Two Very Different Royal Residences

Choosing between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Both are working royal residences and both offer a glimpse into the life of the British monarchy, but they differ significantly in history, scale, atmosphere, and what is available to visitors.

Windsor is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, with nearly a millennium of continuous royal habitation. Buckingham Palace, by contrast, has only served as the official London residence of the monarch since Queen Victoria moved in during 1837. Its origins are as a townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703.

What You Can See

Windsor Castle

Windsor offers a richer and more varied visitor experience. The State Apartments contain masterworks by Rubens, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt. St George's Chapel is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the burial place of ten monarchs. Queen Mary's Dolls' House is a unique attraction in its own right. The castle precincts, the Round Tower, and the views across the Thames Valley all add to the visit.

Windsor is open to visitors for most of the year, though certain rooms may close when the castle is being used for official functions or when the King is in residence in specific areas. You can check whether the King is at Windsor Castle by looking at the flag flying above the Round Tower.

Buckingham Palace

The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to the public only during the summer, typically from late July to September, when the monarch is away. The rooms are lavishly decorated and include the Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, and the Picture Gallery, which houses works from the Royal Collection.

The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place in the forecourt and is free to watch year-round (though the schedule varies by season). This is one of the most popular spectacles in London and does not require entry to the palace itself.

Location and Accessibility

Buckingham Palace sits in the heart of London, at the end of The Mall, within walking distance of St James's Park, Green Park, and Westminster. It is easy to include in a London sightseeing day without significant travel.

Windsor requires a trip outside central London. The fastest route is by train from London Paddington to Windsor and Eton Central (changing at Slough), which takes about 50 minutes. Alternatively, trains run from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside in roughly an hour. The castle is a short walk from both stations.

The journey to Windsor, however, is part of the appeal. The town itself is pleasant to explore, with independent shops, riverside walks, and views of Eton College across the bridge.

Which Should You Choose?

If you have time for only one, Windsor Castle generally offers the stronger overall experience. It is open for more of the year, has more to see, and carries a deeper sense of history. The combination of the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and the castle grounds makes for a full and rewarding half-day visit.

Buckingham Palace makes more sense if you are visiting London during the summer opening period and want to stay central. The State Rooms are impressive, and the experience of walking through the working headquarters of the monarchy is distinctive. Outside the summer opening, the palace is only viewable from the exterior, which is still worthwhile for the architecture and the Changing of the Guard.

For visitors with enough time, seeing both residences gives the fullest picture of how the British monarchy lives and works. They complement rather than duplicate each other.