Which English castles and palaces have we already visited on a detailed tour? Yes, here's the list...
Now let's take a walk around one of the most famous castles.
The great castle of Windsor stands on a hill overlooking the River Thames and the modern Royal Borough of Windsor. The fortress was built here during the Norman Conquest, but some believe that it appeared much earlier. However, the huge stone palace as we see it today is mainly the work of Sir Geoffrey Wyattville: during the reign of George IV, the architect rebuilt most of the Gothic structures that had existed here for a long time.
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In doing so, Wyattville destroyed much of what had been created during the Middle Ages and Tudor era; however, when he started work, the castle was already pretty dilapidated, as it had been abandoned for years, and a lot of changes needed to be made to make it suitable for habitation. One thing is certain: Wyattville managed to build an impressive and majestic palace, preserving the features of its original appearance - a powerful and impregnable stronghold.
The castle did not get its name from current city Windsor, and from the village of Old Windsor, located two miles from the citadel. Moreover, these lands were not actually the property of the monarchs until 1572. The Royal Cadastral Inventory states that the King is the owner of Windsor Castle, but the site on which the building stands is part of an estate comprising the hamlet of Cluer and belonging to one Ralph, son of Siefrid. Ralph had to pay tax on his estate, which had an area of approximately four and a half hundred acres, with Windsor Castle being allocated about fifty acres. Today, the castle's area, including the area within its walls, is eight acres.
William the Conqueror, according to the custom of his time, ordered the construction of a motte - a hill topped with a tower - in the center of the fortress, surrounding it with an outer courtyard, which was surrounded by a palisade and a ditch filled with water. Nothing remained of the ancient Norman fortress, but later, in the place where the Round Tower now stands, on a scarp surrounded by a moat stood a watchtower. For that distant era, it was undoubtedly a gigantic citadel that dominated the Thames Valley and made it possible to repel an attack from the enemy, from whatever side he approached. There is no record of William of Normandy ever living at Windsor, but his wayward son, William II Rufus, settled here with his court. He was an avid hunter, and the densely forested lands along the banks of the river certainly appealed to him. By the way, he was killed just at the moment when he was hunting in the New Forest in 1100. Henry I, Rufus's younger brother and successor, was a different kind of person. He was distinguished by great learning and was an excellent ruler. It was under him that Windsor Castle turned into a real royal residence, while remaining an impregnable fortress. Where the Upper Court is now located, Henry built living quarters called the Royal Houses. Thus began the history of Windsor Castle as we know it today.
Henry II (1154-1189) strengthened the walls in the north and south, making them more massive and stronger. It was at Windsor that King John the Landless, Richard's younger brother Lion Heart, hid from the barons until he was forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. John did not consider it necessary to keep his word and broke his promises, and then the barons invited the French crown prince, the future Louis VIII, to the kingdom. When the prince landed in England to lay claim to the British throne, John fled to the north, where the aristocracy was opposed to the French claimant. Despite the fact that all of Southern England submitted to the stranger, the defenders of the castles of Dover and Windsor remained loyal legitimate dynasty. And it was in Windsor that the young King Henry III settled with the regent, William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke.
The new king turned out to be a great builder. Under him, a grandiose structure was founded, now known as Westminster Abbey. Already in his youth, he began to rebuild Windsor Castle. He completed the construction western wall and added the massive Curfew Tower to the castle: it still immediately catches your eye if you look at the citadel from the city and Thames Street. During the time of Henry III, townspeople's houses huddled close to the castle's fortifications; They decided to demolish them not so long ago. In the Lower Court, Henry built a chapel dedicated to St. Edward the Confessor, for whom the crowned builder had the greatest respect. Its surviving fragments can now be found in the stonework of the famous Chapel of St. George.
Chroniclers from the time of Henry III called Windsor the most majestic castle in Europe. It was inherited by King Edward III when he ascended the throne in 1327. The father of the new monarch, the fickle, pampered Edward II, was forced to abdicate the throne and was soon put to death in the fetid dungeon of Berkeley Castle. England was torn apart by civil strife for more than ten years. The country was devastated by pestilence and plague. Violence took the place of law. Poverty reigned everywhere. The young king (he was twenty-five years old) began to restore order in the house. He managed to unite the country, after which he began to think about what other kingdoms he could conquer. In 1337 he declared himself French king and nine years later confirmed the seriousness of his intentions: he routed the French at the Battle of Crecy; and in the same year 1346, King David II of Scotland was wounded and captured at Neville's Cross. Never shone so bright before military valor England. Chivalry was again in honor. And the king expressed the spirit of his era by establishing the Order of the Garter, whose history from the very beginning was connected with Windsor Castle.
Everyone has heard the charming anecdote about how the king picked up the Countess of Salisbury's garter and returned it to its owner, remarking: “Honi soit qui mal y pense” - “Shame on him who thinks badly of it”: this saying became the motto of the order. This legend is most likely just a fiction, but it is known for sure that the Order of the Garter was established at this time, most likely in 1348.
The first meeting of the order was attended by twenty-six founders, who swore to uphold the ideals of chivalry, showing fearlessness and observing chastity. Among these founders was the young Edward the Black Prince, who fought so valiantly and skillfully at the Battle of Crécy. The symbol of the order was an embroidered garter, which the knights wore on their left leg. Ladies were also accepted into the order from the very beginning. The first was Philippa d'Hainaut, the wife of Edward III, who joined the order in 1358, the second was her daughter Isabella, in 1376. The ladies wore a garter on their left hand, but, unlike the knights, they did not have their own seats, no flags in the chapel of Edward the Confessor, which became the spiritual seat of the order. Under Henry VII, the custom of awarding the Order of the Garter to ladies of royal blood disappeared, an exception was made only for reigning queens, but Edward VII revived it especially for Queen Alexandra. The current Queen of England, Elizabeth II, her the mother and queens of the Netherlands were also honored as Dames of the Order of the Garter.
After the founding of the noble order, Edward III decided to rebuild Windsor and richly decorated Henry III's chapel. Edward remodeled the state rooms, and some of them have survived to this day. And during the reign of Edward IV (1461-1483), they began to build the majestic Chapel of St. George: to this day it is the main decoration of Windsor Castle. Construction had to be suspended when the Wars of the Roses broke out, and work was only completed during the reign of Henry VIII (1509–1547) - King Edward IV founded the College of Abbots and Canons of St. George's Royal Chapel at Windsor Castle. A luxurious choir was built in the chapel, on which on each side there were carved seats of the Knights of the Order of the Garter. The chapel is a masterpiece of the so-called Perpendicular Gothic style, and by the beginning of the 20th century it was restored to its original splendor.
During the Middle Ages, the Round Tower became the place of imprisonment for many foreign kings and princes. Among them were John II of France, captured at Poitiers, David II of Scotland, James I of Scotland, and Griffith, son of Owen Glendower, Prince of Wales. The Duke of Orleans, captured during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, also languished in captivity here for some time. Here, in prison, he wrote several lyric poems, which can rightfully be called the decoration of French literature.
King Henry VII I also spent a lot of time in Windsor, where with him different years three of his six wives lived. It was he who built a bay window in the chapel of St. George so that Catherine of Aragon, sitting in the choir, could watch through the window the ceremonies of the Order of the Garter. Below, in the vaulted crypt, Jane Seymour rests, and the half-timbered apartment of the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, overlooking the courtyard, has survived to this day.
Queen Elizabeth I, distinguished good health and considerable endurance, she often visited Windsor Castle and hunted deer in the local forest. But James I Stuart, apparently, did not particularly like this home. Perhaps this was due to the fact that with the outbreak of the Civil War, the residents of the town of Windsor took the side of Parliament. The castle fell to the “roundheads,” who stole the paten from the chapel of St. George and desecrated the altar and sacred monuments. Cromwell lived in the castle for some time, but saw it more as a fortress than a palace, and placed a battery on the North Terrace, the guns of which were aimed at Eton, located on the other side of the river.
