Wartime weekend at Windsor Castle to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day

History will come to life at Windsor Castle during the family weekend 'Windsor at War' in time for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

The living history display will allow visitors to experience what life was like at Windsor Castle during the Second World War on Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17.

As Friday, August 15, marks Victory over Japan Day – the end of the war – the Castle's precincts and grounds will open for the public to celebrate the momentous milestone. 

Windsor at War is part of a summer series of themed family history weekends where between 11am and 4.30pm daily, costumed educators will offer a glimpse into 20th-century castle life.

Drop-in activities throughout the weekend, included in the price of an admission ticket to Windsor Castle, are as follows:

• A living history camp for families to explore and displays of WWII-era objects and replica weapons.
• Performances of wartime music.
• 1940s vehicles, including a Morris C8 truck, the same type that Queen Elizabeth II would have repaired when she served as a mechanic in the war, and a WWII-era ambulance, like the one pictured with then-Princess Elizabeth during the war.
• Home-Guard drills for visitors to take part in and demonstrations with an Anti-Aircraft Gun and historical reenactors.
• Arts and crafts activities in the Quadrangle.

All activities are included with standard admission to the Castle, and a range of concessions are available.

These include half-price entry for children aged 5–17, free entry for under-5s and a Young Person discount for 18–24-year-olds.

Families attending Windsor at War can convert their admission ticket into a 1-Year Pass, offering unlimited re-entry to Windsor Castle for 12 months for upcoming historical family weekends.

For more information, visit www.rct.uk/event/history-weekends-windsor-at-war-08-2025