London Weekend Break

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the oldest castle in the world still to be occupied by a royal family and it is situated in the Windsor area less than one hours traveling time from the city of London.

The origins of a castle on this spot date back to the time of William the Conqueror and the present building has evolved, developed and expanded since that time. The first Windsor castle was made of wood and the present castle’s "Round Tower" is said to sit on the spot of this initial timber structure.

The current Windsor Castle occupies a floor area of almost half a million square feet and is one of the most imposing and threatening buildings that you are ever likely to see. The castle is heavily fortified and its defenses and walls are all born from experience in battle and the potential threat of foreign invasion.

Windsor Castle has always been the strong hold of the monarch and the building from which the King or Queen would "hold their fort" during troubled times. At the outbreak of World War II, in 1939, it was to Windsor castle that the King and Queen took their family and they remained there during the hostilities.

The castle spreads itself over an elevated plot of land and has numerous large courtyards and a large central turret like building called the "Round Tower" which is one of the structure’s oldest monuments..

Links relating to London and its castles and palaces

Within the castle there are state rooms, wings, apartments and cloisters and some of these take their name form the monarch behind their building or refurbishment. There is also a large chapel, St. George’s chapel.

The castle has numerous towers and fortified walls, but the best known of the towers are "the Round", "the Curfew" and "the Edward III" towers.

Geometrically the castle is elongated with the tall "Round Tower" occupying a central location within the building’s curtliage. The two long horizontal sections either side of this tower are known as the "Upper" and "Lower" wards. These wards comprise most of the buildings structure and the castle’s useable rooms.

Notable influences on the castle’s appearance and use came from King George IV, who expended enormous sums of money on developing and expanding the castle and Queen Victoria, who made the castle her primary residence following many decades of royal absence.

Queen Elizabeth II still spends significant amounts of time, especially weekends, at the castle and despite a near disastrous fire in 1992 the castle is now fully restored to its former glory.

Opening times for Windsor Castle vary depending on the time of year and there are also a number of restrictions relating to bags and personal possessions which visitors should make themselves aware of prior to a visit (these vary depending on the levels of security and perceived terrorist threat).

Admission is about thirteen pounds and fifty pence per adult.