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After the execution of Charles I in 1649, his friends begged the regicides to allow them to bury his headless body in Westminster Abbey, but were decisively refused. Then the king's remains were transported in a lead coffin to Windsor, where they lay overnight in the abbot's house, which still stands today. In the morning a snowstorm arose, and with great difficulty the coffin with the king’s body was carried to the cloister of the chapel of St. George. The civil governor forbade Christian burial; the body was lowered into the grave without a funeral service, while the Bishop of London stood by, sobbing. Years passed, and many began to doubt whether this burial in Windsor, with a blanket of snow on the king's coffin, actually took place, or whether someone simply made up a beautiful story to arouse sympathy for supporters of royal power? All doubts were dispelled during the Regency in 1813. Several workers were then carrying out excavation work near the crypts and came across four coffins, one of which turned out to be smaller than the others. The Prince of Wales ordered an investigation, and in the presence of his brother, the Duke of Cumberland, and the local prior and president of the Royal College of Physicians, the lead coffin was opened, and the headless body was discovered. Today, the final resting place of the White King is marked by a tombstone.
During the Restoration of 1660, the castle was gloomy and abandoned. Its walls were dilapidated, the stonework was crumbling in places, and the park was overgrown. Charles II made decisive changes. He renovated the state apartments, built southern and eastern terraces and ordered a new alley to be planted. At the end of his life, he finally settled in Windsor with his wife Catherine of Braganza, and the king’s mistresses, Nell Gwynne and the Duchess of Portsmouth, lived with them under the same roof. A statue of Charles II, costing £1,000, cast by an unknown German sculptor at the expense of a modest and very thrifty young man named Tobias Rising, now standing in the Great Court. The king's brother, trying to bring England back into the fold catholic church, even received the papal nuncio at Windsor Castle. Angry townspeople took revenge by destroying the building we now call Albert Memorial Chapel.
Queen Anne (1665-1714) spent a lot of time in Windsor. The story goes that one day in 1704, when the queen was drinking tea in the afternoon in the company of her then favorite, the Duchess of Marlborough, sitting near the bay window and admiring the view of the north terrace, a messenger was brought to her, covered in sweat and dust, barely alive after long tiring journey. The messenger announced a brilliant Allied victory at Blenheim, where the Duke of Marlborough defeated the troops Louis XIV. To this day, on the anniversary of this battle, August 13th, all Dukes of Marlborough, descendants famous commander, present the monarch with a miniature banner with French lilies as a symbolic rent for huge palace Blenheim, given by the queen to the victor after the War of the Spanish Succession.
These small banners are displayed in the guardhouse of the state royal apartments; nearby you can see tiny French tricolor flags: this is the annual tribute of the Dukes of Wellington for the Strathfieldsay estate, granted to their great ancestor after the overthrow of Napoleon for his victory at the Battle of Waterloo.
Over time, Queen Anne moved to a small pavilion on the south terrace, where, in the company of her new favorite, Mrs. Masham, successor to the Duchess of Marlborough, she could indulge her weakness for brandy and water without causing unnecessary controversy.
After Anne's death, Windsor was abandoned and fell into such disrepair over half a century that by the beginning of the reign of George III it was completely uninhabitable. The unfortunate monarch suffered from a mental disorder; long days, falling into madness, he wandered through the windowless, dull corridors of the castle. The king's wife and their eldest daughters settled in Queen Anne's Pavilion, the younger children were given quarters in Burford Lodge, where Charles II's lover Nell Gwynne originally lived; Subsequently, this building became part of the royal stables complex - Royal Mews. As we have already mentioned, the architect Sir Geoffrey Wyattville faced not an easy task, when George IV ordered him to transform the ruins of what was once the majestic Windsor Castle into a royal palace.
It was through the efforts of Wyattville that the castle acquired strong massive walls and powerful bastions, as well as the Henry VIII gate leading to the Lower Court, where there is St. George's Chapel, the abbot's house, the Horseshoe cloister with servants' houses standing in a semicircle, as well as rooms where members of the military order lived Poor Knights of Windsor, founded by King Edward III. Geoffrey Wyattville reconstructed the Round Tower, increasing its height, and filled in the moat of the old castle. He also designed the Upper Court and the southern terrace overlooking Long Walk, accessible through a gate named after King George IV.
On two sides of the Upper Court there are the personal chambers of the royals, a chapel and a long gallery. There are also the famous drawing rooms - White, Green and Scarlet, which Queen Victoria loved so much; They are used only on special occasions and during the races at Ascot - then the Queen throws a large house party on the occasion of the races, which are held very close to Windsor every year in June and last a week.
Visitors are not allowed into the Upper Courtyard, but the rest of the palace is open to the public. The Lower Yard is reached through King Henry VIII's Gate, up the hill from the railway terminus. From the gate you can see the Horseshoe Cloister, built in the 15th century, and the west door of St. George's Chapel. The dwellings of the Knights of Windsor, built in Tudor times, are to the south. Edward III, having founded the Order of the Garter, also established a military order of chivalry, giving it the name “Poor Knights of Windsor”. It was a brotherhood whose members, among other things, had to pray for the souls of English monarchs and the Knights of the Order of the Garter. Today, the Knights of Windsor, in scarlet and gold uniforms and feathered hats, are, as in former times, present in St. George's Chapel during all ceremonies. As once in the Middle Ages, they are chosen from among people who valiantly served their country in the military field. The fraternity initially had twenty-six members, but this number was subsequently reduced to thirteen.
The clergy of St. George's Chapel, which has a special status in the church hierarchy, is now much smaller than in the old days, it consists of a rector, two canons who are obliged to live in their parish, several minor canons and one organist. The abbot's cloister is located east of the chapel. The cloister of the canons is quite unusual: it is half built of wood, and its arcade is entirely wooden. The Rector's Chambers include part of the sacristy of Henry III's chapel and the room where the Chapter of the Order of the Garter meets. At Windsor Castle, you can often find a horseshoe motif, for example, in the outline of the courtyard or the location of buildings, and this is not accidental. One of the emblems of King Edward IV, under whom the construction of the present St. George's Chapel began, was a brush - a tuft of hair behind a horse's hoof. Hence the repetition of the semicircular shape in architectural compositions. The Priory's Cloister is accessed by a passage between the Albert Memorial and St. George's Chapel. Here is the bay window from where, according to legend, Henry VIII first saw Anne Boleyn.
The large western entrance to St George's Chapel is opened only on special occasions, so it is usually entered through the north or south doors. The nave of the chapel, decorated with numerous tracery details and a cornice depicting angels, is a magnificent example of 15th-century art. The choir stalls, hidden behind a barrier, are decorated with the finest wood carvings to be found in England. Here are the seats of the Knights of the Order of the Garter, and above them, at the top, are hung their banners and helmets. Some of the enamel tablets on which the heraldic mottos are inscribed date from the era Richard III. Henry VIII, Jane Seymour and Charles I are buried in the crypts located under the choir; Henry VI and Edward IV are also buried in the chapel. The nave contains the sarcophagus of King George V by Sir William Reed Dick, a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as the sarcophagus of Queen Mary.
Other royal burials are in the Albert Memorial Chapel, which was carefully restored in the Victorian era.
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To the east of the Lower Courtyard stands a massive Round Tower, previously surrounded by a deep moat, on the site of which there is now a garden with geometrically regular flower beds and flowering bushes. The garden owes its current appearance to the art of Queen Mary, wife of George V.
The entrance to the state chambers is from the northern terrace; Tours for visitors are held in these premises.
Here you can see the dining room of Charles II, decorated with carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The Catherine Braganza Gallery houses a priceless collection of Van Dyck paintings. In the next room the walls are hung with paintings by Rubens, and in the next room various works by old masters are exhibited. The walls of the Great Reception are decorated with tapestries; in the Waterloo Hall there are paintings depicting full-length European monarchs and commanders - the winners of Napoleon; almost all of them, with a few exceptions, were written by Sir Thomas Lawrence, a member of the Royal Academy of Arts.
