Windsor Castle Accessibility: A Comprehensive Guide for Castles Touring Enthusiasts

Windsor Castle is a highly accessible attraction, catering to visitors with various mobility, sensory, and cognitive impairments. Whether you’re a wheelchair user, have visual or hearing impairments, or require dementia-friendly accommodations, Windsor Castle offers a range of features to ensure an enjoyable and inclusive experience.

Mobility Accessibility

Windsor Castle Accessibility
Image Credit: Wikimedia

Wheelchair Accessibility

Windsor Castle is fully accessible, with step-free access to the State Apartments via platform lifts on the North Terrace and in the Inner Hall. Manual wheelchairs and rollators are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters are permitted inside the Castle, but compatibility with lifts must be ensured.

Parking

While there is no disabled parking at Windsor Castle, the nearest disabled bays are located on the high street. Alternative parking options are available by the river, but this requires a long, steep uphill walk to the castle.

Floors and Surfaces

The floors within Windsor Castle are covered with thick pile carpet or polished wood, and some areas have uneven stone floors. Visitors should take care due to the historic nature of the building.

Sensory and Cognitive Accessibility

Windsor Castle Accessibility

Audio Described

A descriptive audio tour is available free of charge from the audio desk in the Moat Road building, providing an enhanced experience for visitors with visual impairments.

Sign Language

Some staff have basic British Sign Language (BSL) skills, and a number of Wardens are Dementia Friends, ensuring a more inclusive environment.

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals are welcome at Windsor Castle, and staff reserve the right to ask visitors to remove their animal if it is deemed not to be behaving appropriately.

Visual Aids

Orders of Service are available in large print and Braille for use during Services in St George’s Chapel, catering to visitors with visual impairments.

Dementia-Friendly

The Castle offers monthly dementia-friendly mornings in their Learning Centre, and some staff are Dementia Friends, providing a more supportive experience for visitors with cognitive impairments.

Other Accommodations

Toilets

Accessible toilets are located on the North Terrace and off the Inner Hall, requiring a RADAR key. A Changing Places toilet is also available in Engine Court.

Shops

All four shops at Windsor Castle are on one level and accessible, with stone or carpet flooring.

Staff Assistance

The staff at Windsor Castle are helpful and attentive, providing assistance wherever needed to ensure a comfortable and inclusive visit.

Planning Your Visit

Access Statement

Detailed access information is available on the Royal Collection Trust website, including a photo journey to help plan your visit and understand the accessibility features.

Accessibility Guide

An Accessibility Guide is available on the Royal Collection Trust website, providing comprehensive details on mobility, sensory, and cognitive accessibility at Windsor Castle.

Contact Information

Reference Links

  1. https://www.euansguide.com/venues/windsor-castle-windsor-1094/information
  2. https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle/blind-or-partially-sighted-visitors-at-windsor-castle
  3. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/visitor-information/travelling-with-a-disability
  4. https://www.euansguide.com/venues/windsor-castle-windsor-1094/reviews/surprisingly-accessible-2609
  5. https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle/mobility-access-at-windsor-castle

Leave a Comment