Windsor Castle Great Kitchen Tour: Explore the Oldest Working Kitchen in the Country

The Windsor Castle Great Kitchen Tour offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the oldest working kitchen in the country, which has been in use for over 750 years. This tour provides an opportunity to step back in time and discover the rich history and inner workings of the royal kitchen that has served countless monarchs throughout the centuries.

History of the Great Kitchen

Windsor Castle Great Kitchen Tour
Image Credit: Wikimedia

The Great Kitchen at Windsor Castle was built during the reign of Edward III in the 1360s and has been in continuous use since then. It has served as the primary kitchen for royal banquets and state occasions, including elaborate dinners for kings and queens. The kitchen’s original fireplaces from the 1360s are still in use today, showcasing the enduring legacy of this remarkable culinary hub.

Tour Details

Windsor Castle Great Kitchen Tour

Tour Dates and Times

  • The Great Kitchen Tour is available on selected dates, usually from early June to the end of September and for a short period in winter.
  • Tours run at regular intervals between 10:30 and 15:30 each day.

Booking

  • Booking in advance is recommended for the best value.
  • You can book online or by telephoning +44 (0)303 123 7304.

Ticket Prices

Combined Ticket to Windsor Castle and Great Kitchen Tour

  • Advance price:
  • Adult: £38.00
  • Young Person (18-24): £24.70
  • Child (5-17): £19.00
  • Disabled: £19.00
  • Access companion: Free
  • Under 5: Free
  • On-the-day price:
  • Adult: £41.00
  • Young Person (18-24): £26.70
  • Child (5-17): £20.50
  • Disabled: £20.50
  • Access companion: Free
  • Under 5: Free

Special Features

  • The tour includes original fireplaces from the 1360s and showcases the elaborate dinners prepared for successive monarchs.
  • You will learn about the kitchen’s use today for state occasions hosted by His Majesty The King.

Additional Information

Accessibility

  • The Great Kitchen Tour is wheelchair accessible.

Duration

  • The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Other Activities

  • After the tour, you can visit the State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, and enjoy Afternoon Tea in Windsor.

References

  1. Royal Collection Trust. (2024). Great Kitchen Tour for Families. Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/event/great-kitchen-tour-for-families-01-2024
  2. YouTube. (2012). Tour to the Great Kitchen at Windsor Castle. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAmZ0HPILAc
  3. Royal Collection Trust. (2024). Great Kitchen Tour. Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/event/great-kitchen-tour-08-2024
  4. The Foodie Travel Guide. (2015). Windsor Castle Kitchen Tour. Retrieved from https://thefoodietravelguide.com/windsor-castle-kitchen-tour/
  5. Windsor.gov.uk. (n.d.). Windsor Castle: Great Kitchen Tour. Retrieved from https://www.windsor.gov.uk/whats-on/windsor-castle-great-kitchen-tour-p2247611

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