3 Photo Spots at the Windsor Castle

About the location

Beyond the main fortifications, the site features the intricate St George's Chapel, a pinnacle of Perpendicular Gothic design that offers complex textures and geometric patterns. Photographers will find the Changing of the Guard ceremony particularly rewarding, as it provides a chance to capture the pageantry of the British monarchy against an authentic medieval backdrop. The surrounding Windsor Great Park offers a vast natural landscape, allowing for long-range shots that place the castle within a lush, green environment.

Best timing

For the most dramatic lighting, arrive at the Long Walk for sunrise to capture the castle's silhouette against a colorful morning sky. The late afternoon golden hour is also ideal for photography within the castle grounds, as the low sun brings out the warm tones of the ancient stonework.

To photograph the Changing of the Guard, you should aim to be in position by 10:45 AM, though you must check the official schedule as it does not happen every day. Visiting mid-week is highly recommended to avoid the heaviest tourist crowds and ensure cleaner compositions.

Traveling

Windsor Castle is located in the town of Windsor, Berkshire, and is easily accessible via a direct train from London Waterloo or a connection from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Riverside or Windsor & Eton Central. While there is no dedicated parking at the castle, several public car parks are available in Windsor town center just a short walk away. The castle and the surrounding town are best explored on foot, but photographers should be prepared for significant walking, especially if they intend to reach the best vantage points at the far end of the Long Walk.

Photography tips for Windsor Castle

A wide-angle lens is essential for capturing the massive scale of the castle walls and the interior courtyards, while a telephoto lens is necessary to compress the perspective when shooting from the Long Walk. For the classic 'post card' view, walk to the Copper Horse statue at Snow Hill; this provides an elevated vantage point looking back down the three-mile avenue toward the castle. Be aware that tripods are generally not permitted within the castle precincts, so high ISO capabilities and image stabilization are valuable for handheld shots in shaded areas. Additionally, focus on the details of the guards' uniforms and the ornate ironwork of the gates for compelling macro and detail studies.

Other languages

Here is how Windsor Castle is called in other languages:
CS Hrad Windsor DE Schloss Windsor EL Κάστρο του Ουίνδσορ ES Castillo de Windsor FI Windsorin linna FR Château de Windsor HI विंडसर कैसल HR Dvorac Windsor IS Windsor-kastali IT Castello di Windsor JA ウィンザー城 NL Windsor Castle NO Windsor Castle PL Zamek Windsor PT Castelo de Windsor RU Виндзорский замок SV Windsor Castle TR Windsor Kalesi ZH 温莎城堡