Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is a royal residence in Windsor, England, that rises on a hill above the Thames and spreads across 5 hectares with massive stone walls, medieval towers, and extensive residential areas. The upper and lower wards enclose various building wings, including the State Apartments with ornate interiors and art collections, as well as separate living quarters for the royal family.

William I began construction in 1070 as a wooden fortress to secure the western approach to London, and Henry II transformed it in the twelfth century into a stone fortification with a round tower. Edward III carried out extensive renovations in the fourteenth century and founded Saint George's Chapel, while George IV commissioned major Gothic revival redesigns in the nineteenth century.

The compound continues to function as a working royal residence where official state ceremonies and private family gatherings take place throughout the year. Saint George's Chapel hosts the annual service of the Order of the Garter, during which members wear their ceremonial robes and insignia.

The site opens Thursday through Monday with hours that vary by season, and occasional closures occur during official events. Trains from London's Paddington or Waterloo stations reach Windsor in under an hour, and wheelchair users can visit large portions of the grounds.

The Semi-State Apartments preserve furniture and artwork from the estate of Napoleon III, who lived here during his exile in England. The Royal Library houses one of the world's most significant collections of Leonardo da Vinci drawings.

Location: Windsor and Maidenhead

Inception: 1070

Architects: Hugh May

Architectural style: Perpendicular Gothic

Accessibility: Ograniczony dostęp dla wózków inwalidzkich

Fee: Yes

Part of: Royal Collection

Address: Windsor SL4 1NJ

Opening Hours: listopada 01-lutego 29 Czwartek-Poniedziałek 10:00-15:00; marca 01-października 31 Czwartek-Poniedziałek 10:00-16:00

Website: https://rct.uk/visit/windsorcastle

GPS coordinates: 51.48380,-0.60483

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:32