The Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle is one of the town’s most popular free spectacles — a tradition that’s been carried out since 1660, and one of the best ways to get a genuine taste of British royal pageantry without a ticket.
When and Where to Watch
The ceremony usually starts at 11:00am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, though the schedule can change throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the latest timetable before you visit. For the best view of the procession itself, be on Windsor High Street by around 10:50am — the guards march up from Victoria Barracks on Sheet Street, through the town centre, and on towards the Castle. Windsor High Street and the area beneath the Corn Exchange at Windsor Guildhall both offer excellent vantage points for photographs.
Inside the Castle
Once the guards reach the Castle grounds, the formal ceremony takes place in the Lower Ward outside the Guardroom (moving to the Quadrangle when the King is in residence). The full handover takes around 30 minutes, after which the outgoing guard marches back through Windsor, usually returning to barracks by around 11:25am. Regiments of the British Army take part on a rotating basis, often accompanied by a military band — recent schedules have featured the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment and the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, with music from the Brigade of Gurkhas and The Rifles.
Garter Day: A Grander Version of the Same Tradition
Every June, the Garter Day procession brings a much larger-scale version of this same pageantry to Windsor, as the King and the Knights of the Order of the Garter process from the Castle to St George’s Chapel. It’s a separate, ticketed event from the regular Changing of the Guard — see our guide to Garter Day tickets for how to apply.
Make a Day of It
After a morning watching the ceremony, Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in nearby Bray is one of the Royal Borough’s best-known dining destinations, if you fancy something special. Open Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch from 12 noon and dinner from 7pm.
If you’d rather stay right in the centre of town, Goswell House is a short walk from the Guildhall and the route the guards march along.
If you’re staying overnight, our apartments put you within easy walking distance of the whole route, and our Windsor Castle guide and Top Ten Things to Do in Windsor for Free cover more of what else to see while you’re here.
Buy Windsor Castle tickets here
References
[1] Changing the Windsor Castle Guard — Dates & Times
[2] Windsor Guard March & Changing the Guard — Visit Windsor
[3] Changing the Guard — Windsor Castle