The visitor is warned that visiting the state chambers will take him no less than three hours - after all, there is so much to look at! In a separate room there is an amazing dollhouse. It was made for Queen Mary and was first displayed during the Exhibition British Empire, held at Wembley after the First World War. The house was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, President of the Royal Academy of Arts. Many outstanding artists painted miniature paintings for this house, and famous authors wrote tiny books for its library.
The author of these amazing illustrations is William Henry Pyne (1769 - 1843), the son of a weaver. He was a very popular printmaker in his day and wrote a number of books for the publisher Rudolf Ackermann (W.H. Pyne: Republic of Pemberley: Pyne; Prints from Pyne's The History of Royal Residences; Costumes of Great Britain, W.H. Pyne) Unfortunately, illustrations by Henry Pyne fell out of favor towards the end of his life, and he died in poverty.
Address: UK, Windsor
Date of construction: around 1070
Architect: Hugh May
Coordinates: 51°29"02.0"N 0°36"16.0"W
In the county of Berkshire, which is known to every resident of Foggy Albion, stands the most beautiful castle in England. Moreover, according to many sociological surveys conducted, it is also the most beautiful castle in the whole world.
Bird's eye view of the castle
There is nothing surprising about this, because the Queen of Great Britain and members of her family currently live in it. Naturally, the former power of the English monarchs has long since sunk into the past, but the queen, princes and their wives even today live in unspeakable luxury. The thing is that the family of monarchs, even in the 21st century, is considered a symbol of Foggy Albion.
For those who are not familiar with political structure In Great Britain, it is worth clarifying that all power in the country is concentrated in the hands of the prime minister and parliament. However, the Queen's presence at all ceremonial events and many official receptions is considered mandatory. It is for this reason that monarchs still live in the most beautiful castle in the world and enjoy a huge number of privileges. It may not be entirely appropriate to draw a parallel between members of the royal family and the heraldic symbols of the country, but it is precisely this comparison that most fully reflects the constitutional-parliamentary monarchical system in England. According to the most authoritative politicians, this model of governing the country is the most effective and, at the same time, allows Great Britain to demonstrate its luxury and wealth to all countries of the world.
View of the castle from Long Walk
Luxury and wealth - these are the two definitions that best characterize Windsor Castle and the luxurious park adjacent to it. It is in this majestic architectural structure, located on a high hill, on one of the banks of the huge Thames, that the Queen of England arranges magnificent receptions and fulfills the obligations assigned to her by the people. Any tourist who is lucky enough to get to Windsor Castle will be able to familiarize himself with all these obligations.
The residence of the monarchs of England, which is often called “The Winding Shores,” is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in our entire huge planet lock. Its dimensions are 580x165 meters. In addition, Windsor Castle is of genuine interest to travelers because this oldest building in Foggy Albion has not turned into a museum and is not a “dead” attraction: it is still full of life. The Queen receives high-ranking guests of the country there, signs some state documents and demonstrates the prosperity of the monarchy in the United Kingdom.
View of (from left to right) Lancaster's Tower, King George IV's Gate, York's Tower
It would seem that Windsor Castle, which is the current residence of the monarchical family, should be closed from prying eyes. However, many of its premises, in which the queen, her son and grandchildren do not live, are available for inspection, but, at the same time, do not officially belong to any museum.
Visiting Windsor Castle is the dream of hundreds of thousands of tourists, however, not all of them manage to get to the residence of the Queen of Great Britain. Crowds of tourists are not typical for the halls of Windsor Castle. Tours around it are ordered and guests are required to remain silent, because we're talking about about the place where Her Majesty receives numerous heads of state.
In many media outlets in England you can find statements from Queen Elizabeth II of Windsor herself: in them she admits that the most big castle in the world is her favorite residence. She even visits the majestic Buckingham Palace much less frequently than the castle in Berkshire. Before dwelling on the history of the emergence and construction of Windsor Castle, I would like to clarify that the Queen of Great Britain lives in her favorite residence only two months a year: in mid-spring (April) and early summer (June). This only means that the queen’s “work schedule” is quite busy.
View of Edward III's Tower
Windsor Castle - history and construction
The construction of Windsor Castle began during the reign of the legendary William the Conqueror, who, thanks to his talent as a strategist, was able to conquer the entire British Isles in 1066. As we know from history, William the Conqueror was born a warrior (which, in principle, is clear from his nickname), the world of beauty was alien to him. During his reign, all the buildings that were erected on the territory of the British Isles were intended only for two purposes: to intimidate the Anglo-Saxons and to prevent the enemy army from invading the conquered territory.
On the site where the beloved residence of Queen Elizabeth II of Windsor now stands, an embankment appeared in the shortest possible time. On this artificial hill, William the Conqueror orders the construction of a small wooden outpost. It was impossible to withstand a long siege or assault in it: a small army was there only to monitor one of the roads that led to London. In the event of an invasion by an enemy army, messengers from wooden fortress They would immediately report what was happening to the capital, from which a huge army would advance to meet the enemy. By and large, strategically important object was an ordinary observation post.
View of St. George's Gate
By the way, it was under William the Conqueror that the construction of the main attraction of modern Great Britain began - the gloomy Tower. 100 years later, Henry of Anjou decides to strengthen the building erected by William the Conqueror, and builds walls of durable stone around the wooden premises. In addition, a donjon appears in the courtyard, which is a round tower.
In this form, the architectural structure stood until 1350, until Edward III ascended the throne. By the way, he was born in the same fortification. By his order, many old buildings were destroyed, the artificial hill was strengthened, and in the very center of the fortress, workers partially rebuilt the so-called “Round Tower”. Surprisingly, the architectural structure, erected by order of Edward III, has survived to this day. Naturally, it would be presumptuous to say that a modern tourist will be able to see it in its original form.
Round Tower
Over time, the central castle was rebuilt and strengthened several times. By the way, even under Edward III, a deep moat was dug around the castle in Windsor. It was supposed to be filled with water to create another barrier for the enemy army. This idea failed: as mentioned above, the hill was artificial, so the ground in it allowed water to flow, which flowed into the Thames.
Edward III, whose fate was inextricably linked with Windsor Castle, participated with his army in many wars. He went down in history not only due to the start of construction of the largest stone castle in the world, but also due to the fact that he legitimized the Order of the Garter. From the name of the order it becomes clear that Edward III tried to live according to the laws established in his time by King Arthur. The title “knight” was not an empty phrase for Edward III. As we know from history, the winning knight in the tournament received a garter as a reward beautiful lady, hence the name of the order, approved by the monarch and which played a huge role in the establishment of the king’s power in Foggy Albion.
View of Henry VIII's Tower
The heyday of Windsor Castle was in the 14th and 15th centuries. During this period a church was built. By the way, its construction continued during the reign of two kings: Edward IV and Henry VIII. The ashes of the last of them still rest on the grounds of Windsor Castle. It is worth clarifying that the tomb of the kings is located in the chapel of St. George. It is the second most important in the entire United Kingdom. It is here that the most outstanding English monarchs find eternal rest. At the moment, Queen Mary, Queen Alexandra, Henry VIII, Charles I and other equally famous august persons rest here.
In 1666, King Charles II began large-scale construction of new buildings at Windsor Castle and ordered the restoration of the old buildings, which had already begun to collapse as a result of the inexorable passage of time. Architects of that time took the beautiful Palace of Versailles, located in France, as a model for the construction of a luxurious country residence for monarchs. During the reign of Charles II, in the area adjacent to the castle, many gardens with stunning shady alleys were laid out.
Henry VIII Gate
Before continuing the history of the construction of Windsor Castle, perhaps we should go back a little in time and dwell on one terrible event that overshadowed the entire history of the most magnificent architectural structure. In 1648, on the orders of Oliver Cromwell, Windsor Castle was captured and used as the headquarters of his army. It was this year that in the castle where Elizabeth II now enjoys life, there was Charles executed I. By the way, they buried him right in the same place where they took his life. From the beginning of this subsection it becomes clear that the power of the monarchs was restored 12 years after the execution of the king.
