning access to the State Apartments.
Schedule: Available every Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Price: £50 per person (standard early morning), or £55 per person for select dates, with a minimum booking value of £1,250–£1,375
Group size: Minimum 25, maximum 90
What’s included: Access to the State Apartments before public opening, accompanied by a specialist guide. A free access companion ticket is available for disabled visitors.
Early morning tours offer the same content as evening tours but in natural daylight — particularly advantageous for groups with an interest in the paintings and decorative arts of the Royal Collection, where lighting makes a significant difference to the viewing experience.
Special Daytime Access Tours
For the most exclusive daytime experience, Windsor Castle also offers a Special Daytime Access tour priced at £150 per person. This premium option provides privileged access to the castle on specific dates and is particularly suitable for corporate groups, VIP parties, and travellers for whom the standard visitor experience is not sufficient.
Full details of available dates and specific inclusions for the Special Daytime Access tour are available through the Royal Collection Trust. Contact the Specialist Sales team for current availability.
For visitors who want a private day out combining Windsor Castle with Stonehenge and Bath — with a dedicated vehicle and guide from London — a fully private day tour is also available as a third-party booking:
Book This TourHow to Book
All private and special access tours at Windsor Castle must be booked directly through the Royal Collection Trust. They are not available on third-party booking platforms.
Contact the Specialist Sales team: – Telephone: +44 (0)303 123 7324 – Email: [email protected]
For bookings required within the next 30 days, call +44 (0)303 123 7322 for availability.
The Group Visits & Private Tours brochure, which contains the full 2026 programme, is available to download from the Royal Collection Trust website at rct.uk.
Private Guided Evening Tours cost £85 per person (minimum 15 guests, minimum booking £1,275). Early Morning Tours cost £50–£55 per person (minimum 25 guests). A Special Daytime Access tour is available at £150 per person. All must be booked directly with the Royal Collection Trust.
What Makes a Private Tour Worth It?
The standard Windsor Castle visitor experience is excellent. The State Apartments are richly furnished, the audio guide is thorough, and the castle’s atmosphere is remarkable even when shared with several hundred other visitors. However, a private tour offers something qualitatively different:
- Commentary from a specialist guide who can respond to your group’s specific interests and questions
- The State Apartments without the public present — a level of atmosphere and intimacy impossible during normal visiting hours
- Access to the full rooms, not a channelled visitor route
- A paced experience, not one governed by crowd flow
For corporate groups, anniversary celebrations, travel industry professionals, and heritage enthusiasts, a private tour of Windsor Castle represents one of the most distinctive heritage experiences available in the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can individuals book a private tour of Windsor Castle?
No. Private tours are group bookings only, with a minimum of 15 people for evening tours and 25 people for early morning tours. Individual visitors cannot book private tours at Windsor Castle. The standard admission ticket with multimedia audio guide is the appropriate option for individuals.
Are private Windsor Castle tours available year-round?
Evening tours run from January to December (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Early morning tours are available across a broad schedule. Exact available dates should be confirmed with the Royal Collection Trust when booking.
How far in advance should I book a private Windsor Castle tour?
As early as possible. Private tours fill up quickly, particularly for popular months (April to September) and corporate booking periods. For bookings within 30 days, call the dedicated line at +44 (0)303 123 7322.
Is the private tour conducted in English only?
The standard private guided tour is conducted in English. If your group requires a tour in another language, discuss this with the Royal Collection Trust Specialist Sales team when enquiring.
What is included in the price of a private evening tour?
The price of £85 per person includes expert guided commentary throughout the tour and a complimentary guidebook for each guest. A free access companion ticket is available for disabled visitors.
Can I combine a private Windsor Castle tour with other private access experiences?
Yes. The Royal Collection Trust offers a broader programme of private and exclusive experiences across its properties. The full programme is detailed in the Group Visits & Private Tours brochure available from rct.uk.
