Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, Windsor Travel Guide

The Windsor & Royal Borough Museum has a distinctive origin story rooted in national celebration. In 1951, local historian Maitland Underhill created an exhibition about Windsor's history as part of the National Festival of Britain. The exhibition proved so popular that it remained on display in the Guildhall for over three decades. After a period of closure, the museum was formally reopened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2011, marking a renewal of the institution's commitment to preserving and sharing the borough's rich heritage. Today, it stands as an accredited museum supported by dedicated volunteers and the Friends of Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, continuing a legacy of royal patronage and community engagement that has spanned nearly 75 years.

The museum's collection encompasses more than 13,000 objects, with over a hundred carefully selected pieces on permanent display in the ground-floor gallery. The range is remarkable: Stone Age flints and Roman tiles sit alongside poignant First World War letters, a 100,000-year-old mammoth tusk, and a model of the Hawker Hurricane aircraft designed by Windsor-born aeronautical engineer Sir Sydney Camm. Among the more whimsical items is an original programme from the 1943 Windsor Castle Aladdin Pantomime, which featured Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret in performance. Each artifact tells a story of the borough's evolution, from prehistoric settlement through Roman occupation to the medieval period and beyond. Thousands more objects are preserved in the museum's archive store, meticulously catalogued and gradually added to the online collection through an ongoing digitisation project that began in 2014.

The museum occupies the ground floor of Windsor Guildhall, a magnificent Grade I listed building that serves as far more than a backdrop. The Guildhall itself is a character-filled venue with ornate upper rooms that have hosted significant royal occasions, including the marriage of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and the civil partnership of Elton John and David Furnish. Guided tours of these splendid rooms, lasting 30 to 40 minutes, are available for a modest charge of £5, with proceeds supporting the museum's upkeep. Visitors ascend to view an impressive collection of royal portraits spanning from Elizabeth I to the present day, gaining insight into the civic and ceremonial history of Windsor through the eyes of knowledgeable volunteer guides who bring centuries of stories to life.

Beyond its physical collection, the museum employs an innovative audio trail that amplifies the voices of local residents. Rather than relying solely on curatorial interpretation, the museum invites visitors to hear personal narratives about life in the borough and the changing landscape over generations. This approach transforms the museum experience from passive observation into an intimate dialogue with the community's past. The museum has also embraced contemporary history through the Royal Borough Memory Box project, which invites residents to contribute photographs, videos, artwork, stories, and personal items documenting their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown—ensuring that recent history is captured and preserved for future generations.

The museum is designed to welcome families and visitors of all ages and abilities. Wheelchair accessibility is provided on the ground floor, where the main collection is displayed. For those wishing to access the upper Guildhall rooms, a stair lift is available on selected days; advance contact with the museum ensures appropriate arrangements. The museum's commitment to accessibility extends to its digital presence, with an expanding online catalogue allowing those unable to visit in person to explore the collection remotely. Nearby facilities include accessible restrooms in Bachelors Acre and Windsor Library, supporting visitors who may require additional amenities during their visit.