Windsor Castle is the largest continuously inhabited castle in the world and the oldest active royal residence in Europe. It is located in the town of Windsor, about 32 kilometers west of London, on the southern bank of the Thames. For almost a thousand years, the castle has served as the home of British monarchs: 40 kings and queens have lived and ruled here, beginning with William the Conqueror.
Today, Windsor remains the official residence of King Charles III, who uses it both for private life and for state ceremonies. It is not just a museum, but a living place where history continues right now.
History of Windsor Castle: From a Military Fortress to a Royal Palace
Windsor Castle was founded around 1070 by William the Conqueror as part of a chain of fortifications around London, protecting the western approaches to the capital. The choice of site was due to its advantageous strategic position on a hill above the Thames and its proximity to the royal hunting forest — an ideal combination for a fortress and a residence. Initially, the walls were made of wood, but already at the end of the 12th century, Henry II began replacing them with stone and rebuilt the Norman fortification into the Round Tower. In 1170, the tower received a stone base, and the entire outer perimeter was renewed over the following sixty years.
The true transformation of Windsor from a military fortress into a Gothic palace occurred under Edward III. From the 1350s until his death in 1377, he spent 50,000 pounds sterling on the reconstruction — more than any other medieval English king on a single building. Edward created a large palace that combined official and private chambers for the king and Queen Philippa of Hainault. In the 16th century, Henry VIII added the gate bearing his name and a wooden terrace for watching hunts.
Charles II, who returned to the throne in 1660, modernized the royal apartments, turning them into the most luxurious Baroque halls in England of that time. George III at the end of the 18th century gave some halls a neoclassical appearance, and George IV in the 1820s hired the architect Jeffry Wyatville for the Gothic transformation of the castle: he raised the Round Tower, clad the façades in massive stone, and added towers and battlements, creating the very recognizable appearance that we see today.
Main Sights of Windsor Castle
State Apartments
This is the heart of the castle and the main goal of most visitors. The ceremonial halls are decorated with priceless works of art: here you can see works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Leonardo da Vinci. Particular attention deserves the Waterloo Chamber, whose walls are covered with portraits of monarchs and military leaders who participated in the defeat of Napoleon. It was here in 2018 that the wedding dinner of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place. The St. George`s Hall with a ceiling decorated with the coats of arms of the Knights of the Order of the Garter also makes a strong impression. It is important to remember: photographing inside the State Apartments is strictly prohibited.
Queen Mary`s Dolls` House
One of the most unexpected and delightful exhibits of the castle. It is a miniature palace at a scale of 1:12, created in the 1920s for Queen Mary. Inside there are working elevators, plumbing with real water, electric lighting, and even tiny bottles of wine in the cellar. The library is filled with miniature books written by famous authors of that time specifically for this house. It is a triumph of miniature craftsmanship and at the same time a fascinating immersion in history.
St. George`s Chapel
A Gothic masterpiece located in the Lower Ward of the castle. The chapel is famous for its fan vault, which does not require supporting columns — the ceiling is held solely by the geometry of the stone. This is the burial place of eleven monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip. Many royal weddings have also taken place here, including the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The chapel is closed to tourists on Sundays, as services are held here on that day.
The Round Tower and the Changing of the Guard
The Round Tower (which is actually elliptical) is the visual symbol of Windsor. From its top, which can be climbed as part of special tours, a panoramic view of the castle and the Thames Valley opens up. Pay attention to the flag: if the Royal Standard is flying, it means the king is in the castle; if the Union Jack — the monarch is absent.
The Changing of the Guard is one of the most striking spectacles. The ceremony usually takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11:00 (the schedule changes, and it may be cancelled in rainy weather). Guards in red uniforms and black bearskin hats march together with a military band.
The Long Walk
After visiting the castle, be sure to stroll along the Long Walk — a straight, tree-lined road about 4 kilometers long that leads from the castle to the statue of George III (Copper Horse). From here opens the best view of the castle: a classic shot that you must take.
Architecture of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is not a single building, but a whole complex formed over almost a thousand years. Its architecture represents a layering of eras: the Norman core, Gothic reconstructions, Baroque interiors, and Victorian restoration. It is this combination that makes Windsor unique — here you can trace how the tastes and needs of British monarchs changed from the 11th to the 21st century.
In plan, the castle is divided into three parts: the Lower Ward, the Middle Ward, and the Upper Ward. The Upper Ward is surrounded by the private royal chambers and the State Apartments; tourists are admitted here only at certain hours.
The Middle Ward is occupied by the Round Tower, standing on an artificial hill. The Lower Ward includes St. George`s Chapel and the Horseshoe — a complex of buildings constructed for the clergy of the Order of the Garter. Around the entire complex runs a massive stone wall with towers and battlements, and on the northern side — a terrace with a view of the Thames.
The main architectural appearance of Windsor is Gothic, but not medieval — rather the "romanticized" Gothic of the 19th century. In the 1820s, George IV commissioned the architect Jeffry Wyatville to rebuild the castle in the spirit of the Gothic Revival: he raised the Round Tower by several meters, clad the façades in light stone, and added towers, spires, and battlements. It was then that Windsor acquired the fairy-tale, almost theatrical silhouette that we see today. Before that, the castle looked more austere and simpler — closer to a military fortress than to a palace.
The interior decoration is heterogeneous. The State Apartments, rebuilt by Charles II in the 17th century, retain a Baroque character: high ceilings, gilded stucco, carved panels, tapestries, and huge chandeliers. The halls updated by George IV already bear the imprint of Neo-Gothic and Neoclassicism — with elements of decorative luxury characteristic of the early 19th century. And after the fire of 1992, which destroyed part of the Upper Ward, restorers restored the interiors, combining historical accuracy with modern technology.
A special place in the architecture of the castle is occupied by St. George`s Chapel — one of the best examples of English late Gothic. Its main feature is the fan vault, in which the stone ribs radiate from the supports like petals, creating an illusion of lightness and hovering. The chapel was built in 1475–1528 and is considered one of the most perfect architectural solutions of its time.
Practical Information
Address: Windsor SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom.
Getting there: from London, the most convenient way is by train. From London Paddington station to Windsor & Eton Central station (with a change at Slough, about 30–40 minutes) or from London Waterloo station to Windsor & Eton Riverside station (direct train, about 50 minutes). From the station to the castle — 5–10 minutes on foot.
Opening hours: the castle is open from Thursday to Monday. From March to October — from 10:00 to 17:15 (last entry at 16:00). From November to February — from 10:00 to 16:15 (last entry at 15:00). Tuesday and Wednesday are days off. St. George`s Chapel is closed on Sundays. The castle may be closed on days of royal events — check the schedule in advance.
Tickets: adult ticket — about £32 when booking online and £36 at the ticket office. Students and youth aged 18–24 — about £20, children 5–17 — about £15.50. Children under 5 — free. The price includes an audio guide in several languages, including Russian. It is strongly recommended to buy tickets online in advance — it is cheaper and saves you from queues.
Tips: allow 3–4 hours for the visit. Wear comfortable shoes — you will have to walk a lot. Photographing inside the State Apartments is prohibited. If you want to see the Changing of the Guard, come to the main gates by 10:30. Arrive at opening or after 14:00 to avoid the biggest crowds.
Windsor Castle is a rare case where the residence of a monarch has remained active for almost a thousand years. Here history is not just preserved — it is continued: state receptions are held in the halls, services are held in the chapel, and a flag rises above the Round Tower, meaning that the king is present. If you are lucky enough to catch the Changing of the Guard — consider that you have seen Windsor as it was conceived: a fortress, a palace, and a home at the same time.
