Will be in London in early July with my husband and daughter. Planning on a trip to Windsor to visit the castle. Since it will be summer/peak season, I'd like to book castle tickets in advance. I'm just not sure about entry time. According to the Windsor Castle website, the changing of the guards does not happen there every day. Unfortunately we are heading to Windsor on a Friday, which does not do the changing of the guard ceremony. I've read that a better time to visit the castle is either during the changing of the guards or afterward (late morning/early afternoon) so the inside of the castle is less crowded. I've also read that coaches arrive for the 10am opening time and leave after the changing of the guard (late morning). Since we will be visiting on a day that does not offer the changing of the guard (and it will be summer), will it make much difference from a crowd standpoint if we arrive when the castle opens (10am) or late morning/after lunch? What arrival time do you suggest?

It's been a while since I visited Windsor Castle but generally speaking, I'd aim to get there 10 or 15 minutes before it opens. You can be one of the first ones to enter the grounds. I can't remember if there is a route that visitors have to take once inside or if you can wander (obviously only in the visitor areas). If there is no set route, head first to anywhere that's of particular interest.

Don’t overthink things. Book for a time that is comfortable for your family taking travel time, late sleepers, etc into consideration. There is no time the castle is ‘uncrowded’ but they handle the queues pretty well

I agree with Kay. When we went in 2017, I booked the first available time, and we were literally the first ones inside the castle, meaning it was uncrowded ... for a while. Link to day trip there below...

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/cha...fathers-visit/

Thanks maitaitom! Great trip report. Thank you!

Janisj - I appreciate this more than you'll ever know. I am quite the overthinker.

Kay- Thank you for the excellent suggestion!

One thing to rememberer- 2023 is likely to be more crowded than even just a few years ago and -lots has happened including a funeral, burial, coronation, concert in the grounds, and more attention on monarchs and Windsor than any time in decades/several life times.

Timed tickets do help regulate the flow but there will be crowds no doubt pretty much all day