Windsor Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Windsor (Topic)

Windsor Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Windsor. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Windsor Castle.

Photo and description

The main attraction of the small town of Windsor near London is undoubtedly Windsor Castle, the official residence of the British monarchs.

Ancient history, quirky architecture and magnificent interior the decoration attracts the attention of thousands of tourists and makes the castle a real British treasure.

History of Windsor Castle

The castle has an ancient and eventful history. The first fortifications at Windsor on the Thames were built by William the Conqueror immediately after his arrival in England. The first Norman kings preferred the palace in Old Windsor, a few kilometers from the modern castle. But from the beginning of the XII century, this particular castle became the royal residence - and this castle remained inhabited for the longest time in Europe. Since then, almost each of the English and British kings has completed and strengthened the castle. For quite a long time - until the middle of the 17th century - the castle performed defensive functions.

At the beginning of the 19th century, under King George IV, the revival of the castle begins. The luxurious court of George IV becomes cramped both in Carlton House and in the Brighton Pavilion, and the king turns his gaze to Windsor Castle. The castle reaches its true heyday under Queen Victoria, becoming a symbol of the British monarchy. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert make Windsor their permanent residence. The heads of many states come here on official visits. In the 20th century, the palace remains one of the main royal residences.

Residence of the royal family

During the First World War, anti-German sentiment intensifies in Great Britain, and George V changes the family name of the dynasty, while simultaneously renouncing all German titles. Instead of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the ruling British monarchy becomes Windsor, after the castle's name. The reigning Queen Elizabeth II is also very fond of Windsor Castle and spends a lot of time there.

Windsor Castle is a fairly complex complex of buildings, towers and walls. During its thousand-year history, it was rebuilt, expanded and strengthened many times. The center of the castle is the Round Tower, built on a mound built during the reign of William the Conqueror. On both sides of the tower are the so-called Upper and Lower Chambers. On the territory of the Upper Chambers there are premises for official receptions and residential royal apartments, and the famous Chapel of St. George is located on the territory of the Lower Chambers. Adjacent to the castle, Windsor Park is one of the oldest deciduous forests in Europe.

Points of Interest

• Location: Windsor, West Berkshire
• How to get there: by train from London from Waterloo and Paddington stations to Windsor and Eton stations Central "or" Windsor and Eton Riverside ". Buses # 700, 701, 702 from Buckingham Palace Road, # 77 from Heathrow Airport.
• Official website: www.windsor.gov.uk
• Opening hours: from March to October 09.45-17.15 (entrance until 16.00), from November to February 09.45-16.15 (entrance until 15.00). May be closed due to government admission.
• Tickets: adults - ? 14.8, children 5-17 years old - ? 8.5, family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) - ? 38.1, free for children under 5

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Topic: Windsor Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Windsor.