Introducing you to the Learning Centre and the Castle Precincts Royal Collection Learning Welcome To Windsor Castle

When you arrive on the morning of your visit The coach will drop you on the cobble stoned area at the door. This is the reception, where we will be waiting to greet you.

You will be met by one of our Warden team Aileen CathyPat

more of the Warden team We have one Warden on duty at the Learning Centre each day, so it could be any one from our team of six. If you would like to know who will be here on the day of your visit please call us the week before and we will tell you. Rita Geoff Alex

You will be allocated a room for the day where you can leave bags and coats safely This room is called the Stalls: and this room is the Tack:

This larger room is the Main Hall, the floor in here is very uneven, because it used to be a cobbled courtyard. Please be very careful. On the day of your visit there may be more than one school that will share this room for lunch.

Then you will meet the person who will give you your talk. It will be one of us: Penny Catherine JoLesley

There are toilet facilities at the Learning Centre: Toilets can be found through the main hall, via the steps at the far end. However, if one of the children has difficulty with steps, or is a wheelchair user then toilets can be accessed via the outside ramp. Our team will be happy to show you the way.

When you have been allocated your room for the day, and you may have had a snack and used the toilets, you then make your way to the Castle’s Admission Centre, going out of the entrance where you came in, and heading up the road. The Warden at the gate will direct you into the group hall, and from there,

You pass through the security area, where you will be asked to put your bags through a machine, and walk through an archway, just like you do at the airport. Don’t forget to pick up your bags again!

When you leave the security area you enter the Courtyard. Toilet facilities are available down the steps, on the left. An accessible toilet is also available, opposite the security area. In the Courtyard you will find the first of four shops located within the Castle: the other three can be found in Engine Court, Middle Ward and Lower Ward. Accessible toilet on right

When you are ready, make your way through the archway to the right of the shop, and up towards the Castle. This is a very steep hill, so take your time.

As you walk up the hill, take time to look at the view of the Castle and the gardens. Look at the walls and medieval features of the Castle. Then at the Round Tower, and look at the flag flying there, this will tell you if The Queen is here or not on the day of your visit, if it is the Union flag then sadly The Queen is not at Windsor.

As you go up the hill you pass the bandstand on your right, and then go through St George’s Gate. Can you spot the dragon? Look above the gateway with the wrought iron gates.

If you are having a talk, it may take place in the Moat Room. You’ll see it on the right, as you follow the path around a corner. A member of our team be there waiting to greet you.

Before or after your talk you may want to visit the State Apartments and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. These are found on the North Terrace. Toilets can be found close by the entrance to the State Apartments. Go through this archway onto the North Terrace This is the way into the State Apartments.

Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House: If you have any pupils using a wheelchair in your group, they will have been directed to enter the State Apartments through this entrance in Engine court. However you will all meet up at the entrance to the Dolls’ House, inside the Castle. It is very dark in the room where the Dolls’ House is situated, but the children’s eyes will soon adjust to the light levels. Take your time and enjoy looking at the various rooms.

When you leave the State Apartments, only accessible toilet facilities are available in Engine Court. Other toilets are on the North Terrace, so ask the warden here to direct you, if you need them. The accessible toilet is just to the right of the shop. Ask the warden on duty to unlock the door. Before you leave Engine Court, look over at the grass quadrangle. The Castle buildings opposite you are The Queen’s private apartments.

Now you can visit St George’s Chapel, if you have not done so already, make your way through this archway and down the Hill to the Chapel entrance.

Back to the Learning Centre As you leave the Chapel, don’t forget to look at the Guard Room and the soldier who is on guard outside. The only way out from the Castle is through Henry VIII Gate. The Changing of the Guard takes place outside the Guard Room on certain days, at 11 am. Please ask at the Learning Centre if it will be taking place on the day of your visit.

Back to school Your coach will pick you up at the Learning Centre, where it dropped you earlier, and take you all back to school This is Henry VIII gateway, so go through here, be careful as cars do use this way in and out of the Castle all day Go across to St Albans street, and return to the Learning Centre

We hope that you enjoy your visit to the Castle, and will visit us again soon. Updated Jan 2012