Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the home of the British Royal family and the most famous castle in the world. If the flag is flying the Queen is there; watch out for her walking her dogs in the grounds or spot other royals including Charles and Camilla, William and Kate who are all regular visitors.

All the most famous English monarchs have lived at Windsor Castle, from William the Conquerer to Quenn Elizabeth ll and still today over 500 people live and work in Windsor, making it the largest inhabited castle in the world.

Originally designed to protect Norman dominance around the outskirts of London, and to oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was built as a motte and bailey, with three wards surrounding a central mound. Gradually replaced with stone fortifications, the castle withstood a prolonged siege during the First Barons' War at the start of the 13th century. Henry III built a luxurious royal palace within the castle during the middle of the century, and Edward III went further, rebuilding the palace to produce an even grander set of buildings. Edward's core design lasted through the Tudor period, during which Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England made increasing use of the castle as a royal court and centre for diplomatic entertainment.

Windsor Castle survived a tumultuous period during the English Civil War, in which the castle was used as a military headquarters for Parliamentary forces and a prison for Charles I of England. During the Restoration, Charles II rebuilt much of Windsor Castle, creating a set of extravagant, Baroque interiors, still praised today. Queen Victoria made minor changes to the castle, which became the centre for royal entertainment for much of her reign. Windsor Castle was used as a refuge for the royal family during the bombing campaigns of the Second World War, survived a fire in 1992 and is still used by the Queen as her favourite weekend retreat.

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