A day trip to Windsor

So here we are, just five days to go before the Wedding of the Year takes place in Windsor. As anyone that’s even remotely interested knows by now, Prince Harry of Wales will marry American actress Meghan Markle this coming Saturday at Saint George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Windsor is an easy day-trip from London since the capital is only 21 miles away. The town’s main attraction is Windsor Castle – a favourite weekend retreat of the Queen and other members of the royal family. I am positive that during this coming week the number of visitors will increase to record proportions as hundreds of people prepare to line the streets of the town to watch the procession that will take place after the wedding service. More details of the royal wedding here. But what of Windsor itself? What is there to see and do?

• WINDSOR CASTLE

Windsor Castle is described as “the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world” by the Royal Collection Trust. It was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and has been in use ever since. Windsor Castle has a very long and interesting history that you can read about here. The castle is open to the public but no photos of its interior are allowed. Photos of the grounds, however, are permissible so I am sharing some that I took during our visit in the summer of 2014. 

Windsor Castle isn’t just an important historical building. It is also a royal residence and has been used to receive foreign dignitaries and diplomats since the 16th century. The State Rooms, Semi-state Rooms, Waterloo Chamber and the Grand Reception Room are of particular interest. All the rooms are sumptuously decorated and paintings by masters such as Holbein, Van Dyck and Rubens hang on the walls.

Windsor Castle Opening times

	Opening time	Last admission	Closing time
1 November - 28 February	09:45	15:00	16:15
1 March - 31 October	09:30	16:00	17:15

The Admission Centre is busiest from opening until 11:30, so you may want to consider arriving after this time. The castle will be closed between 17-19 May.

• SAINT GEORGE’S CHAPEL

Work on the construction of the present chapel began in 1475 and it is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. The stone ceiling is particularly spectacular so don’t forget to look up if you are visiting the chapel. St George’s chapel is the final resting place of some famous (or in some cases infamous) monarchs like Henry VIII and his beloved third wife, Jane Seymour, King Charles I who was beheaded by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War and the present Queen’s parents: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the queen-mother – to mention just a few.

Daily closing time

Saint George’s Chapel closes at 16:00, although visitors are welcome to attend the evensong service at 17:15.

Sundays

Saint George’s Chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays as services are held throughout the day but worshippers are welcome to attend the services.

• WALKING AROUND WINDSOR

Touring the castle, chapel and castle grounds will take up the majority of a day but you should still have some time left to explore the nearby streets. Windsor is a colourful, pleasant little town. As is customary in England, flowers abound as do pubs and bunting. Most of the pubs serve traditional fare like fish, chips and mashed peas in old, timbered buildings with functional fireplaces that must make them feel very nice and cosy on those typically grey and drizzly English days.

Just a few hundred metres away from the castle entrance is the Windsor Royal Shopping Centre with around 40 high street shops, independent boutiques, restaurants and bars. An art and craft market is open every day of the week. Very conveniently, the shopping centre is connected to the Windsor and Eton Central railway station. Many features of the Victorian station remain including the cobbled stones, Jubilee Arch and Queen Victoria’s waiting room.

• GETTING TO WINDSOR FROM LONDON

There are two ways of getting to Windsor from London by train:

1. Great Western operates a service from Paddington station to Slough. At Slough change trains to catch the branch line service to Windsor and Eton Central. This journey can take between 25-50 minutes.

2. South Western Railway operates a direct service from Waterloo to Windsor and Eaton Riverside station. The journey from London takes about 55 minutes.

What you need to know if you’re going to Windsor for the Royal Wedding here. 

Windsor is worth a visit even after the royal wedding is over and I wold definitely recommend it to anyone who is visiting London and has a day to spare.

The royal standard fluttering above the Round Tower is a sure sign that the Queen was in residence on the day of our visit.

Location: WIndsor, England (July 2014)

All images ©Sincerely, Loree