Windsor Castle hosts siege activities from 24 October
Published on 09/27/2026 at 10:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Windsor Castle will host A Castle under Seige from 24 October to 1 November 2026 in Windsor, bringing the story of the medieval fortress under attack into the half-term programme. The family activities will be based at the Pug Yard Learning Centre and around the Castle precincts.
A Castle under Seige brings the 1216 conflict to life
The programme recalls the siege of 1216, when rebel English and French forces attempted to capture the fortress during the First Barons' War. The event page describes the two-month conflict as the most significant assault on the castle during that war, with damage particularly affecting the lower ward.
Visitors can take part in art activities designed to explore what the siege may have been like more than 800 years ago. A children's trail will add information about the castle during the wider visit, directing families towards details of the attack and the surviving signs of damage. The programme listing for A Castle under Seige places the activity within Windsor Castle itself.
Windsor Castle connects the event with its medieval fabric
The setting gives the history activity a direct physical context. The castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and is described by Visit Windsor as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It has been home to 40 monarchs and remains one of the official residences of the King.
The 1216 story also relates to parts visitors can see today. The event information identifies the lower ward as an area that suffered severe damage, while the castle grounds include battlements, towers, arrow loops and murder holes. Those features make the family trail more specific than a general history display because the route links the activities to the fortress that resisted the attack. The confirmed history of Windsor Castle also records State Apartments, the Semi-State Rooms and St George's Chapel among the principal areas of the visit.
Family activities sit alongside the castle's royal rooms
The event is part of a visit that combines the historic defences with rooms and collections associated with the royal residence. The State Apartments contain ceremonial rooms used for official visits, investitures and awards ceremonies. The Semi-State Rooms, restored after the 1992 fire, are due to reopen in autumn 2026.
St George's Chapel is within the castle grounds and contains the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in the King George VI Memorial Chapel. Its Gothic architecture and royal burials provide another layer of context, although general visitor access to the chapel is not available on Sundays.
Visiting Windsor Castle: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- A Castle under Seige runs from 24 October to 1 November 2026 at the Pug Yard Learning Centre and around the Castle precincts in Windsor.
- The art activities and children's trail are included in a castle ticket or a one-year pass, as stated on the event listing.
- Windsor Castle stands in Windsor, Berkshire. The nearest stations are Windsor and Eton Central, served via Slough, and Windsor and Eton Riverside, served from London Waterloo.
- There is no car parking on site. The event information directs drivers towards long-stay car parks in Windsor town centre.
- The castle is an occupied fortress with battlements, towers, arrow loops and murder holes, so the visit includes historic outdoor and interior spaces rather than a single exhibition room.
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Frequently asked questions about Windsor Castle
When does A Castle under Seige take place at Windsor Castle?
A Castle under Seige takes place from 24 October to 1 November 2026 at Windsor Castle in Windsor.
What is Windsor Castle?
Windsor Castle is an occupied royal fortress founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and one of the official residences of the King.
Where is Windsor Castle and how do you get there?
Windsor Castle is in Windsor, Berkshire. The nearest railway stations are Windsor and Eton Central and Windsor and Eton Riverside.
