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 Windsor Castle, Windsor, Co. Berkshire
As the oldest inhabited Royal residence in Britain and one much favoured by the Queen , Windsor Castle is steeped in the history of the British Monarchy.
The largest castle in England , Windsor is also the largest inhabited stronghold in the World. Many British Kings and Queens have favoured Windsor Castle throughout its 900-year history. King George V liked it so much that he changed his surname from the German Saxe-Coburg to Windsor in 1917 and Queen Elizabeth II is the current ruler of the House of Windsor.
William the Conqueror built the original motte and bailey castle in around 1080 to protect the westward routes of the Thames Valley into London . Since 1110 it became a royal residence firstly of Henry I and its architecture illustrates the differing tastes and fashions of its many illustrious royal owners, though the bulk of the work is credited to Henry II, Edward III and George IV .
Henry II began the upper and lower wards of the castle and built the stone Keep in 1170. This Round Tower now houses the Royal Archives and is where the Royal Standard flies when the Queen is in residence. Charles II had the State Apartments flamboyantly renovated after the Restoration, these were added to in the Georgian era and later the Grand Staircase was built for Queen Victoria in 1866 and today they house a great many priceless Royal treasures and heirlooms.
 Windsor Castle
The overall architectural masterpiece of Windsor Castle is St George’s Chapel. A fabulous example of Perpendicular architecture, built between 1475 and 1528, this is a gloriously ornate chapel, notable for its fan vaulting, fabulous oriels and stalls, decorated with banners and crests dedicated to the highest order of chivalry in Britain and the oldest order to survive in the world, the Order of the Garter, established by Edward III in 1348. The royal mausoleum at St George’s Chapel contains the tombs of ten monarchs of England.
Today Windsor Castle is the favoured royal retreat of The Queen and some areas are open to visitors throughout the year when the Queen is not in residence.
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