Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire, is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and has been a royal residence for nearly 1,000 years. William the Conqueror founded the first fortress around 1070, and successive monarchs, notably Edward III, Charles II and George IV, reshaped it. Visitors enter through the main gate and move through three areas: the Lower Ward, the Upper Ward and the Middle Ward dominated by the Round Tower on its mound. The State Apartments display paintings from the Royal Collection by Rubens, Rembrandt and Canaletto, along with armour, porcelain and lavish ceilings, and the Grand Reception Room is among the most opulent interiors. Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a miniature palace built in the 1920s with working lifts and plumbing, is a favourite with many families. St George's Chapel, a 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic church, holds the tombs of Henry VIII, Charles I and other monarchs, and is the setting for royal weddings and funerals. The Changing of the Guard takes place at 11:00 on selected days in the Lower Ward and is one of the most photographed moments of the day. A visit usually takes two to three hours, with an audio guide included. The best exterior photographs are from Castle Hill, the Long Walk, or across the Thames from Eton. Because the castle is a working royal residence, State Apartments may close at short notice for state events. Crowds peak mid-morning and at weekends in summer, while late afternoon and winter weekdays are calmer. Trains from London Paddington and Waterloo reach Windsor in around 30 to 55 minutes, so a day trip is practical, and the town offers pubs and riverside walks.