WITH it’s towering turrets, plush stately rooms and spectacular grounds, Windsor Castle is quite literally a home fit for a King.
The impressive castle is the oldest and largest occupied fort in the world and has been the royal residence of 40 monarchs.
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Everything to know about Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle was built by William the Conqueror.
He started building it in 1070 and it took 16 years to complete.
Over the years it has been the official residence of 40 monarchs and their families.
William the Conqueror chose to build the castle in that location because of its view of the Thames, as well as its closeness to the Saxton hunting ground.
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Henry I was the first monarch to use Windsor Castle as his home in 1110.
His grandson Henry II liked the castle so much that he renovated it to make it sturdier.
The Queen was brought up at Windsor Castle along with her sister, Princess Margaret.
The fortress has 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms.
In 1992, a devastating fire broke out at Windsor Castle.
The terrible incident destroyed 115 rooms and took five years to restore.
The cause of the fire was a faulty spotlight in Queen Victoria’s Private Chapel that set alight to a curtain next to the altar.
The fire then spread around the historic castle, including into St George’s Hall next door.
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When is Windsor Castle open?
Windsor Castle is open to public visitors every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
St George’s Chapel is not open to visitors on Sunday as it is only open to worship.
You can book tickets to visit the Castle via their official website.
Although Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, it sometimes needs to be closed at short notice.
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Where is Windsor Castle and how can I get there?
The historical building is located in Windsor with the full address being Castle Hill, Windsor, SL4 1PD.
The fastest way to travel there is to take the train from London Paddington Station to Windsor Central Station.
Another option is to take the coach, with the Green Line No. 702 running a regular daily service from Victoria Coach Station.
If you’re driving, tourists are asked to be aware that there is no parking at the castle itself.
Visitors must leave their car at one of the Windsor town centre car parks instead.
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How much does it cost to get into Windsor Castle?
The cost of visiting the famous fortress varies depending on if you book in advance or turn up on the day.
Here is a list of prices:
- Adult (in advance) £30.00 per ticket.
- Adult (on the day, subject to availability) £33.00 per ticket.
- Young Person 18-24 (in advance) £19.50 per ticket.
- Young Person 18-24 (on the day, subject to availability) £21.50 per ticket.
- Children aged 5 to 7 – £16.50 per ticket.
- All children under five go free.
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Who lives in Windsor Castle?
Windsor Castle is home to around 150 people and was the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II before the monarch’s sad death in 2022.
After this, the ownership of fortress was passed on to King Charles, although he does not live there.
As long as he is the Sovereign, he will be the rightful owner of the Windsor Estate.
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The Queen lived at Windsor Castle for much of her reign.
Buckingham Palace was her primary but she typically resided in Windsor Castle on the weekends.
After Prince Phillip passed away in 2021, the Queen announced that she would be moving to Windsor Castle as her more permanent home.
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