A secondary royal residence
Built in 1070 by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle sits about 25 miles west of London. During World War II, Queen Elizabeth II sought refuge here with her family. Today, it remains a popular destination while continuing to serve as a secondary residence for the British monarch.
The toll of a devastating fire
In 1992, Windsor Castle was struck by a severe fire. More than 115 rooms, including 9 State Apartments, were damaged. The blaze was traced to a faulty spotlight that ignited a curtain in the private chapel of Queen Victoria. Most of the artwork was rescued, and the Royal Library was spared. The renovation was funded by the government despite significant public debate. Consequently, Queen Elizabeth II decided to open Buckingham Palace more widely to the public and raised ticket prices for the Windsor Castle grounds to help cover costs.
The largest castle in the world
The castle grounds span over 13 acres, with an additional 32 acres of parks and gardens. Inside, there are no fewer than 1,000 rooms, ranging from State Apartments and reception halls to staff quarters.
You can tour the State Apartments, which serve as the monarch's formal rooms. These spaces are used to host heads of state and visiting royalty from around the world. They also serve as the setting for investitures and other official ceremonies.
- The Grand Reception Room is the castle ballroom. Its decor is opulent, featuring numerous French antiques, as King George IV was a dedicated collector of French art.
- The Waterloo Chamber displays portraits of the primary figures who secured victory against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
- The rooms of King Charles II and Queen Catherine of Braganza consist of a sequence of chambers ranging from large to small, housing an extensive art collection that includes works by Rubens and Van Dyck.
The Semi-State Rooms were originally the private apartments of King George IV and are now used for official royal events. They feature exceptional furnishings and objects brought from Carlton House, the former London residence of King George IV. The Crimson Drawing Room displays portraits of various English monarchs.
St. George's Chapel
Located within the castle walls, this Gothic chapel dates back to the 15th century. It serves as the burial site for 10 monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I, George V, and George VI. The chapel has also hosted many royal weddings, including the recent ceremony for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Opening hours
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Windsor Castle is really impressive, both from the outside and the inside. It is honestly huge. Inside, you can visit a ton of well-decorated rooms. If you look at everything in detail, you will spend several hours there.