Haunted Windsor Castle

Written by Simon Williams

Windsor Castle, home to British royals for 1,000 years, has one of the most extensively documented ghost records in Britain. Henry VIII is heard in the corridors, Elizabeth I appears in the library, and a Choir Boy cries in the Dean's Cloister.

Key Facts

• Location: Windsor, Berkshire
• Founded: c.1070 by William the Conqueror; one of the largest and oldest occupied castles in the world
• Managed by: The Royal Household (Royal Collection Trust); open to visitors subject to royal engagements
• Most famous ghosts: Henry VIII (corridors and cloisters near St George's Chapel) and Elizabeth I (Royal Library)
• Other apparitions: a Choir Boy (Dean's Cloister), a bishop wreathed in light (library), George VI (his former quarters), servants in the lower levels
• Burial site: St George's Chapel entombs numerous British monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I, and George VI

Windsor Castle carries the imprints of the past into the present, offering a tantalising glimpse into Britain's long history. These paranormal tales have gripped the public for generations, cementing Windsor Castle's reputation as not only the oldest inhabited castle in the world, but also one of the most haunted sites in the United Kingdom.

Numerous guards, residents, and visitors have claimed to experience hauntings and strange occurrences at Windsor over the years. Tales range from witnessing the ghosts of deceased monarchs like Henry VIII wandering the corridors, to sightings of amorphous shapes drifting through the chapel, to unaccounted footsteps and voices echoing through the empty halls. Accounts of sudden drops in temperature and feelings of eerie dread also abound, particularly in the castle's most ancient sections.

Ghosts of Royals

Some of the most renowned ghost sightings involve the spirits of deceased British royalty. One of the most frequently witnessed apparitions is that of King Henry VIII. The temperamental Tudor monarch undertook major expansions of Windsor Castle in the 1500s.

Spectres of Staff and Castle Residents

Not only royals are said to haunt Windsor, but past staff members and workers as well. In the Dean's Cloister, the agonised spirit of a young Choir Boy crushed during castle reconstruction in the 12th century has frequently appeared. Guards have also reported hearing his faint cries echoing in the darkness. In the lower levels, the ghosts of servants going about their duties have also been witnessed. These apparitions provide a glimpse into the daily life of past eras at the castle.

Additional Paranormal Hotspots

Beyond the famous royal ghosts, there are reports of spectral activity in many other parts of Windsor Castle. Guards have detected ambiguous shapes, whispers, and cold spots in chambers like the Waterloo Room. The Horseshoe Cloister archway emits unexplained gusts of wind. And in St George's Chapel, shadowy forms drift across the pews when no one is present. Centuries of history have imprinted remnants of the past everywhere on these ancient grounds.

Recent Ghostly Encounters and Sightings

Ghost sightings in the haunted grounds of Windsor Castle did not end in the distant past, but rather continue to this day. In the late 20th century, guards claimed to have witnessed the ghost of King George VI standing silently in the room where he passed away. The grim figure of the Queen's father was spotted gazing mournfully out the window. His sombre presence still permeates his old quarters.

Chilling Tales from Castle Guards

In the 1980s, two guards encountered one of the castle's most frightening ghosts: a floating bishop wreathed in blue light in the library. According to their accounts, the phantom floated across the room before vanishing into thin air, leaving the guards shocked. Other staff members through the years have reported hearing faint voices and footsteps when no one was present, including the clicking heels of Elizabeth I.

Recent Unexplained Phenomena

In addition to apparitions, unexplained cold spots, temperature drops, and peculiar sounds have recently been noted at the castle. Guards have felt sudden chills and heard doors slamming, disembodied footsteps, and distant voices. Some claim the hauntings increase in frequency and intensity around the anniversary of tragic historical events, such as past castle fires or deaths. These ongoing accounts suggest the ghosts of Windsor linger still.

Theories and Explanations for the Paranormal

Experts attribute much of the ghostly activity at Windsor Castle to its long, often violent history. With its centuries of warfare, political intrigue, and turmoil, hundreds met their ends within the castle walls under disturbing circumstances. Trapped in anguish, their spirits may haunt the sites of their deaths or suffering. Records indicate increased paranormal accounts after major events like fires, battles, or executions on castle grounds. The sheer amount of bloodshed in Windsor's past could have spawned many ghosts.

Imprints Within the Ancient Walls

Windsor Castle's advanced age may also contribute to its hauntings. Dating back 900 years, some theorise that the stones, walls, and layout absorb memories and events, leaving imprints of the past. Ghostly incidents tend to cluster in the oldest parts of the castle, lending credence to the notion the building itself is haunted.

Over centuries, the energy of those who lived and died in Windsor may have seeped into its nooks and corners.

