Home to kings and queens
Great Britain has been ruled by kings and queens for 1,200 years, sometimes peacefully, and sometimes not. England, Scotland and Wales have thousands of castles built over the centuries to protect many different rulers. When visiting the UK, don’t miss a stop at one of the most iconic: Windsor Castle.
You’ll find this palace just west of the UK’s capital, London. It was built by the Normans in the 11th century, making the site over 1,000 years old. English King Henry I was the first to rule from Windsor Castle. It’s still a home for the current British monarch.
The castle’s foundations cover 10.5 acres, and it’s been continually lived in by rulers since the year 1100. This makes it the oldest and largest occupied castle in Europe! Fans of history, architecture and medieval culture will be enchanted by the castle’s range of features from different historical periods.
Discover the early-19th-century state apartments, decorated in a mesmerising late Georgian style. The 15th-century St George’s Chapel is an incredible example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. It’s still a working place of worship, and 11 monarchs are buried here, including Henry VIII, Charles I, and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Other activities you can experience at Windsor include a tour to the top of the round tower and watching the famous changing of the guard. There are several gift shops, as well as an Undercroft Café in the ancient crypt that was originally built by Edward III.
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