After the passing of Charles II, who made an invaluable contribution to the construction of the majestic Windsor Castle, the kings of England, for some unknown reason, forgot about the country residence until 1820. At the beginning of the 19th century, the son of George III ascended the throne, who first of all gave an order, by the way, without delay approved by Parliament, for the restoration and significant expansion of Windsor Castle.
Queen Victoria statue in front of Salisbury Tower
The son of George III ruled for only 10 years, but during this period of time, the architects and workers he hired completely reconstructed the old castle and literally turned it into a luxurious palace before our eyes.
Modern experts argue that Windsor Castle, which was reconstructed and expanded from 1820 to 1830, was built in the Gothic style. There is, of course, some truth in their words, but authoritative architects have a slightly different opinion; the castle was built in two styles at once: neo-Gothic (new Gothic style) and romantic styles. A huge number of decorative elements appeared, and the height of the towers increased significantly. The ingenious architects and engineers of that time developed a unique plan, thanks to which numerous buildings dating from different eras turned into a magnificent ensemble, striking the imagination with its luxury.
View of the Commandant's Tower
Windsor Castle - Royal Residence Tour
Modern tourists who come to get acquainted with the architectural styles of Windsor Castle, its interior decoration and treasures and magnificent gardens should definitely purchase an audio guide on its grounds. It is worth noting that a tour of Windsor Castle will take the whole day. It is the audio guide, which, by the way, is also offered in Russian, that will allow you to see all the main attractions of the largest castle in the world and not miss anything interesting and worthy of attention.
Through the gates of Windsor Castle, the tourist will enter the courtyard, in which the famous “Round Tower” rises, built by order of Henry II and rebuilt by Edward III. By the way, in this tower Edward II held meetings of knights at the legendary round table, invented by King Arthur. It is also interesting that by this tower you can find out whether Elizabeth II of Windsor is in her favorite residence, or whether she is currently absent. If the Queen of Great Britain stays at Windsor Castle, her personal standard flutters in the wind on the round tower.
Chapel of St. George
After visiting the courtyard of Windsor Castle, the audio guide will recommend visiting a real doll's house dedicated to Queen Mary. It is in this building that you can see tourists who come to see this attraction with children. True, all these dolls are not toys or even museum exhibits. Mary's Doll's House is an exhibition that gives visitors to Windsor Castle an insight into how monarchs lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After visiting the Doll's House, where many people linger for quite some time long time, guests of the castle go on a journey through its halls. The halls of Windsor Castle are a real exhibition of paintings by the most famous and most talented artists in the world. The walls of the halls are decorated with paintings by Van Dyck, Raphael, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and other equally famous and legendary painters. Naturally, it’s not even worth emphasizing that all the paintings are originals, because the material is about the favorite residence of the Queen of Great Britain.
Norman Gate
Of particular interest to all tourists without exception is the St. George's Hall, or rather its ceiling. It depicts the heraldic symbols of the knights belonging to the Order of the Garter. By the way, on the ceiling of the hall of St. George, you can see three Russian coats of arms at once: Alexander I, Alexander II and Nicholas I. All these three Russian emperors were knighted and entered the legendary Order of the Garter. Their initiation took place in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle, which is located just outside St. George's Hall. After being knighted, the new members of the Order of the Garter proceeded to Waterloo Hall, where a gala dinner was held.
Another interesting and luxurious room is the Chapel of St. George. As mentioned above, the most famous monarchs who once played a key role in the formation of the United Kingdom are buried there. It is impossible to describe all its luxurious decoration in words. It seems that all the decorative elements and even the walls are made of noble metals and inlaid with precious stones.
From left to right: Queen's Tower, Clarence Tower, Chester Tower, Prince of Wales Tower
By the way, this impression is not deceptive: during the construction of the Church of St. George, which is listed in many guidebooks as the “Temple of the Order of the Garter,” expensive marble, gold and silver were used. In St. George's Chapel, the service is attended by the queen herself and the heir to the throne, who until a certain point was Prince Charles. Even if a tourist gets into the chapel during the service, he will not be able to see the queen and her heir.
At the back of the temple there are two booths, which are closed from prying eyes with thick fabric. It is impossible to guess where the queen sits and where the prince sits. If only because the answer to this question will not be given even after the end of the service. By and large, this is one of the most luxurious premises of Windsor Castle; naturally, you will not be able to enter the premises where the Queen lives. Elizabeth II even prohibits taking photos of her inner chambers.
View of the Arsenal Tower
Windsor Castle - tourist guide
After visiting the accessible premises of Windsor Castle, there is no need to rush to the hotel. Indescribable luxury can also be seen in the gardens laid out on the territory adjacent to the architectural structure.
Windsor Castle is open seasonally (March to October) from 9.30am to 5.30pm. You can enter it no later than 16.00. In winter, the castle closes to visitors at 16.15. As mentioned at the very beginning of the article, visitors to the largest castle in the world and the favorite residence of Queen Elizabeth II of Windsor are required to remain silent. The royal guard ensures peace and order. The same guard that is depicted in many paintings and photographs of professional artists. By the way, the changing of the royal guard at Windsor Castle is a real spectacle, which would be an unforgivable mistake not to watch.
There is a fee to visit Windsor Castle. An adult ticket costs £14.50; children can visit the royal residence for £8. There is also a so-called family ticket”, which costs £34.5 and includes a visit to Windsor Castle for two adults and one child.
Castle courtyard
The best way to get to Windsor Castle is by train. By the way, at the railway ticket office you can immediately purchase tickets to visit one of the main attractions of Great Britain. In this case, you won’t be able to save money, but you will be able to save time. The thing is that there are two entrances to Windsor Castle, intended for tourists. Travelers who purchased a ticket at the ticket office near the castle enter one of them, and the second one - at the railway ticket office. The queue at the last entrance is much shorter than at the first. Queen Elizabeth II of Windsor of Great Britain, of course, enters her residence through a separate entrance, so you won’t be able to come face to face with Her Majesty in line at the castle.
The Palace of Windsor is the oldest inhabited castle in the world. The Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, spend the entire weekend there. This is my favorite Vacation home queens.
Royal couple at Windsor Palace
History of Windsor Castle
The history of Windsor Castle dates back to the time of William the Conqueror. Windsor was one of a chain of fortresses built by the Normans to hold the conquered Saxon lands. It was built in the 1070s. William successfully chose a location for the castle high above the Thames, which at that time was the most important transport route to London. He built Windsor, one day's journey from London, which allowed him, in the event of a crisis, to quickly take refuge in a fortress ready for defense and controlling the approach to the capital from the sea. 
External walls and earth embankment under the fortifications have not changed their place since the 12th century. A century later, from 1165 to 1179, Henry II rebuilt the fortress at Windsor. He destroyed the wooden palisade surrounding the upper fortress, erected stone walls reinforced with square towers, and built the King's Gate. Over the next two centuries, the monarchs continued to gradually develop Windsor Fortress.
Main staircase Although Windsor was one of the places where English monarchs lived for a long time, it was only with the rise of Edward III that the idea arose to build a castle that would be a symbol of the power of royal power. In total, Edward III spent more than 22 million pounds at current prices on the renovation of the castle. He created the majestic St. George's Hall, in which the knights of the Order of the Garter, which he had recently founded, gathered. Edward IV began construction of the chapel in 1461, but did not have time to complete it.
Chapel of St. George The Tudor monarchs also took part in the reconstruction of the castle. King Henry VII erected a memorial to his Lancastrian predecessor, Henry VI, which attracted pilgrims who believed the slain king was a martyr saint. King Henry VIII added a tennis court and redesigned the chapel where he is buried with his third wife and the mother of his only son. The chapel is dedicated to the patron saint of the Order of the Garter, St. George. It represents one of the most beautiful examples of Perpendicular (late medieval) Gothic architecture in England.
