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Learn more about this historic site which will host this weekend's Coronation concert.
In celebration of King Charles III's Coronation, a special Coronation concert will be broadcast live from Windsor Castle on Sunday 7th May. With music icons including That That, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry confirmed to perform, it's set to be a memorable night celebrating the new monarch on the grounds of the historic royal residence.
Windsor Castle is located in the town of Windsor, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire. Windsor Castle is a Crown-owned estate, royal residence and tourist attraction right in the heart of Windsor's town centre, surrounded by the Great Windsor Park, which provides a scenic setting.
There's much to admire about the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Windsor Castle is open to the public (Thursday to Monday) where visitors can explore the history and its significance. Book tickets via the Royal Collection Trust or choose a sightseeing tourist package or experience day from The London Pass, Viator or Virgin Experience Days.
It's possible to do a royal residences sightseeing tour from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle in a day – Windsor Castle from London is around an hour's drive by car. If travelling by public transport, the easiest routes are via train – London Paddington Station to Windsor & Eton Central Station or London Waterloo Station to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station – both will get you to the Castle in under an hour.
Take a peek inside Windsor Castle and see what makes this royal household so impressive, from the breathtaking state banquet hall to the 13-acre grounds.
William the Conqueror chose the site for Windsor Castle in the 11th century – its easy access from the capital and proximity to a royal hunting forest made it an ideal location for a royal residence. He began building at Windsor around 1070, and 16 years later, the Castle was complete. Whilst William the Conqueror built the castle, he didn’t live in it, rather using it as a defensive base at the time. The Castle has been restructured by different kings and queens during their reigns.
Windsor Castle has been home to British Kings and Queens for almost 1,000 years. Some 40 monarchs have lived in the castle, and it is the oldest and largest working royal residence in the world. Windsor Castle will still be used regularly by King Charles for ceremonial and state occasions, including state visits from overseas monarchs and presidents. According to the Royal Collection Trust, over 150 staff live there today.
The grounds of Windsor Castle cover 13 acres, which is equivalent to 269 tennis courts! Just like Buckingham Palace, parts of Windsor Castle are open to the public where they can explore historical rooms that were built for Charles II and his Queen, Catherine of Braganza.
The Great Fire at Windsor started on 20th November 1992, and it took more than 200 firefighters 15 hours and 1.5 million gallons of water to put it out, according to the Royal Collection Trust. Parts of the Castle were destroyed, while others were severely damaged. The restoration project finished five years to the day after the outbreak of the fire, and on the 50th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
The Round Tower has been on the grounds of Windsor since the 1000s. However, during the reign of George IV, the Round Tower was raised by around 30ft to boost the Castle's skyline and fit with King George's Gothic style ideas.
Despite its name, The Round Tower of Windsor Castle is not actually round. Today, the tower features a square southern side where it was prepared following external damage.
The late Queen Elizabeth II used Windsor Castle both as a private home, where she usually spent the weekend, and as an official royal residence to undertake certain formal duties. During the covid-19 pandemic, the Queen and her husband Prince Phillip spent much of their time at Windsor Castle, and it later became the Queen's permanent base, following the death of Prince Philip in April 2021.
Pictured here, Queen Elizabeth II and her son, the then-Prince of Wales, posed with the first Jubilee tree in the grounds of Windsor Castle in March 2021. The tree was planted to launch The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), a UK-wide tree planting initiative to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The Queen's final resting place is now at The King George VI Memorial chapel, part of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
There are said to be more than 1,000 rooms at Windsor Castle. The Grand Reception Room was previously used as the main ballroom. After the severe damage of the fire, this ceremonial room (where the monarch hosts official visits) was painstakingly repaired to its former glory. Highlights include chandeliers, gilding, tapestries and a large malachite urn.
There's a reason why the Grand Reception Room is described as 'the most striking room' at Windsor Castle. The room is decorated in gold from floor to ceiling, making this room opulent in every sense of the word.
The Oak Room is a sitting room, within the late Queen Elizabeth II's private apartments, often used for intimate audiences. Previously known as the Gothic Breakfast Room, the Oak Room is decorated with heavy Gothic panelling and a gilt ceiling.
The Waterloo Chamber, (commissioned by George IV to celebrate the victory of the Allied forces at the Battle of Waterloo), is one of the largest – and busiest – rooms in Windsor Castle. It's open to the public for most of the year and is used today for Investitures (ceremonies where members of the public receive their honour from a member of the royal family) and other official events.
There are five cut-glass chandeliers that hang in the Waterloo Chamber – they were installed in 1862 and their design was approved by Prince Albert shortly before his death.
The Crimson Drawing Room is a Semi-State Room with spectacular views across the Berkshire countryside. It's open to visitors for part of the year, and for the festive season, the room is always decorated with a grand Christmas tree – although the tallest Christmas tree (a 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir taken from Windsor Great Park) is actually on display in the nearby St George's Hall.
The Crimson Drawing Room is defined by its rich, regal interior, from red curtains, carpet and upholstered furniture, to gilt walls and ceilings. The Crimson Drawing Room was meticulously restored after being devastated by the fire of 1992.
Windsor Castle is also home to St George's Chapel, which is used by the royal family as well as a church in the local community. Construction of the church began in 1475 by Edward IV and completed by Henry VIII in 1528. It's a beautiful example of Perpendicular style. Rich in history, it's the setting for many royal weddings, including the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018 (pictured) and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in October 2018.
St George’s Hall is the biggest room in the Castle at 55.5m long and 9m wide. It seats up to 162 for a State Banquet where the monarch hosts the visiting Head of State. The Hall was destroyed during the fire in 1992 – and its Restoration Committee, which was headed up by the Duke of Edinburgh, chose to redesign it in a modern gothic style. When the hall is not being used by the royal family or for state banquets, it can be visited by the public.
Due to the incredible size of St George's Hall, it takes eight to 10 people two days to lay the table for a banquet. According to the Royal Collection Trust, each guest is allocated a very specific 46cm on the table.
Pictured here in 2004, chief French polisher at Windsor Castle, Eddie Mills, stood on top of a wide 50ft dining table in the Waterloo Chamber, adding candles and a priceless silver-gilt dining plate commissioned by George IV to the table centrepiece. This is tablescaping, regal-style.
The oldest working kitchen in the country, Windsor Castle has served 33 monarchs, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. It also served guests at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. The whisk in the kitchen is said to hold up to 250 eggs at one time, while 18,000 bottles of wine are kept in the cellar.
Windsor Castle features stained glass windows that date back to approximately 1236, with the oldest thought to be a wedding gift from King Henry III to his wife Eleanor of Provence. After the Great Windsor Fire, many of the stained glass windows had to be replaced. The one pictured here was created with inspiration from Prince Phillip, depicting a staff member rescuing a painting while firemen battle the flames.
Windsor Castle, including the Great Park, has over 450 clocks. When BST begins, it takes the clock maker 16 hours to change the time on each clock. At the end of BST, it takes them 18 hours to re-adjust. What's more, the clocks in the royal kitchen are always five minutes fast to ensure the food is never served late.
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