Windsor Castle, overlooking the Berkshire town of Windsor, is one of the official homes of Queen Elizabeth II and is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. It was constructed under William the Conqueror (c. 1028-1087) as a means of guarding the western approaches to London, due to its position high above the River Thames on the edge of a Saxon hunting ground. Since then, it has been continuously inhabited by Britain’s monarchs who have created both an impressive fortress and a regal residence. The castle was painstakingly restored after fire swept through more than 100 rooms and St George’s Chapel in 1992. Visitors can now once again enter many parts of the castle. One of the highlights is St George’s Chapel which was founded in 1475 by King Edward IV and completed by King Henry VIII. It is one of the best examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in Britain, and contains the remains of numerous British sovereigns, including King Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Charles I and George V. 200 hectares (500 acres) of Home Park surround the castle. A popular place to go walking is in the sweeping 700-hectare (1800-acre) expanse of Windsor Great Park, which can be accessed by the Long Walk, a broad path lined with elm trees planted under the instructions of King Charles II in 1685.
Air: London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport. Rail: Train: Windsor Central Station (from London Paddington); Windsor & Eton Riverside Station (from London Waterloo). Road:Bus: Public services.

The Visitor Office, Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7766 7304
Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk

United Kingdom