Windsor Castle

by – Clarie Hanney, Tour Manager, Europe

Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest ‘working’ castle in the world and is the official and favourite residence of The Queen of England. The Castle has seen over 900 years of British history. as the palace is also home to a magnificent chapel and beautifully landscaped grounds.

The opulent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Gainsborough and the very famous triple portrait of Charles I by Sir Anthony van Dyck.

From October to March visitors can also visit George IV’s private apartments. These are Semi-State Rooms still used in official functions by The Queen and some of the most richly decorated rooms in the Castle.

St George’s Chapel is a must see and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere in England and houses the tombs of ten Kings and Queens of England as well as many other Royals. It is now the main burial place for the English Royal family now that the old official site of Westminster Abbey in London is now full. The most notable of all the tombs is probably that of Henry VIII along with his third wife Jane Seymour.

Other pieces the Castle is famous for is the Drawings Gallery containing drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and Queen Mary’s Dollhouses – the most famous doll houses in the world.

As Windsor Castle is still an official and very much a working residence of The Queen, some parts of the Castle can be closed because of the movements and activities of the Royal entourage.

Most Contiki Tours through Great Britain will visit Windsor Castle when traveling from London to Oxford.