The chapel is the official home of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious institution of knighthood in England. Members of the order display a banner in the chapel depicting their heraldic coat of arms, personal crest, sword and helmet. When a knight of the order dies, the insignia is returned to the monarch, but the coat of arms remains in the chapel.
The castle was damaged and plundered during the English Civil War in the mid-17th century. Oliver Cromwell captured Windsor Castle in 1642, and made it the headquarters of the parliamentary forces and a prison. King Charles was imprisoned in this prison until his execution in London. His body was then returned for burial at St. George's Chapel.
Round Tower Following the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, the King's cousin, Prince Rupert, was given the post of Constable of Windsor Castle and was commissioned to restore the castle in a Baroque style, following the example of the Palace of Versailles of King Louis XIV of France. In the 1670s, the architect Hugh May created new royal chambers, the walls of which were painted with frescoes by the Italian artist Antonio Verrio. The Dining Room, the Court Chambers and the Queen's Hall still retain many elements of the original decoration. Charles II also created a 5 km walk from the castle to Windsor Great Park. 
George I loved Windsor Castle more than the palaces of St. James, Hampton Court and Kensington. George II, on the other hand, rarely lived in Windsor, preferring Hampton Court. Many apartments in the Upper Tower were allocated as housing for famous widows or friends of the crown. By the 1740s, visitors were being given the opportunity to tour the Palace of Windsor for a fee. In 1753, the first guide to Windsor appeared.
Eastern corridor Strangely, the third king, named George, took a liking to Windsor again. He moved his family to the castle, so visitor access was limited.
The palace was reconstructed once again during the reign of King George IV, who persuaded Parliament to grant him three hundred thousand pounds for this purpose. (Equivalent to £245 million in twenty-first century currency). Architect Geoffrey Wyattville gave the State Apartments a new grand entrance and staircase, and added the colossal Waterloo Hall in 1820, dedicated to the victory over Bonaparte. The hall is hung with portraits of monarchs, soldiers, statesmen who took part in the Napoleonic wars. Among them, portraits of the Duke of Wellington, Field Marshal von Blücher, the emperors of Austria and Russia, the kings of England, Prussia and France and Pope Pius VII. The walls of the hall are covered with panels, most of which was created in the 1680s for the old royal chapel by the famous master Grinling Gibbons and his assistants. After the destruction of the chapel, the panels were moved to Waterloo Hall. The carpet lying on the floor was woven by prisoners at Agra Prison for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1894. It is the largest seamless carpet in the world, weighing two tons. During the 1992 fire, it took fifty soldiers to roll it up and move it to safety.
Waterloo Hall George IV had good taste and a love of theatrics. At his request, it was completely changed during the 1820s appearance castle In accordance with the fashion trends of the time, the castle has the romantic, picturesque appearance that exists today. It was at this time that Windsor Palace acquired the appearance of a Gothic castle with a battlemented fortress wall and turrets. 
At the same time, new living rooms were created in the palace on sunny eastern and southern sides castle The project was completed in 1830, the year of George's death. The State Apartments are filled with beautiful works of art from the royal collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.
The rooms were heavily damaged by a fire in 1992. During the restoration, the original designs approved by George IV were used. Currently, they have completely returned to their original appearance.
Dark red living room Queen Victoria and Prince Albert also considered Windsor Castle their primary residence, despite Victoria's complaints that the palace was "dull and tiresome" and "like a prison." When Prince Albert died of typhus in the Blue Room at Windsor Castle in 1861, Queen Victoria plunged the palace into mourning for many years. Only towards the end of her reign did entertainment begin to appear in the castle again, combining the queen’s desire to have fun with the fear that it would be noticed by her subjects.
Green living room Edward VII ascended the throne in 1901 and immediately set about modernizing Windsor Castle with "enthusiasm and interest". Many of the rooms in the Upper Tower, sealed after the death of the Prince Consort, were opened, relics were moved to a special room in the Round Tower, and the rooms themselves were completely reconstructed. George V continued the process of gradual modernization of the palace.
Main entrance When George V decided to replace the German surnames and names of the royal family with English ones during the First World War, he was inspired by Windsor Castle and its royal history. One of England's most successful medieval kings, Edward III, was born in the castle and was known as "Edward Windsor". In 1917, the royal family officially changed their surname to Windsor, identifying themselves with the historic castle. 
At the beginning of World War II in 1939, the castle was fortified. Many staff from Buckingham Palace have moved to Windsor for greater security. It was believed that the king and queen were constantly in Buckingham Palace, but this is not so. In the evenings they left central London for the safety of Windsor, where Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret lived. 
Queen Elizabeth II (the 40th monarch since William the Conqueror) made no significant changes to the castle until the 1992 fire. The fire started in the chapel on November 20th and quickly spread throughout the castle. Nine government apartments were damaged in the fire. Firefighters had to douse everything with water to contain the flames. Some works of art were also damaged in the fire. Renovating the palace was said to cost more than £40 million.
Gallery at the Palace of Windsor Unlike George IV, Elizabeth II failed to obtain a parliamentary grant to restore Windsor Castle. Prime Minister John Major's proposal to pay for repairs by public funds, since the palace is the property of the state, was very unpopular and led to demands for changes in the financial situation of the monarchy. The British demanded that the restoration of Windsor Castle be financed from the private income of the royal family. Ultimately, the Queen paid for the renovations from her own income and income from opening Buckingham Palace rooms to visitors. Windsor Castle was reopened to the public in 1997.
Modern life at Windsor Castle
Nowadays, Windsor Castle is often used for holding state events instead of Buckingham Palace.
Every year the Queen spends Windsor Palace about a month during Easter. During this time, the Queen receives guests, including politicians and public figures.
The Queen is also here for a week in June when she attends a meeting of the Order of the Garter and the Royal Races at Ascot.
Badge of the Order of the Garter The senior ranks of the order take part in the ceremony of the Order of the Garter. It begins in St. George's Chapel. Then, in the hall of the order, the queen initiates new knights, ending with a royal dinner for the Knights of the Garter in the Waterloo Chamber of the castle. The table is set with a magnificent gilded silver service for fifty to sixty guests, who are entertained by a musical ensemble playing on the balcony.
Windsor Palace is often used by the Queen to host state visits from foreign monarchs and presidents. Foreign heads of state enter the castle in a carriage through the George IV Gate into the upper courtyard, where they are greeted by a guard of honor. The state banquet takes place in the St. George's Hall (55.5 m long and 9 m wide) at a table that can accommodate up to 160 guests.
Royal Guard Parade at Windsor St. George's Chapel holds daily services open to all. Many royal weddings have been celebrated in the chapel. The last time was the wedding in June 1999 of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones. Ten British monarchs are buried in the chapel: Edward IV, Henry VI, Henry VIII, Charles I, George III, George IV, William IV, Edward VII, George V and George VI.
The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William dressed as Knights of the Order of the Garter The Palace of Windsor is a popular UK attraction. The state apartments, the chapel of St. George, the surrounding area and the courtyards inside the castle are open to visitors. When the Queen is in Windsor, you can watch the colorful spectacle of the changing of the guard.
The best time to visit Windsor Castle is between October and March, when the private chambers created for George IV are open. These rooms have the most ornate interiors in the castle and are used by the Queen for formal occasions.
Windsor Castle Map The palace houses Queen Mary's Doll's House. Built by leading British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1921 and 1924, it is a miniature replica of an aristocratic home. The doll's house is filled with thousands of objects made by leading artists, designers and craftsmen, in 1:12 scale. In the Doll House you can turn on electricity, hot and cold water, elevators and toilets.
Tourist information
The castle is open to visitors throughout the year, except holidays. From March to October from 9-45 to 17-15, from November to February from 9-45 to 16-15.
