Get to Windsor Castle from Birmingham?

The quickest route to Windsor Castle from Birmingham is by train. Take a train from Birmingham New Street, changing at Reading for Windsor & Eton Central or at London Waterloo for Windsor & Eton Riverside. Journey time is 2-3 hours, with advance tickets from £26.40. By car, the M40 route is the fastest, taking about 2 hours (106 miles). Trains are best for avoiding traffic, offering a more stress-free journey.

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Key Takeaways

Category	Details
Driving Routes and Times	– Via M40: ~2 hours 1 minute, 105.8 miles. – Via M6 and M1: ~2 hours 19 minutes, 121.6 miles. – Via M40 and A404: ~2 hours 4 minutes, 106 miles. (Ideal traffic conditions)
Driving Delay Factors	– Traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. – Roadworks (e.g., M4 smart motorway project). – Accidents and weather conditions. – Special events in Windsor (e.g., guard march). – Planned road closures, diversions, and speed restrictions. – Vehicle breakdowns.
Train Travel Options	– To Windsor & Eton Central: 2 hours 23 minutes to 3 hours 54 minutes, typically 2 changes. – To Windsor & Eton Riverside: 2 hours 18 minutes to 2 hours 56 minutes, at least 1 change.
Train Travel Tips	– Booking tickets in advance can save money. – Railcards offer additional discounts. – Both Windsor stations are within a 10-15 minute walk of Windsor Castle and provide standard amenities. – Check with train operators for accessibility assistance if required.

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Getting to Windsor Castle from Birmingham by Car

Route 1: Via M40

To reach Windsor Castle from Birmingham by car, the M40 route is estimated to take 2 hours and 1 minute under ideal traffic conditions, covering a distance of 105.8 miles.

Directions

1. Birmingham
   • Head northwest on Potter Street towards Corporation Street (restricted usage road) – 289 ft
   • Potter Street turns left and becomes Corporation Street – 223 ft
   • At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit – 0.1 mi
   • Take the ramp onto St. Chads Queensway/A38/A4400, and continue following A38 – 0.9 mi
   • Keep right to continue on Suffolk Street Queensway/A38, then follow A38 – 0.7 mi
   • Turn left onto Belgrave Middleway – 0.1 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Pershore Road/A441 – 0.2 mi
   • Turn left onto Balsall Heath Road – 0.3 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Clevedon Road – 0.2 mi
   • Slight left onto Lincoln Street – 0.2 mi
   • Continue onto Hallam Street – 472 ft
   • Continue straight onto Willows Road – 0.2 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Edgbaston Road/B4217 and follow B4217 – 0.4 mi
   • Turn right onto Amesbury Road – 0.3 mi
   • Turn left onto Reddings Road – 0.2 mi
   • Turn right onto Alcester Road/A435 and follow A435 – 2.9 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Hollywood Bypass/A435 – 2.4 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Alcester Road/A435 – 1.3 mi
   • At Portway Island, take the 2nd exit onto the M42 ramp to M1/Solihull/Coventry/N.E.C./Airport/London/M40/Warwick – 0.3 mi
2. M42 and M40
   • Merge onto M42 – 2.8 mi
   • Keep right to continue on M40, following signs for London/Warwick/Stratford – 74.3 mi
3. A404 and M4
   • At Junction 4, take the A404 exit to H. Wycombe/Marlow/M4/Maidenhead – 0.3 mi
   • Take the ramp to A404 – 230 ft
   • At Handy Cross Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto A404 – 4.4 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on A404 – 3.0 mi
   • Keep right to continue on A404(M), following signs for Reading/Slough/Windsor/M4 – 2.5 mi
   • Slight left onto Holyport Interchange – 322 ft
   • Take the M4 exit towards London – 0.2 mi
   • Slight right to merge onto M4 – 4.4 mi
4. Approaching Windsor
   • Take the exit towards A355 – 0.3 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto A355 – 0.5 mi
   • Continue onto Royal Windsor Way/A332 – 1.2 mi
   • Slight left onto Clarence Road (go through 1 roundabout) – 0.5 mi
   • Continue onto Victoria Street – 0.3 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sheet Street/B3022 (note: parts of this road may be closed at certain times) – 0.2 mi
   • Turn right onto Castle Hill – 266 ft

Destination: Windsor Castle, Windsor SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom.

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Route 2: Via M40 and A404

This route takes approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes, covering a distance of 106 miles. It offers a convenient and efficient drive with scenic countryside views, access to service stations for rest stops, and connections to major junctions.

