Services and FAQ’s

Services
Are you open for services?
You are welcome to attend a service.  Details are as listed above and on our diary pages here.
How is seating arranged for services with regard to social distancing? For the time being Services will take place in the Nave of St George’s Chapel; seating has been arranged to comply with Government issued social distancing guidelines.
Can I sit with my friends? We will continue to abide by current Government guidelines. We are able to accommodate groups and families from the same household/bubble.
Will my seat be disinfected? Prior to a service measures will be taken to ensure that all seats are clean.
Will there be music at the services? Sunday Mattins and Evensong will be with music. The Evening service is normally sung except on Wednesdays.
Will we sing hymns? For the time being hymns will not be sung during services.
How will we celebrate the sharing of The Peace? In a manner that will maintain social distancing, so verbally.
Am I expected to wear a face covering? Face coverings are now mandatory in places of worship including St George’s Chapel, except for exempt individuals.
Will clergy wear a face covering? Clergy will wear face coverings except when reading, preaching etc. All clergy will wash hands prior to the service.
Am I expected to wear gloves? No, but you may do so if you wish.
What precautions are members of staff taking during the pandemic? A full COVID-Secure risk assessment has been completed with many measures introduced following this. All members of staff have been fully trained in COVID-Secure procedures and therefore please do follow their instructions.
What hand sanitisation facilities do you offer? Hand sanitising dispensers will be available at the entrance & exit for those attending services.
Are there any parts of the Chapel normally used for services which are closed? For the time being all services will be held in the Nave.
Will I be able to receive communion? Church guidelines will be followed; it is likely that Communion will be in one kind only (bread).

Will I be able to receive a Blessing? We will abide by current Church guidelines which may not include the laying-on of hands.
Will Orders of Service be cleaned before I touch them? Yes. Orders of Service are printed on laminated cards which will be sanitised before each Service. At Sunday services you may also be asked to pick up a piece of paper which relates to that service alone. Please take the paper copy away with you at the end of the Service.
Are you open for private prayer? During Windsor Castle opening hours the Chapel will be available for private prayer (Windsor Castle admission charges apply).
If there is a maximum number of people allowed, will I be turned away? Yes. Although we don’t want to turn anyone away, we must prioritise the safety of our visitors and staff, so we will only accommodate the numbers that it is safe to do so.
Are your lavatories open? St George’s Chapel does not have lavatories, however during Windsor Castle opening hours, facilities on the North Terrace and near the café are available, and a Changing Places facility is available on Engine Court .
Will I be asked to leave contact details for NHS Test & Trace? Please either scan the NHS QR code displayed at the Chapel entrance; alternatively you or one member of your family/household group attending a service will be asked to leave name and telephone number. The information will be destroyed after 21 days.

General Visiting
Are you open for visitors? When Windsor Castle is open, our visiting hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm.
Will Windsor Castle have fewer visitors than usual? Yes, Windsor Castle admissions will be managing visitors’ arrival through timed ticketing and restricting capacity within time slots.
How do I find out if there is availability to visit? Find opening times for Windsor Castle here.
How do I book online? / How do I book my tickets for today? / Can I buy tickets on the same day?
You can book an advance ticket for a visit to Windsor Castle to include St George’s Chapel here.
For tickets purchased on the day, 1-Year pass holders or Advantage Card holders, please check the Royal Collection website for current terms.
Will I have to queue before entering St George’s Chapel? If you do have to queue before entering, please follow social distancing guidelines and any instructions given by our staff.
What precautions are members of staff taking during the pandemic? A full COVID-Secure risk assessment has been completed with many measures introduced following this. All members of staff have been fully trained in COVID-Secure procedures and therefore please do follow their instructions.
Who can I speak to if I have any health and safety concerns during my visit? Please speak to any member of the Chapel Staff, who will be happy to help.
Will I be asked to leave contact details for NHS Test & Trace? Please scan the NHS QR code displayed at the visitor entrance to Windsor Castle.
Am I expected to wear a face covering? Face coverings are mandatory in places of worship including St George’s Chapel, except for exempt individuals.
Am I expected to wear gloves? No, but you may do so if you wish.
What hand sanitisation facilities do you offer? Hand sanitising dispensers will be available at the main entrance (South Door) and at the Chapel exit.
Are there any parts of the Chapel normally open to visitors which are closed? Not at the moment, but we reserve the right to change this at short notice should the need arise.
Where can I leave my pushchair? You will be able to take a pushchair around the Chapel with you.
Will the archives display be accessible? It will be possible to view the archives display.  For details of the current display click here.
Are your lavatories open? St George’s Chapel does not have lavatories although facilities are available on the North Terrace and near the café of Windsor Castle, and a Changing Places facility is available on Engine Court during Castle opening hours.
Can I leave a written prayer? Yes, but please use your own pen or pencil. A slip of paper will be available.
Can I light a candle? Yes, a limited number of candle stands are available.
Can I stop and take time for private prayer outside services? Yes.
Will there be adequate disabled access/facilities? There will be no change to current disabled access. Wheelchair entry will continue via the North Door, and ramps are available.
Will a member of staff be able to offer assistance where a disability prevents me from free movement for example on steps or sitting/standing, or if I have a fall? A full COVID-Secure risk assessment has been completed with many measures introduced following this. All members of staff have been fully trained in COVID-Secure procedures so please speak to any member of the Chapel Staff.
Will I be expected to adhere to a time limit for my visit to the Chapel? Only as closing time approaches but if numbers are large leading to crowding, we will encourage you to keep moving to be fair to all.
What measures are in place to ensure social distancing is adhered to? There will be signage, and guidance from Chapel staff.
What do I do if I become unwell during my visit? Please speak to any member of the Chapel Staff, but please maintain social distancing at all times.
Will I have to go through a temperature or security check before entering the building? The usual security for entrance to the Castle will continue. There will be no temperature check.
Can I visit with a St George’s Chapel Friends Pass? Please enter via the Castle Admissions Centre and be prepared to queue. Admission will only be granted if there is capacity within the Castle.

Will the Café be open? There is not a café at St George’s Chapel, however the Undercroft Café located near to Windsor Castle State Apartments, will be open offering a limited menu and reduced seating capacity to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
Will I be asked to leave if I fail to follow the Chapel guidelines? Yes. The safety of our staff and visitors is our priority.