Windsor Castle and Royal family question
 

Is Windsor Castle open to see the Doll House, the chapel, etc when the Royal Family is in residence? If not where would we find out the information on whether they are there or not

Don't want to make the trip out and be disappointed that we can't get in to see it

Thanks

One more question

I read on a previous post, which I can't find now, that there are two train stations from London to get to Windsor, one from Waterloo and one from Paddington with one of these taking you closer to the castle then the other. Anyone know which puts you closer to the castle?

Thanks

There are only a few days a year Windsor Castle is closed so it makes no difference if they are in residence or not. Windsor only has one train station so it doesn't matter which London station you came from.

Here's some info on opening hours and general info on Windsor Castle.

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/de...D=34#openhours

P_M is correct about it beingopen even when the faqmily is in re3sidence.

But about the train station(s) - nope. There are two stations in Windsor. But it doesn't make any difference which one you use since both are walking distance (from different directions) to the Castle.

I'd just take the train that is most convenient to my starting point in London.

I HATE it when I do that :)

"P_M is correct about it being open even when the family is in residence."

The train from Waterloo goes to Windsor/Eaton (NOT to be confused with Windsor) which is a bit of a hike from the Castle.

The train from Paddington connects in Slough (an easy connection) but goes to WINDSOR station, which is much closer to the Windsor Castle ticket office.

See http://www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page576.asp for details for visiting Windsor Castle.

Thanks, janisj, I didn't realize that a little town like Windsor has a second station. :-)

As others have stated, the castle is open whether or not the Queen is "at home", but fyi the Royal Standard flies over the Round Tower of Windsor Castle when the Queen is in residence - at other times, the Union Jack flag is hoisted.

Windsor & Eaton Central IS closer than Windsor and Eaton Riverside - but not that much closer. Maybe a 5-6 minute longer walk.

I personally wouldn't use Central if it meant a 10-15 minute longer tube journey or walk in London. All things being equal, then yes Windsor and Eaton Central is better.

I believe Green Line coaches also travel out to Windsor/Eton. You can board one at the coach station near Victoria.

The W&E central station plops you in the middle of a shopping and restaurant arcade (some good shops, too, not just tourist trade stuff) a very short walk from the castle. That's the upside.
The downside is the ride from Paddington to Slough can be quite annoying (we do it more often than we'd like). Most trains are not air conditioned. They can be very crowded with obnoxious teenagers. Do NOT under any circumstances splurge on a first class ticket because the first class compartment is invariably filled with ASBO types who don't have tickets for it. On 90% of the runs, nobody checks tickets and on the rare occasion when tickets are checked, these jerks are not fined or booted off the train. They are merely asked to please move to second class. They'll leave all their garbage behind. The filthiest trains I've ridden on in the last 8 years in Europe have been on the Paddington to Reading non-express runs (which stop in Slough). I can't believe the number of passengers who think nothing of leaving vast amounts of trash behind on the seats and on the floor.
I was talking about the difference between the Paddington to Windsor and the Waterloo to Windsor lines with my dentist (here in Maindenhead) on Thursday...when his family goes in to London, they always drive over to Windsor and take the train into Waterloo. The trains are air conditioned, have staff on board, and offer, in general, a far more agreeable transportation option.

Anyway, sorry for the rant, but if you don't mind the extra bit of walking once you arrive in Windsor, go from Waterloo, esp. if your trip is planned for a weekday. And on Sundays, the Paddington to Reading run isn't so bad.

Btilke - I'm also planning a Windsor Visit on July 1st by the Paddington - Windsor train, since my Hotel is in the Hyde Park area. My Hotel guy was also mentioning that the train to Windsor is full of ASBO's and it is better to avoid it. According to him, the return journey to London from Slough is especially unpleasant. Is it so bad that I should go all the way to Waterloo. I'm travelling with 2 small kids.

It's hit or miss. Sometimes it's pretty quiet and no different from any other commuter ride anywhere else. But other times, it's a royal pain. It could be ok or it could be a big mess. If I had the choice, I'd pick Waterloo-Windsor and back. But if it's too much hassle to get to Waterloo with your children, then go from Paddington.
Catch a train from Paddington early, while the young jerks are sleeping off their hangovers.

However, if it's a really hot day, keep in mind that you're much more likely to have air conditioned train rides if you pick Waterloo instead of Paddington.

Thank you so much for all the information it is very informative and helpful.

An update: when my husband came back from Brussels last night, he took the train to Windsor/Eton instead of the usual Paddington to Maidenhead via Slough route.
What a difference! The train was new, clean, air conditioned, seats had plenty of leg room, staff were on board to check every ticket. The staff also helped several people with directions to various places and answered other tourist-related questions. So DH is through taking the trains to/from Paddington unless absolutely necessary.

BTilke - the problem with the Slough route is Slough - chav central!