Windsor Castle
Samuel Pepys proclaimed the Castle to be "the most romantique castle that is in the world". That was in 1666, and the same is true today. HistoryThe origins of Windsor were in the 7th century Saxon settlement of Windlesora, where the present day village of Old Windsor is located. The town of Windsor is correctly known as "New Windsor" - the word "new" being used in a strictly relative sense! Windsor Castle was first built by William the Conqueror, following his invasion of England in 1066. The original structure was built from timber with earth fortifications. The Castle held an obvious strategic position on a steep hill overlooking the River Thames, and was part of a ring of castles around London, with the Tower of London, one day's march away, at its heart. The Castle was later rebuilt in stone, and grew in importance over the years. Henry II constructed the Round Tower and the original stone outer wall. Following the English Civil War, the Castle's primary role became that of a royal palace. The Castle has remained largely unchanged since the early nineteenth century, apart from the restoration work following the fire (see below). The FireThe Fire of Windsor Castle took place on 20 November 1992 - ironically the 45th wedding anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. During work on some of the State Rooms in the castle, a fire broke out in the north-east part of the Castle and rapidly spread to engulf many rooms. Fortunately most treasures and works of art had been removed temporarily and so few items were lost, although over 100 rooms in the Castle were badly damaged or destroyed. The fire took 250 firefighters some 15 hours to extinguish. The Castle was renovated, the aim being to restore the damaged rooms to their former glory using authentic materials and craftsmanship, and was re-opened in 1997 after five years of work. The cost of the renovation was £37 million.
Windsor Castle is much larger than most people realise (more than 12 acres), and it is worth allowing a good two hours for your visit. The Castle is open every day except Garter Day (One day in June every year), Easter, Christmas, and one or two other days during the year. Opening times and access may be restricted at certain times of the year due to state functions. For accurate information, and ticket prices, see the Official Royal Website - visitors information page, or telephone 01753 831118. Ticket Information 2008 (taken from Windsor.gov.uk
The chapels
are closed on Sundays, although worshippers are welcome.
The Castle is a pleasure to walk around. As you proceed through the various wards and terraces, you will have excellent views of the Round Tower, of the various fortifications, and of the surrounding countryside, including Eton and the River Thames.
After returning home from a visit to the King and Queen at Windsor Castle, during which they had shown her much kindness, Princess Marie Louise found her mother and her sister assembling a collection of miniature furniture for Queen Mary. Queen
Mary was known as a collector of miniature objects including Fabergé
animals, children's silver furniture and other examples of 'tiny craft'.
This gave Princess Marie Louise an idea. She announced to her family
that she would commission a dolls' house as a present for the Queen.
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Windsor
Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world, and the oldest
in continuous occupation (over 900 years). It is one of the Queen's
three official residences, and is often said to be her favourite.
The Royal Standard flies over the Round Tower of Windsor Castle when
the Queen is in residence - at other times, the Union Jack flag flies
in its place.
If
you are visiting Windsor and need somewhere to stay we recommend
The
magnificent and beautiful St George's Chapel was
started in 1475 by Edward IV and was completed fifty years later by
Henry VIII. It ranks among the finest examples of late medieval architecture
(perpendicular gothic) in the UK. Ten monarchs are buried in the Chapel,
including Henry VIII with his wife Jane Seymour. The Chapel is the
Chapel of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's highest Order
of Chivalry. The Order was founded by Edward III in 1348 and the Garter
Knights are selected by the Queen. The Ceremony of the Garter takes
place on 14th June 1999, and is attended by the Garter Knights, the
Queen and members of the Royal Family.
Queen
Mary's Dolls' House is an amazing dolls' house built on a
scale of 1 to 12. It contains working lifts, running water and electricity,
and took 1500 craftsmen three years to complete. 