Self-Guided Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Tour

Exploring the iconic Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle has never been easier. This self-guided tour offers travelers the flexibility to discover these royal sites at their own pace. With entry to the opulent State Rooms and impressive State Apartments, visitors can enjoy the rich history and grandeur that surrounds these landmarks. Complemented by a multimedia guide, the experience provides insights in multiple languages, ensuring an engaging and enlightening journey. Whether you’re an independent explorer or seeking to uncover the essence of British heritage, this tour presents an opportunity to…

Quick Points

• This self-guided tour provides entry to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace.
• The tour includes a multimedia guide available in multiple languages, enhancing the understanding of the palace and castle’s history and architecture.
• The tour operates with a maximum group size of 52 travelers, with transportation provided via comfortable, modern vehicles.
• Certain accessibility and operational restrictions apply, such as no wheelchair access, no pushchairs allowed, and castle closures on specific days.
• Participants should familiarize themselves with the meeting points, operational hours, and tour guidelines to plan their visit accordingly.

Tour Overview and Highlights

This self-guided tour offers visitors the chance to explore the iconic Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle at their own pace.

You’ll have the opportunity to tour the interiors of both palaces, which are only open to the public for eight weeks annually. This makes it an ideal experience for independent travelers and first-time visitors.

The tour includes round-trip transportation from London to Windsor by air-conditioned coach, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey.

With the provided multimedia guide in multiple languages, you can learn about the rich history and fascinating details of these royal residences as you wander through them.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour package includes entry to both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, as well as access to a multimedia guide available in multiple languages.

However, the tour doesn’t include gratuities, food, or beverages, nor does it provide hotel pickup and drop-off services.

It’s also important to note that once booked, the tour can’t be canceled.

The key inclusions and exclusions are:

• Includes entry to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle
• Includes multimedia guide in multiple languages
• Excludes gratuities, food, and beverages
• Excludes hotel pickup and drop-off
• No cancellation allowed once booked

Meeting Points and Transportation

Travelers meet the Golden Tours representative outside Kings Gallery to gain entry to Buckingham Palace.

The Windsor Castle tour starts at Bus Stop 1 Bulleid Way, Victoria. The tours accommodate a maximum of 52 travelers per group.

Comfortable, modern vehicles, maintained to high cleanliness standards, provide round-trip transportation from London to Windsor. This ensures a hassle-free experience for independent travelers and first-time visitors.

The transportation arrangements make it convenient for participants to explore these iconic landmarks at their own pace, without the need for additional logistics planning.

The reliable transportation and centralized meeting points contribute to the overall seamless nature of this self-guided tour experience.

Accessibility and Restrictions

Wheelchair accessibility isn’t provided for this self-guided tour, though mobility access can be arranged directly with Buckingham Palace.

Pushchairs aren’t allowed inside the State Rooms, but baby-carriers are available for loan. Mobile phone use is permitted in the Palace garden, but prohibited inside the buildings. Photography isn’t allowed within Buckingham Palace.

The tour also has these restrictions:

1. St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle is closed on Sundays for services, though visitors are welcome.
2. The Castle is completely closed on December 25 and 26.
3. The tour itinerary is subject to change, with safety protocols in place and a one-way visitor route.

Operational Information

Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in which case visitors will enjoy a walking tour of the town instead.

St. George’s Chapel is closed on Sundays for services, but visitors are welcome.

The tour itinerary is subject to change, and safety protocols are in place with a one-way visitor route.

Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are completely closed on December 25 and 26.

Tour operators maintain high cleanliness standards in their modern, comfortable vehicles, which can accommodate up to 52 travelers.

Guests should note that mobile phone use is permitted in the palace garden but prohibited inside the buildings, and photography isn’t allowed inside Buckingham Palace.

Exploring Buckingham Palace

Visitors to Buckingham Palace embark on a captivating journey through the opulent State Rooms, marveling at the exquisite furnishings and priceless artworks that adorn the halls.

The self-guided tour allows guests to explore at their own pace, seeing the grandeur of this iconic royal residence.

Key highlights include:

1. The Throne Room, where the Queen holds audiences and formal ceremonies.
2. The Picture Gallery, showcasing an impressive collection of paintings by renowned artists.
3. The Ballroom, a magnificent space used for state banquets and other official events.

Throughout the experience, the multimedia guide provides valuable insights, enhancing visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the palace’s rich history and significance.

Discovering Windsor Castle

After exploring the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, the tour moves on to uncover the captivating history and stunning architecture of Windsor Castle.

Travelers will embark on a self-guided tour of the world’s largest and oldest occupied castle, a royal residence for over 900 years. Highlights include the magnificent State Apartments, the iconic Round Tower, and the majestic St. George’s Chapel.

The multimedia guide provides fascinating insights as visitors stroll through the castle’s impressive rooms and gardens. With Tuesdays and Wednesdays off-limits, the tour may substitute a walking exploration of the charming town of Windsor.

This comprehensive experience offers an unparalleled glimpse into the UK’s regal heritage.

Planning Your Visit

To make the most of this self-guided experience, travelers will need to familiarize themselves with the meeting points and transportation arrangements. The tour begins at the Kings Gallery outside Buckingham Palace, while the Windsor Castle portion starts at Bus Stop 1 on Bulleid Way in Victoria.

Travelers should also be aware of a few key details:

1. The tour is limited to a maximum of 52 participants, with modern, comfortable vehicles maintained to high cleanliness standards.

2. Accessibility is limited, as the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, and pushchairs aren’t allowed in the State Rooms.

3. Operational restrictions include the closure of Windsor Castle on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as the closure of the entire castle on December 25 and 26.

Since You Asked

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks to the Sites?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour and cannot be brought into Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. Visitors are advised to purchase refreshments at the on-site cafes if required.

Are Photography and Videography Allowed Inside the Buildings?

Photography is not allowed inside Buckingham Palace, but mobile phone use is permitted in the Palace garden. Visitors can take photos at Windsor Castle, except in certain areas like St. George’s Chapel when it’s closed for services.

Are Guided Tours Available in Addition to the Self-Guided Options?

Guided tours are not available for this self-guided tour of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Visitors must explore the interiors on their own using the provided multimedia guides in multiple languages.

Can I Purchase Tickets Separately for Each Site Instead of the Package?

Yes, visitors can purchase tickets separately for Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. However, the package deal includes round-trip transportation, which may be more convenient for some travelers.

Is There a Dress Code or Any Specific Attire Requirements for the Tours?

There are no specific dress code or attire requirements for the Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle tours. Visitors can wear comfortable, casual clothing that’s suitable for walking around historic sites and outdoor areas.

The Final Verdict

The self-guided Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle tour offers a comprehensive way to explore two of Britain’s most iconic royal sites. With entry to the opulent State Rooms and impressive State Apartments, along with round-trip transportation from London, it’s an ideal choice for independent travelers seeking to enjoy the country’s rich heritage at their own pace.