Tickets cost £18.50 for adults, £16.75 for seniors and students and £11.00 for children under 17.
A ticket purchased directly from the Royal Collection Trust can be converted into an annual pass for the location you visit.
To do this you need:
1. Before leaving the castle grounds, write your name in the space indicated on the ticket.
2. Give the ticket to the administrator, who will stamp it and stamp the date of the first visit.
How to get to Windsor Castle
By train:
As you can see on the map, there are two in Windsor railway stations, located approximately the same distance from the castle, Windsor and Eaton Central (or Windsor Royal Station) and Windsor and Eaton Central.
Windsor Map There is a direct train to Windsor and Eaton Central station every 30 minutes from Waterloo Station. The duration of the trip is a little over an hour.
Windsor and Eaton Central can be reached from Paddington Station with one change at Slough for the same journey duration.
By bus:
The line to Windsor is operated by Greenline Service from Victoria Station. Travel time – 1 hour.
Windsor Castle, England is rightfully considered the country's most romantic attraction, according to the travel portal Tripadvisor. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the largest castle in the world. Even if you have never been to, you have probably heard about it.
This has been the residence of the royal family for 900 years. It impresses even the most experienced travelers. In terms of scale, sophistication and grandeur, no castles in the Czech Republic, Austria or Poland are comparable to it.
This is not a "dead" landmark, all year round life is in full swing here. Ceremonial receptions of high-ranking guests from other countries, balls, and diplomatic meetings are held here.
According to Queen Elizabeth II, this stone giant is her favorite, second even to Buckingham Palace.
But due to a busy schedule, we manage to live here only two months a year (usually May and June).
It’s nice that the castle, despite the fact that the royal family lives in it, is open to the prying eyes of tourists. However, it is not an official museum.
History of the construction of Windsor Castle
The state monastery was built in 1066, when the legendary William the Conqueror conquered the British Isles. All buildings erected in those days had two goals: to prevent the invasion of conquerors at any cost and to intimidate them.
During its 900-year history, the castle was rebuilt and strengthened many times, depending on the tastes of the owners and their financial capabilities. Under Henry of Anjou, the castle was fortified with walls made of strong stone. Subsequent monarchs gradually rebuilt the existing structures. While they look the same from the front, the interior layout looks significantly different.
The castle flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries. Large-scale construction of new buildings, strengthening the main wall and old buildings, protecting them from destruction.
In the 17th century, the French became the standard of construction, King Charles II kept up with the times, many buildings were reconstructed in the Baroque style, and an English garden was laid out. George IV tried the most. During his reign, a huge number of decorative elements appeared in the castle. Thanks to him, numerous buildings from different eras turned into a harmonious architectural ensemble that amazes the imagination.
Panoramic walk through the castle
After the fire in 1992, significant restoration took place, which introduced modern elements of decoration into the interior of the castle. For example, the new interior of the Historical Hall. There are many mysterious stories and legends associated with the castle.
In addition to the living royal family, like any ancient building in England, it is by any means famous for its rich collection of ghosts: Henry VIII's unhappy wife Anne Boleyn was seen in the library, he himself was seen in the endless corridors of the castle.
Lock diagram
- A. Round Tower
- B. Upper Chambers, The Quadrangle (as this courtyard is known)
- C. The State Apartments
- D. Royal Apartment, East Terrace View
- E. South wing, overlooking The Long Walk
- F. Lower Houses
- G. Chapel of St. George
- H. Horseshoe-shaped indoor arcade
- L. The Long Walk
- K. King Henry VIII Gate (main entrance to the castle)
- M. Norman Gate
- N. North terrace
- O. Edward III Tower
- T. The Curfew Tower
Features when visiting
You can easily purchase a ticket for a tour of the castle. Set aside a whole day for this. You are unlikely to be able to cover the vast territory in a couple of hours, and the impressions will not be the same. The ticket price includes a visit to the palace and surrounding areas, an audio guide (available in Russian) and a half-hour guided tour in a group. Despite the fact that this place is one of the main attractions of the country, there are no crowds of tourists here as in British Museum. The excursions are well organized. Visitors are required to remain silent.
The tour begins with the Round Tower - the most tall building castle This is the same legendary place where King Arthur sat with his knights at the round table.
If the personal standard of Elizabeth II is developing on the Round Tower, then it is currently located in the palace.
After visiting the courtyard, the tour group will go to Queen Mary's doll's house. Presented here are partly toys, partly exhibition pieces, partly beautiful models of how monarchs lived in the palace throughout its 900-year history. The children's favorite exhibition, there are a lot of them here.
St. George's Hall is another interesting place castle Be sure to pay attention to the ceiling, there are heraldic symbols of knights depicted there, among them there are three Russian coats of arms: Alexander I, II and Nicholas I. They were also knighted.
Be sure to take a stroll through the magnificent park adjacent to the property. If you're lucky, you might see the changing of the guard.
Practical information
How to get to Windsor Castle: the best way is by train, which runs from the notorious King Cross station.
Opening hours: from May to October from 9:30 to 17:30, closed at other times of the year.
Entrance tickets to the monastery of antiquity, ghosts and the royal crown are best purchased on the train. You will save a lot of time; there is a long line at the ticket office at the entrance. Cost £15 per adult.
Address: Windsor, Windsor and Maidenhead SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7766 7304
If you come to London in winter, spring or early summer, you are unlikely to be able to get into Buckingham Palace: Queen Elizabeth goes on vacation to Scotland in August and September, and uses the palace as an office the rest of the time. However, do not be upset: 40 minutes drive from London is my favorite British palace - Windsor Castle. I’ll tell you about it today.
Ancient fortress, real home queens and the estate that gave their surname to the last generations of reigning monarchs. You can get here all year round, with the exception of days of ceremonial receptions. And you won’t even guess that the queen is nearby...
When you approach Windsor, the castle appears in all its beauty from afar: located on a hill, it is unlike any of the London palaces.
A medieval fortress made of light brick with the flag of Great Britain (or the standard of the Queen, if she is at home) will capture your attention and imagination even on the approaches to it. And no wonder: Windsor is considered the oldest and largest residential castle in the world.
From the history
Windsor Castle was built in 1070. More precisely, William the Conqueror ordered the creation of an artificial hill and the construction of a wooden fort, a simple observation post, on it. A hundred years later, Henry of Anjou decides to surround the building with stone walls and erect the Round Tower, and almost two centuries later, King Edward III orders the fortress to be rebuilt, the hill strengthened and a defensive ditch dug. However, the last idea failed, because the hill was artificial, and all the water flowed into the Thames.
The history of the creation of the Order of the Garter is also connected with the name of Edward III. In general, it must be said that this king tried to live by the code of chivalry. Edward organized meetings of knights in the Round Tower of the castle at a round table, maintaining the traditions of the semi-mythical King Arthur. Meetings of members of this Order are still held in Windsor. True, they moved from the Tower to the main building of the palace.
The castle was rebuilt, updated and restored more than once. The first period of prosperity occurred in the 14th–15th centuries. Then Elizabeth I gave diplomatic receptions here.
In 1648, Cromwell and his army captured the castle and executed Charles I here, burying him right there. However, the son of the murdered man, Charles II, returned to power 12 years later and took up the castle in earnest: new buildings were built, the model for which was the Palace of Versailles in France, and extensive parks and gardens were laid out around the estate. However, then, for unknown reasons, the castle was forgotten for almost another 2 centuries, until in 1820 George IV ascended the throne, and during his short 10-year reign he once again reconstructed and expanded the castle, returning it to its former glory.
From this moment on, Windsor Castle became the favorite family residence of monarchs. Queen Victoria and her heirs lived here: King Edward VII, his son George V. During the Second World War and the bombing of London, George VI and his wife were in London during the day, at Buckingham Palace, supporting the townspeople with their presence, and in the evening they left for Windsor to his daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
When, after the First World War, the question arose about German name ruling dynasty, George V changed the surname of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor, after the name of the family estate.