1. Start: Get on M42 in Earlswood from A38 and A435

• Distance: 10.9 miles
• Time: ~29 minutes

1. Head northwest on Potter Street towards Corporation Street (restricted usage road) (289 ft).
2. Potter Street turns left and becomes Corporation Street (223 ft).
3. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit (0.1 mi).
4. Use any lane to take the ramp onto St. Chads Queensway/A38/A4400 and continue to follow A38 (0.9 mi).
5. Keep right to continue on Suffolk Street Queensway/A38 (0.7 mi).
6. Turn left onto Belgrave Middleway (0.1 mi).
7. Take the 3rd exit onto Pershore Road/A441 (0.2 mi) at the roundabout.
8. Turn left onto Balsall Heath Road (0.3 mi).
9. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Clevedon Road (0.2 mi).
10. Slight left onto Lincoln Street (0.2 mi) and continue onto Hallam Street (472 ft).
11. Continue straight onto Willows Road (0.2 mi).
12. Take the 1st exit onto Edgbaston Road/B4217 (0.4 mi) at the roundabout.
13. Turn right onto Amesbury Road (0.3 mi).
14. Turn left onto Reddings Road (0.2 mi).
15. Turn right onto Alcester Road/A435 and follow it (2.9 mi).
16. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Hollywood Bypass/A435 (2.4 mi).
17. Continue on Alcester Road/A435 to Portway Island (1.3 mi).
18. Take the 2nd exit onto the M42 ramp towards M1/Solihull/Coventry/London/M40/Warwick (0.3 mi).

2. Follow M40 to A404 in High Wycombe

• Distance: 77.4 miles
• Time: ~1 hour 11 minutes

1. Merge onto M42 (2.8 mi).
2. Keep right to continue on M40, following signs for London/Warwick/Stratford (74.3 mi).
3. At junction 4, take the A404 exit to High Wycombe/Marlow/M4/Maidenhead (0.3 mi).
4. Use the right 3 lanes to take the ramp to A404 (230 ft).

3. Continue to Berkshire via A404

• Distance: 7.3 miles
• Time: ~9 minutes

1. Take the 2nd exit onto A404 (4.4 mi) at Handy Cross Roundabout.
2. Take the 3rd exit at the roundabout and stay on A404 (3.0 mi).

4. Follow A404(M) and M4 to A355 in Slough

• Distance: 7.4 miles
• Time: ~8 minutes

1. Keep right to continue on A404(M), following signs for Reading/Slough/Windsor/M4 (2.5 mi).
2. Use the middle lane to turn slightly left onto Holyport Interchange (322 ft).
3. Take the M4 exit towards London and merge onto M4 (4.4 mi).
4. Take the exit towards A355 (0.3 mi).

5. Continue to Windsor Castle

• Distance: 2.8 miles
• Time: ~8 minutes

1. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto A355 (0.5 mi).
2. Continue onto Royal Windsor Way/A332 (1.2 mi).
3. Slight left onto Clarence Road (go through one roundabout) (0.5 mi).
4. Continue onto Victoria Street (0.3 mi).
5. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sheet Street/B3022 (0.2 mi) (parts of this road may be closed at certain times).
6. Turn right onto Castle Hill (266 ft).

Destination: Windsor Castle

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Route 3: Via M6 and M1

To drive to Windsor Castle from Birmingham via the M6 and M1, expect a journey of approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes under ideal traffic conditions, covering a distance of roughly 121.6 miles.

Directions

1. Birmingham
   • Head northwest on Potter Street towards Corporation Street (restricted usage road) – 289 ft
   • Potter Street turns left and becomes Corporation Street – 223 ft
   • At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Aston Expressway – 0.3 mi
   • Merge onto Aston Expressway/A38 via the ramp to A38(M)/M6/M42/M40/Coventry/Wolverhampton/Lichfield/Birmingham Airport – 0.1 mi
   • Keep right to continue on A38(M), following signs for Sutton Coldfield/Coventry/Wolverhampton/M6/M5/M40/M42 – 1.6 mi
2. M6 and M1
   • At Junction 6, exit onto M6 towards London/M1/M42/M40 – 9.9 mi
   • Keep right to stay on M6 – 21.6 mi
   • Take the exit towards M1 – 1.0 mi
   • Take the ramp onto M1 – 23.7 mi
   • Keep right to stay on M1 – 37.5 mi
3. M25 and M4
   • At Junction 6A, take the M25 exit to M40/M4/Heathrow Airport – 0.8 mi
   • Take the ramp onto M25 – 18.8 mi
   • At Junction 15, exit onto M4 towards Slough – 2.2 mi
4. Approaching Windsor
   • Take the A4 exit towards Colnbrook/B470/Datchet/Langley – 0.3 mi
   • At Langley Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Major’s Farm Road/B470 – 1.7 mi
   • At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto London Road/B376/B470 – 210 ft
   • At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto High Street/B470 – 0.2 mi
   • Turn right onto Windsor Road/B470 – 1.4 mi
   • Turn left onto Thames Street/B3022 (note: parts of this road may be closed at certain times) – 0.2 mi
   • Turn left onto Castle Hill – 266 ft