Proximity to the Deceased

Windsor Castle's adjacent chapel and burial grounds are also cited as a potential source of ghosts. St George's Chapel entombs numerous British royals and nobles, housing their bodily remains. Being so near to their tombs and final resting places may allow spirits to traverse easier between our world and the next. This proximity likely enables roaming ghosts like Henry VIII.

Windsor's Lasting Mystique

The plethora of ghostly tales from Windsor Castle has captivated audiences for centuries. Sightings of spectres and unexplained activities continue to this day, experienced by tourists and staff members alike. Though some accounts may have rational clarifications, the sheer volume of paranormal reports cannot be easily dismissed. The lingering energy and memories within Windsor's walls endure, contributing to its aura of allure and mystery.

This article is part of the Most Haunted Castles in England series. Read all articles at historiesandcastles.com/blogs/most-haunted-england.

Deepen Your Understanding

→ Is Windsor Castle Haunted?: a companion look at the castle's royal ghosts and paranormal history

→ Is the Tower of London Haunted?: Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and centuries of royal ghosts

→ Most Haunted Castles in England: a ranked guide to England's most atmospheric paranormal sites

→ Best 5 Haunted Castles to Visit This Halloween: Chillingham, Berry Pomeroy, Warwick, and more

→ The Allure of Haunted Castles: why England's medieval fortresses attract so many ghost stories

People Also Ask

What ghosts are said to haunt Windsor Castle?

The most frequently reported apparitions at Windsor Castle are King Henry VIII, whose heavy footsteps are heard near St George's Chapel and the cloisters where he is buried; Queen Elizabeth I, seen pacing the Royal Library in a black gown; and a Choir Boy, heard crying in the Dean's Cloister and said to have died during reconstruction work in the 12th century. Castle guards have also reported a floating bishop in the library, the figure of George VI in his former quarters, and servants going about their duties in the lower levels. Together these account for one of the most extensive ghost catalogues of any castle in Britain.

Has the royal family experienced hauntings at Windsor Castle?

Yes. The most frequently cited royal account is that of King George VI, who reportedly saw the apparition of Elizabeth I in the Royal Library: a woman in a black gown pacing back and forth. George VI's father, George V, and other members of the royal household have also been associated with paranormal accounts at Windsor, though specific details are less clearly documented. Queen Victoria held séances and believed in communication with the dead, though her accounts are not specifically tied to Windsor.

Is Windsor Castle open to visitors?

Yes. Windsor Castle is managed by the Royal Collection Trust on behalf of the Crown and is open to visitors on most days of the year, subject to royal engagements and State visits. Standard admission covers the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and the grounds. The castle does not operate dedicated ghost tours, as it remains an active royal residence. However, the locations associated with most ghost sightings are accessible during a standard visit. Full details and booking are available at rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle.

Who is buried in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle?

St George's Chapel contains the remains of numerous British monarchs. Among those buried there are Henry VIII (with his wife Jane Seymour), Charles I, George III, George IV, William IV, George V, George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II, who was interred there in September 2022. The chapel also contains the tombs of Edward IV, who commissioned its current form in the 1470s, and several earlier royals. Its position at the heart of Windsor Castle, and the concentration of royal burials within it, is frequently cited in connection with the ghost sightings reported throughout the grounds.

Why is Windsor Castle considered so haunted?

Windsor Castle's ghost reputation stems from the combination of its exceptional age (nearly a thousand years of continuous royal occupation), the intensity of the events that took place within it (royal deaths, executions, Civil War action, and centuries of political violence), and its role as the burial place of so many monarchs. The proximity of St George's Chapel, with its royal tombs, and the castle's long history as both a residence and a seat of power create conditions that ghost traditions across cultures associate with paranormal activity. The volume and consistency of reports from independent witnesses, including royal family members and military guards, also distinguish Windsor from sites where ghost stories rest on a single account or legend.

Can you do a ghost tour at Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle does not typically run dedicated ghost tours as part of its standard visitor programme, since it remains an active royal residence. However, specialist ghost hunt companies occasionally organise after-hours events at the castle on selected dates, usually in autumn. Standard daytime visits do cover the areas most associated with ghost sightings, including the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and the grounds. The Yeoman Guards and staff are generally the source of the most detailed first-hand accounts of unexplained activity, though they are not typically invited to share these during standard visitor tours.

Primary Sources and Further Reading

• Royal Collection Trust: Windsor Castle (official site, rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle)
• Brooks, J.A.: Ghosts of the South East (Jarrold Publishing, 1988)
• Hippisley Coxe, A.D.: Haunted Britain (Pan Books, 1973)
• Historic England: Windsor Castle listing (historicengland.org.uk)

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