Windsor Castle - England's Royal Residence

Windsor Castle as viewed from the long walk at sunset, November 2006.

Windsor Castle is part of the Crown Estate and has been a Royal residence since the 1070s, when William the Conqueror built it. William was proclaimed King of England after the Norman invasion of 1066. At first, it wasn't really used as a Royal residence but future Kings made improvements and built on to the castle and made it what it is today. It survived the English Civil War and was used as a prison for Charles I during that time. Windsor Castle has been the residence for 39 Monarchs but during the reign of George IV is when it got its classic skyline.

Today, Queen Elizabeth II and the immediate royal family make use of the castle for the weekends. The castle is open to the public most of the year and a typical visit there last 2-3 hours. On a tour you will get to visit Queen Mary's Doll House, a lavish and intricate Doll house built for Queen Mary in the 1920s when she was married to King George V, The State Apartments, which are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, St. George's Chapel, which houses the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Charles I and Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. The chapel is also the spiritual home to the Order of the Garter, the highest order of British chivalry established by Edward III in 1348 and there's also the Changing of the Guard, which is a wonderful sight to see in all its glory.

Windsor castle is only an hour by train from Central London. You can get there by catching the train from Paddington Station to Windsor & Eton Central station.

Have you been to Windsor Castle? Tell us about your visit below!