Good Service Awards and Role Holder Spectators joining instructions
Information for Good Service Awards and Role Holder Spectators
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This information is for the following groups attending our Day of Celebration and Achievement.
- Silver Wolf recipients and their guests
- Bar to the Silver Acorn recipients and their guests
- UKHQ and non-UKHQ Role Holder Spectators and their guests
We'll be welcoming hundreds of Scouts awards holders and their guests to Windsor Castle for the Day of Celebration and Achievement.
We’re excited that you and your guests are joining us at Windsor Castle. This page will provide you with information and top tips ahead of the day itself.
To help you find the right locations first time, we have included what3words Locations prefixed by ///. You can find out more about what3words on their website.
Timings for the day
A bespoke timetable has been shared in your ticket email, which lets you know if you have booked tickets to Mattins in the morning. A generic timetable of the day is shown below:
9:45am - 10:30am: Queue for Mattins at the Henry VIII Gate ///bless.leader.hits.
10:45am - 11:30am: Mattins Service at St George's Chapel
12pm - 12:45pm: Enter the Castle Quadrangle via the Admissions Centre ///paused.healers.rank
12:45pm - 1:30pm: Wait for Parade
1:45pm - 2:45pm: Parade and review
3:00pm - 4:00pm: Make your way from the Quadrangle to the Lower ward area where you can listen to the service from outside the chapel. The castle will also open their café and gift shops during this time.
4:00pm: Exit the Castle through Henry VIII Gate
Things to plan now
Windsor is easily accessible on public transport and the Castle is within easy walking distance of Windsor & Eton Central railway station. ///chain.feels.lights. If you're driving, read more about the local parking options.
Please make sure you’re not dropped off outside the entrance to Windsor Castle, as this area becomes quickly congested.
Windsor is a popular tourist destination and there are lots of accommodation in the local area. Visit Windsor have provided this helpful website with information about local accommodation.
A number of cost-effective accommodation options are also available in Slough which is local to Windsor.
What to wear
Award holders should wear their uniform and awards. More information can be found in chapter 10 of Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) and on the badge diagrams page.
Guests should dress smart or wear uniform if appropriate.
Everyone should dress suitably for weather conditions on the day.
The Castle grounds have cobbled paths, hills and gravel, so please wear appropriate footwear and consider if you need support with wheelchairs, crutches etc on these surfaces.
Either print your barcode, or have your barcode ready on your phone or other device for scanning.
Weather is ever changing in April, and you and your guests should be prepared for the weather on the day.
You should ensure that your uniform is ready to wear. Your awards should be sewn onto your uniform and you should wear your medals (if appropriate).
Water bottle and weather appropriate clothing for the day.
In hope for a warm day, bring some suncream and a sunhat.
Please remember, no weapons of any kind are permitted in Windsor Castle, including penknives.
You should arrive to Windsor in good time. If you're attending the Mattins service, you'll need to queue and be seated by 10:30, if you’re not joining us for Mattins, entry to the Quadrangle will be at 12:00. If you're driving, read more about the local parking options.
A Scouts run information point will be available in the morning outside the Henry VIII gate ///bless.leader.hits for any questions your guests may have.
Windsor Castle runs a Mattins church service in St George's Chapel on the morning of the event, which some Adult Award Holders may wish to attend. Mattins spaces are very limited, and are offered on a first come, first served, depending on availability.
If you selected to attend Mattins during the registration process, your ticket barcode will include entry for Mattins.
Those attending Mattins are requested to be seated in St George's Chapel by 10:30am at the latest. Late arrivals will not be admitted. At the end of the service, please assist the Chapel staff by leaving the Castle grounds as directed immediately. Please note that photography is strictly prohibited within the Chapel.
Not attending Mattins? Before the Review, you will have time to explore the historic town of Windsor. Visit Windsor has lots of helpful information of the local area and things to do and see.
To enter the castle for the parade and review, you and your guests will enter through the Admissions Centre ///paused.healers.rank, where your barcodes will be checked for entry.
You should aim to enter the castle around 12:00-12:45pm. Please stick to this timing as there will be multiple queues. Our friendly Day of Celebration and Achievement team will be around to help with queueing for entry.
If you are concerned about toilet access, you may wish to enter the castle toward the end of this time slot to spend less time in the Quadrangle with limited toilet accessibility.
Please note that space is limited in the Quadrangle. Many people will have been provided chairs due to accessibility needs and will need to go in front of standing spectators to have a view.
Please be considerate of each other and follow your Scout Values to ensure that everyone has the chance to spectate.
If you requested any chairs during the registration process, they will be available for collection at the entrance to the quadrangle using your ticket barcode
If you’re not sure whether you or your guests have a seat and you’d like to check, please contact the team at [email protected].
You will have informed us of any additional requirements when you registered. If your circumstances have changed, please email [email protected].
Toilet facilities inside the Castle are limited, so please inform us if this is a concern by emailing [email protected].