The castle was not accessible to the public until 1992, when a fire accidentally broke out in the Semi-State Rooms while celebrating the 45th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The fire was put out for almost a day. After this, it was decided to open access to the castle on a regular basis, at least to obtain funds for repairs.
How to get there
Bus: from Victoria Coach Station (Buckingham Palace Road) daily to number 702 (Greenline company). Travel time is about 1 hour.
In Windsor, the bus stops right next to the castle, it’s impossible to miss it. The cost there and back is 15.4 EUR (15 GBP). If you take a one-way ticket, it will be 11.6 EUR (10 GBP), so take it straight there and back.
Car: M4 Exit 6 and M3 Exit 3. The distance from London to Windsor is 38 km, travel time is 55 minutes. Please note that there is no separate parking near the castle, so you will have to park somewhere in the town. You can find parking in advance at.
Railway:
- from London Waterloo station to Windsor & Eton Riverside station (direct journey takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes);
- from London Paddington Station to Windsor & Eton Central with a change at Slough (30-45 mins).
My favorite way to get to Windsor is Railway. I always leave Paddington station around 9:00. You can go to the machine to get your ticket, but I prefer the ticket office. Nice once again to hear “Yes, ma’am!”, and to avoid misunderstandings with credit cards and other things when time is running out.
At the ticket office we immediately ask for a ticket to Windsor (the ticket will be a single ticket, that is, immediately with a transfer). It’s profitable to take it back and forth (out & return), it’s cheaper. The cost is approximately 12.2 EUR (10.5 GBP), depending on the train load.
Drive from the station to the station. Slough, where you need to make a transfer, approximately 20–30 minutes. Changing trains is not as scary as it sounds: you just need to get out onto the platform and go to the other side, where there will be a “cuckoo” - a short train of several cars. It runs every 20 minutes, and if you travel from London on the 9 o'clock train, there will be a gap of about 5 minutes between trains and you will arrive right when the castle opens.
Train SLO - Windsor travel time 6 minutes. On weekends it also stops at Eton station.
On the way back to London, you will have to change platforms at Slow, but English transitions not as high as our railway bridges.
9-hour trains can be either half-empty or overcrowded. Having gone to Windsor with my mother, I suddenly found myself on a crowded train, plus men in their 30s with reserved tickets (that is, you can buy a ticket the day before and reserve a seat for yourself absolutely free, but only for a certain flight. If you are late, the ticket will be valid, but without the exact location). I still don’t understand why people gave up their seats, because there was no electronic “Reserved” sign near the seats.
I turned on all the charm and asked one of them to wait until Slow, because mom was having a hard time standing. Without much joy, he complied with my request. His companions looked puzzled. Unfortunately, equal rights in England have led to the fact that it is not customary to give up your seat to ladies or elders either on the subway or on the train.
On the way from Slow to the place, the castle will appear to you from afar in all its glory more than once. Upon arrival at Windsor Central, you can admire the Queen Victoria Steam Locomotive, which was installed in 1982 during Madame Tussauds' Monarchs and the Railway exhibition. It turned out to be very expensive to dismantle it, and since then the elegant locomotive has greeted everyone who arrived in Windsor.
The station itself has been turned into a small but very beautiful shopping center with cafes and restaurants. After passing through the shopping arcade, you suddenly find yourself on the street right under the castle walls.
We go around the statue of Queen Victoria and go up to the palace. Leave the shops on the right, especially the one in the blue house, for later, don’t repeat my mistakes. I was allowed to carry a large shopping bag with me, but walking around with it was not very convenient :).
Opening hours
On average, you will need 2–3 hours to explore the castle. Please note that the building is ancient, has paved courtyards and is located on a hill with elevation changes.
Open to the public:
- IN summer period(March - October) - daily from 09:30 to 17:30.
- In winter (November - February) - daily from 9:45 to 16:15.
- Last entry: in summer - at 16:00, in winter - at 15:00.
Since the castle is the real home of the royal family, it may be closed for diplomatic receptions, Easter and Christmas. I recommend checking the opening hours on its official website before visiting.
There is also a possibility that the lock will be closed unexpectedly and in a short time. I have not encountered such urgency, but I believe that in exchange for this you will be offered a return visit for free.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on site, online, ordered by phone (additional order fee - 2 GBP) or via London Pass.
Price:
- Adult - 23.2 EUR (20 GBP).
- Preferential (students and people over 60 with supporting documents) - 21.12 EUR (18.20 GBP).
- Children under 17 years of age and disabled people - 13.6 EUR (11.70 GBP).
- Children under 5 years old are free.
- Family (2 adults and 3 children under 17 years old) - 60 EUR (51.70 GBP).
If the State Apartments are closed:
- Adult - 12.5 EUR (10.80 GBP).
- Preferential (students and people over 60 with supporting documents) - 11.4 EUR (9.80 GBP).
- Children under 17 years of age and disabled people - 8 EUR (6.80 GBP).
- Children under 5 years old are free.
- Family (2 adults and 3 children under 17 years old) - 33 EUR (28.40 GBP).
You can order tickets online.
It is noteworthy that the residents of the town of Windsor itself, whose official name- Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, can visit the castle for free.
You don’t need to pay extra for it if you have London Pass(read more about the tourist map on our website). In addition to prepaid admission, LP also provides skip-the-line access. Look for the London Pass sign. This helped us save a lot of time and not get wet in the rain while waiting at the entrance.
If you bought a ticket directly in the palace, then you have the opportunity to come back here again absolutely free during a year. You must write your name on the back of the ticket and stamp it with a castle employee at the exit, and you are welcome back to the palace!
Audio guide, excursions and amenities
The audio guide is free, and is also in Russian. My constant advice: if you learn English, train your ears - take a guide in English. Audio and video will have a great impact on your knowledge. Even if you don’t immediately understand what George V said in this corner.
You can book private excursions 2 months in advance. There are many themed excursions in the castle. English language, for example, Great Kitchen based on the castle’s active kitchen, which is more than 750 years old, or “Hike to the Restorers.” Excursions are designed for a group of 15 people and last on average 1.5 hours.
Restrooms are located at the entrance to the castle next to the audio guide distribution point and next to the entrance to the State Rooms. (be careful: there are no WC facilities in the palace).
There are elevators in the palace premises for people with disabilities. However, for a special visit, it is better to contact the palace staff in advance.
Security and other nuances
Since the castle is the queen's active home, the level of security here is high. At the entrance you will have to go through a frame, like at the airport. It is better not to take sharp objects such as scissors (you will have to check them in for a while, like very large bags).
One day I was lucky and was allowed in with a large package of kilts, scarves and other gifts bought near the castle. It's your business, take it for yourself! They let me into the palace, however, I immediately looked at the wardrobe and asked to take my luggage for safekeeping. “Did anyone have a good time shopping today?” - The wardman smiled at me and took the package.
The security kindly asks you not to make noise and be understanding that the tour of the castle follows the arrows in one direction (in fact, you can easily return to the previous point, not everything is so strict if there are few people).
Bringing food and water is prohibited. You can buy water in the castle shops or go out to eat in the city through the lower courtyard and return back through the audio guide issuing point. Unfortunately, there is no cafe inside the castle yet, although they promise to build one on the site of an ancient storeroom.
Photography is only allowed in the castle courtyard. The guards can even suggest the best view.
Photography inside the castle and St. George's Chapel is prohibited. Also, no part of Windsor Castle can be used for wedding photo shoots other than royal ones.
Castle grounds
The castle grounds are surrounded by high walls, up to 4 meters thick in places, with towers along the entire perimeter.
The castle is also adjacent to the huge Windsor Park, which I never have time to explore. There is a small estate in the park Frogmore house, where there is a small house and tomb of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The castle is divided into three parts:
Changing of the Guard
If you arrived at the castle in the morning, then at 11:00 your attention will be attracted by the sounds of a military orchestra coming from the Lower Court. Guardsmen in bright red uniforms or blue-gray overcoats will come with an orchestra from the town through the lower gates, play a few tunes, and then the action will freeze. For some time the soldiers will rearrange themselves, shout something, and then stand still again. At this moment, you can see how thick the soles of the guard’s boots are.