Destination: Windsor Castle

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Time Delaying Factors

When driving from Birmingham to Windsor Castle, several factors can delay your journey:

1. Traffic Congestion: Peak travel times, such as weekday mornings and evenings, often experience increased traffic, especially near urban centres and motorway junctions.
2. Roadworks: Ongoing maintenance or construction can lead to lane closures and reduced speed limits. For instance, the M4 has been undergoing a smart motorway project between junctions 3 and 12, necessitating closures and diversions.
3. Accidents and Incidents: Unplanned events like accidents can cause sudden delays. It’s advisable to check live traffic updates before and during your journey.
4. Weather Conditions: Adverse weather, such as heavy rain, fog, or snow, can impact visibility and road safety, leading to slower traffic and potential delays.
5. Special Events: Events in Windsor, such as the guard march, can cause temporary road closures. Traffic is usually stopped between 10:45 am and 11:00 am and between 11:15 am and 11:30 am when the guards march to and from Windsor Castle.
6. Planned Road Closures: Sections of motorways may be closed for maintenance or construction projects. For example, parts of the M42 were scheduled for closure over weekends in December 2024 due to HS2 rail line construction work.
7. Diversions: Due to roadworks or accidents, traffic may be redirected, potentially increasing travel time.
8. Speed Restrictions: Temporary speed limits, often implemented near roadworks or accident sites, can slow down traffic flow.
9. Highway Patrol Interventions: Incidents requiring police or emergency services can lead to temporary road closures or reduced speed limits.
10. Vehicle Breakdowns: Broken-down vehicles, especially in high-traffic areas, can cause significant delays.

To minimise delays, consider checking live traffic reports and planning your journey outside of peak times. Websites like National Highways provide up-to-date information on road conditions and closures.

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Getting to Windsor Castle from Birmingham by Train

Travelling by train from Birmingham to Windsor Castle involves routes to either Windsor & Eton Central or Windsor & Eton Riverside stations, both within walking distance of the castle.

Route Options:

1. Birmingham to Windsor & Eton Central:
   • Typical Journey Time: Approximately 2 hours 23 minutes to 3 hours 54 minutes, depending on connections.
   • Changes Required: Typically 2 changes.
   • Operators: CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, and others.
   • Example Route:
     • Depart from Birmingham New Street.
     • Change at Reading.
     • Arrive at Windsor & Eton Central.
   • Frequency: Approximately 55 trains per day.
   • First and Last Trains: First train around 05:30; last train around 23:45.
   • Ticket Prices: Starting from £35.50 when booked in advance.
2. Birmingham to Windsor & Eton Riverside:
   • Typical Journey Time: Approximately 2 hours 18 minutes to 2 hours 56 minutes.
   • Changes Required: At least 1 change.
   • Operators: CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, and others.
   • Example Route:
     • Depart from Birmingham New Street.
     • Change at London Waterloo.
     • Arrive at Windsor & Eton Riverside.
   • Frequency: Multiple trains per day.
   • First and Last Trains: First train around 06:04; last train around 23:10.
   • Ticket Prices: Starting from £26.40 when booked in advance.

Additional Information:

• Advance Booking: Purchasing tickets in advance can result in significant savings.
• Railcards: Consider using a Railcard for additional discounts.
• Station Facilities: Both Windsor stations offer amenities such as toilets, baby changing facilities, and ticket offices.
• Accessibility: Check with train operators regarding assistance if needed.

Both Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside stations are within a 10-15 minute walking distance of Windsor Castle, making either route a convenient choice for visitors.

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Conclusion

reaching Windsor Castle from Birmingham offers convenient travel options by train or car. Trains, with 2–3 hours journey times, provide a stress-free and cost-effective alternative to driving, avoiding traffic and offering flexibility. Driving via the M40 or M6/M1 takes approximately 2–2.5 hours but may encounter delays due to traffic or roadworks. Plan ahead for a smooth journey.

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