UK Castles: Windsor Castle
Jake Davies
Lying directly under one of the flight paths for Heathrow Airport, passengers flying in and out can often catch glimpses of Windsor Castle in Windsor below, and chances are good that the Queen and Prince Philip (now King Charles & the Queen Consort, Camilla) are there as that is where they spend a lot of time when not residing in Buckingham Palace.
Windsor Castle has the distinction of being the largest occupied castle in the world as well as being the longest occupied palace in Europe. Since 1917 Windsor has been the family name of the Royal Family, and the castle keep is central in the family crest.
History
Built originally by William the Conqueror as one of a series of fortifications surrounding London, the first monarch to reside there was Henry I in 1110, and successive monarchs have expanded the castle up to its present size of 13 acres.
Each expansion included rebuilding or extending existing structures usually based on earlier styles but with contemporary elements so the castle contains a wide variety of architectural styles though most of it is dated to the Georgian or Victorian periods.
The last big renovation followed the disastrous fire in 1992 that destroyed over 100 rooms of the Upper Ward though much of the artwork was saved.
St. George's Chapel
St. George's Chapel is now the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022, and her husband Prince Philip (1921-2021). They are buried side by side now in the George VI Memorial Chapel.
King George VI, the Queen's father is also buried here, along with his wife, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon and Princess Margaret, the Countess of Snowdon, their daughter and younger sister to Elizabeth II.
King Edward IV began construction of the chapel in 1475 but it was not finally finished until the reign of King Henry VIII, some 50 years later.
The chapel contains the sword of King Edward III and is the home of the Order of the Garter. It was King Edward III who proclaimed St. George as the protector of the English royal family.
Features to admire on a tour of the chapel (see below) are the magnificent West Window, one of the largest in England at 11 meters in height and 9 meters wide. It was first built over 500 years ago but was restored in 1842.
Look out too for the small coffins of two young children, as yet unidentified, believed to be of the "Princes in the Tower" (the deposed King Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York) - murdered as rumor and Shakespeare would have it on the orders of Richard III in the 1480s.
The seats of the knights and ladies of the Order of the Garter (founded in 1348) are marked with their personal banners, hanging from the ceiling above. The Royal Standard hangs over the reigning monarch's seat.
Other British monarchs who lie at rest in St. George's Chapel include King Henry VIII, under the Quire, with his favored wife Jane Seymour and King Charles I, who was beheaded in 1649 and buried in secret.
In the Royal Vault lie George III (1738-1820), the longest reigning king in British history and the monarch who lost America, George IV (1762-1830), William IV (1765-1837) and the last King of Hannover, George V (1819-1878) - the grandson of George III of England.
New the West Door lie King George V (1865-1936) and Queen Mary.
Henry VI, who died imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1471 was later moved from Chertsey Abbey to the chapel.
In addition, King Edward IV (1442-1483) and King Edward VII (1841-1910) are buried here.
Tours
Guided tours, included in the entry price, depart every 30 minutes. Entry is allowed into St. George's Chapel and the State Apartments, and during the winter months the Semi-State Rooms, the most lavish of all the interiors, are open to the public as well.
There are numerous other special tours available, often in the summer. Windsor Castle is open from 9.45 am to 5.15 pm during the summer, closing at 4.15 pm during the winter. For up to date information on special tours and closing days it is best to consult their own website.
Access - Getting to Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle (www.royalcollection.org.uk)
Windsor, Berkshire
SL4 1NJ
The closest station to Windsor Castle is Windsor & Eton Central, 30 minutes from Paddington Station with a change at Slough. A 5 minute walk away is Windsor & Eton Riverside Station with direct trains from Waterloo Station taking 53 minutes.
There are Greenline coaches from Victoria Coach Station. If coming by car take the M4 to Exit 6. M3 to Exit 3. There is no visitor car parking at Windsor Castle.
Eton College is a 20-minute walk north from the castle.
Accommodation
Windsor has a range of accommodation options ranging from 4-star hotels to guesthouses and B&Bs.
Some recommendations include the 4-star Macdonald Windsor opposite Windsor Castle with a restaurant, the Castle Hotel Windsor, also 4-star and the 3-star Christopher Hotel in nearby Eton.
Some charming guesthouses include the traditional adults-only Charles House, the Bluebell House set in a former coaching inn and the New Oscar, less than 10 minutes' drive from Legoland.
See a listing of all accommodation options in Windsor.
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