To be honest, standing in the wind in the Lower Courtyard is uncomfortable. And everyone also wants to see the guards, so more than once I had to climb on posts or go onto the lawn (it’s a shame, but I also want to see). After about 40 minutes the action comes to life: finally there is a changeover, and to the sounds of the orchestra the guard goes back to the city.
During the summer, the changing of the guard takes place every day except Sunday. In winter - every odd day of the week.
St. George Chapel
The chapel is a wonderful monument of Gothic architecture. Inside it is quite bright and much more spacious than Westminster Abbey, which it actually resembles. In it, as in the Abbey, the multi-colored standards of the Knights of the Order of the Garter are also hung above the choir.
The temple hosts ceremonial services, royal weddings, and burials of monarchs of recent generations. Here are the resting places of Elizabeth II's parents, the Queen Mother and George VI, as well as her grandmother, Queen Mary. There are burials of more ancient ancestors: Edward IV, Henry VIII and Jane Seymour.
Almost at the exit from the chapel there will be the tomb of Prince Albert. As you know, Queen Victoria loved her husband very much, and before the mausoleum was built in Frogmore Park (part of Windsor Park), Albert was buried in the chapel for a year.
The room is not completely accessible for inspection, i.e. you cannot go inside, but you can see the beautiful marble floor and gilded sculptures from the entrance. Large mirrors are placed in the tomb so that a visitor, standing on the threshold, through them can fully see the painted walls of the room and the tombstones of the son and grandson of Albert and Victoria.
In the chapel of St. St. George's day there are three services that you can freely attend:
- 10:45 - Mattins and Sermon (Matins and Sermon),
- 12:00 - Sung Eucharist (Eucharist),
- 17:15 - Evensong (Vespers).
They prepare more carefully for the evening service, so from 16:00 to 17:00 there is usually no access to the church. On Sunday the temple is closed to visitors due to the fact that the Queen usually spends her weekends at the castle.
Queen Mary's Cottage
On site, you can go separately and see Queen Mary's Doll's House: a miniature replica of Buckingham Palace with replica interiors, furniture and paintings. The house has everything, even a real one wine Vault and miniature thrones. The room where the house is displayed is a little dark, and everyone is crowding around the glass display case with the masterpiece. I'm not as passionate about miniatures as Queen Mary, so I skipped that part on subsequent visits.
However, there is also a display case with dolls of Queen Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret.
During a visit to France in 1938, King George VI received two dolls, France and Marianne, complete with outfits, suitcases and even cars, for his young daughters. The entire doll's wardrobe was created by fashion houses Cartier, Lanvin, Hermes, etc.
State rooms
This is the public part of the palace where all receptions and meetings take place. You can, of course, see the windows of the private half from the official rooms, but it is unlikely that the queen will flash through them.
On the ground floor there are rooms where items of royal services are displayed in display cases: gilded candlesticks and stands for huge dishes, porcelain plates and crystal glasses. Nearby there is a cloakroom where you can drop off large bags (don’t worry, it’s double-sided, and by the end of the excursion you will be exactly on the other side of it and pick up your things).
Next you go up the luxurious staircase to the second floor. It is this way that diplomats and all those invited to dinner parties get to Windsor Castle. You will immediately feel that you are in a castle, because there will be figures of mounted knights, armor and weapons all around. The royal guard room contains excellent examples of weaponry.
Tourists can see the state chambers of the king and the separate chambers of the queen at the turn of the 18th–19th centuries, including a bedroom, living room and dining room for each of them.
All rooms are full of paintings, elegant antique furniture and sculpture.
- Waterloo Chamber is a portrait gallery of Great Britain's allies in the fight against Napoleon. Among the portraits of the Duke of Wellington and Pope Pius VII, you will also find a portrait of the Russian Tsar Alexander I. Now the Queen holds receptions and awards ceremonies here. On days when tourists visit the castle, the castle’s magnificent carpets are simply rolled up.
- Reception Hall- a former ballroom, with an amazing malachite vase, a gift from Tsar Nicholas I. In this room it is noticeable that the parquet is quite new.
The fact is that after the fire in 1992, water ruined the precious coating. Then a cunning technique was used: the blocks of wood were removed and laid bottom up to its own place. 
- Garter Throne Room- small hall for meetings of the Order, which is headed by the Queen herself. The blue velvet walls are decorated with a huge portrait of her and other members of the order. In the next room, in a glass case, the main symbols of the order are displayed: the garter and the insignia.
The number of members of the order is limited, and new ones can only be accepted after the death of one of them. The colorful procession of the Order through Windsor Castle to St. Chapel. George usually takes place in June and attracts many spectators. 
Signs and symbols of this order can be found not only at Windsor Castle, but also in. Personally, the insignia of the Order of the Garter reminds me of the backing for Russian award insignia. 
- Hall of St. St. George Hall- the largest and most beautiful reception hall in the castle. Its wooden walls are covered with the names of knights, whose coats of arms are placed on the walls and ceiling of the hall. Do not be surprised if you see empty places with traces of the obvious presence of the coat of arms: demoted knights are removed from the lists and the memorial row.
In the hall of St. George, ceremonial diplomatic dinners are held. The longest table is installed, the straight lines of which are checked with a ruler. The placement of glasses and plates is also checked to the nearest centimeter. Before receptions, the Queen personally inspects the table setting. 
At the end of the hall, behind the right door, there is a small dark room, in the windows of which items of church utensils are displayed: in this place before the fire there was a home chapel, and from here the entrance to the Semi-State rooms begins, as the carpet running behind the closed door will tell you, if you arrive in the summer. 
Semi-state rooms
These are several private rooms from the time of George IV, open to the public only in winter. The fire in 1992 started here. Much of the fittings were saved, but much was damaged.
Today, the decoration of the rooms has become even brighter, since pieces of furniture have been restored or recreated according to drawings from the Royal Library. The Raspberry Living Room is especially striking. Combined with gold, the new vibrant silk upholstery appears in all its splendor.
Semi-state rooms are now also in use royal family for receptions.
Gift shops and Edinburgh Wollen Mill
There are several souvenir shops on the territory of the castle: at the point where audio guides are issued, in the Lower Courtyard, in the Middle Courtyard and a shop in the Chapel of St. George (marked with orange squares on the map).
You can buy a lot of things there:
There is another shop right opposite the castle entrance that I advise you not to miss. Edinburgh Mile- the same blue house that I talked about at the beginning, a store of kilts, scarves and other things made of cashmere. Kilts actually exist for women, and they come in 3 lengths: floor-length, mid-calf and knee-length. The price of a mini kilt is 46.4 EUR (40 GBP). It's cheaper than the same things in London. I have 4 of these!
You can buy cashmere sweaters - from 40.6 EUR (35 GBP). The prices are not cheap, but there is a discount on many things, and the quality is excellent. And only here you will find items of the memorial tartan (Scottish check) of Princess Diana. I haven't seen them in London.
Tartan colors are blue and pink. When choosing scarves, be careful: they are soft to the touch for 29 EUR (25 GBP) and 128 EUR (110 GBP)! You will also find charming tartan gloves for 5.8 EUR (5 GBP). They are simply irreplaceable in the Windsor winds!
Finally
If you decide to come to Windsor, set aside a full day! Three hours in the castle will fly by very quickly, and you still need to visit the huge Windsor Park. I even envy you a little, because either the weather or business always prevented me from examining it properly and getting to the Frogmore estate in the park.
You can have lunch in the town or at the station in cafes while waiting for the train to Slow. Or you can go down into the Thames Valley and walk to Eton College. In any case, stunning views and fresh English air are guaranteed!
Spend your day like English monarch on a rest!
Anything to add?