Overview: History, what to expect, and unique features of St George’s Hall
St George’s Hall is the magnificent ceremonial heart of Windsor Castle and one of the most important state rooms in the United Kingdom. King Edward III originally constructed the hall in the mid-14th century as a grand banqueting space for the newly established Order of the Garter. Over the centuries, monarchs remodelled the hall inside one of Europe’s great castles, culminating in the impressive space seen today. The hall suffered devastating damage in the 1992 Windsor Castle fire, but master craftsmen successfully rebuilt and restored it over five years, preserving its historic grandeur while incorporating contemporary Gothic design.
Visitors can expect to walk through the longest room in the castle, which regularly hosts state banquets for visiting heads of state. The immense ceiling features the heraldic shields and coats of arms of every single Knight of the Garter since the order’s founding in 1348. The room gives you a strong sense of the scale and importance of the royal ceremonies held here. At the eastern end, you see the figure of the King’s Champion, an armoured figure that traditionally rode into coronation banquets to challenge anyone who denied the sovereign’s authority. Access to St George’s Hall is included with the general admission ticket to Windsor Castle.
St George’s Hall opening times and access
St George’s Hall is an integral part of the State Apartments visitor route inside Windsor Castle. Its accessibility is subject to the castle’s operating hours and royal use.
- General hours: Windsor Castle is generally open Thursday to Monday (it closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The State Apartments, which include the hall, are open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (last admission 3:00 p.m.) during winter and 10:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.) during summer.
- Closures: As a working royal residence, St George’s Hall can close at short notice if the King hosts a State Visit or other ceremonial functions, such as an Investiture. Always check the official Royal Collection Trust website before planning your visit.
- Duration: Visitors experience the hall as part of the overall self-guided tour of the State Apartments. Allow approximately one hour to walk through the State Apartments, of which St George’s Hall is a major part.
Windsor Castle admission fees and tickets (including St George’s Hall)
There is no separate ticket for St George’s Hall; access is included in the general admission price for Windsor Castle.
| Ticket type (Windsor Castle) | Online price (checked December 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | £32.00 | Price includes the State Apartments (St George’s Hall) and St George’s Chapel. |
| Child (5–17 years) | £16.00 | Children under 5 enter free. |
Admission note: Tickets grant access to the entire castle, including Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Semi-State Rooms (when open).
Accessibility, facilities, and amenities
The Royal Collection Trust in Windsor works to ensure the State Apartments, including St George’s Hall, are accessible where possible.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access is available to St George’s Hall via lifts, which staff can guide you to. The hall itself has a flat floor.
- Facilities: Accessible toilets and cloakrooms are available within the castle grounds. The audio guide is free and included with admission, providing detailed commentary on the hall’s history and contents.
- Security: As a working palace, airport-style security checks are mandatory upon entry to the castle.
- Photography: Photography is strictly prohibited inside St George’s Hall and all the State Apartments to protect the works of art and maintain the privacy of the working palace.
Nearby attractions inside Windsor Castle
St George’s Hall is a key stop on the State Apartments route, leading to or from other vital parts of the castle:
- St George’s Chapel: Located in the Lower Ward, this is one of the finest examples of English Gothic architecture and the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, serving as the burial place of 11 monarchs, including King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.
- The Grand Reception Room: An adjacent state room, famous for its opulent gold decoration, which was also fully restored after the 1992 fire.
- The Quadrangle: The massive inner courtyard where the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place and where state visitors are officially welcomed.
- Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House: A miniature royal residence of unparalleled detail, located near the State Apartments entrance.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about St George’s Hall
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is St George’s Hall the original structure? | No, the current hall is a rebuilt and restored version following the devastating 1992 fire, though its design honors the Gothic style of its medieval predecessor. |
| What is unique about the ceiling? | The ceiling features the coats of arms of every Knight of the Garter since the order’s founding in 1348, arranged in chronological order. |
| What is the hall used for today? | It primarily serves as the venue for state banquets (seating up to 160 guests) and as a processional route for the annual Garter Day service. |
| Can I take photos inside the hall? | No, photography is strictly forbidden inside St George’s Hall and all State Apartments. |
| Is St George’s Hall the same as St George’s Chapel? | No, they are separate structures. St George’s Chapel is the large Gothic church in the Lower Ward, while St George’s Hall is the banqueting and ceremonial hall in the Upper Ward State Apartments. |
More South-East England travel
Other South-East England travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Discovering the secrets of the wartime codebreakers at Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes.
- A practical guide to visiting Dover Castle.
- A practical guide to visiting Leeds Castle.
- The quietest times to visit Blenheim Palace.
- What to see at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion – and what it’ll cost you.
