24 Hours in Windsor, UK

My daughter and I arrived in Windsor and drove straight to our hotel, the lovely Castle Hotel Windsor. The hotel is in a perfect location for anyone visiting Windsor. The Castle Hotel Windsor is also one of the oldest acting working hotels in England. What made the hotel stay amazing for us wasn’t the history, although it added to the overall experience. The comfortable beds, friendly staff, and location made our 24 hours in Windsor an amazing experience.

Windsor’s long history began over a thousand years ago, when Paleolithic people and Saxon kings ruled the land. During the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), a royal settlement existed in Old Windsor and a defended royal manor.

When William the Conqueror took the throne in 1066, he built a defensive fort overlooking the River Thames. A hill guarding the western approach to London was deemed highly important. Construction of what would eventually become Windsor Castle began in 1070.

Building a castle brought jobs to the area. Craftsmen, soldiers, servants, barkeep, and cooks settled near the castle, creating a small village they called “New Windsor.” In the years that followed, the village expanded under the nose of the castle.

In the 12th century, the castle’s wooden structure was replaced by stone during the reigns of Henry I and Henry II. The Magna Carter was signed a few miles away in 1215 by King John. During the Middle Ages, monarchs chose Windsor as their home, and during the 1300s, a more Gothic look was added to the castle.

During the Turdor reign, Windsor was a retreat for the royals. Henry VIII hunted in the forest nearby and is buried in St. George’s Chapel along with his favorite wife, Jane Seymour. When plagues ravaged London, Queen Elizabeth I escaped the disease by living inside the castle. During the Victorian times, Queen Victoria chose Windsor Castle as her primary home and the central piece of the British monarchy.

There is more to Windsor than the castle. The town itself has fantastic pubs and restaurants. The castle will bring the tourists in, but the joy from the townspeople will stay with you.

Shortly after we dropped our belongings off at the hotel, my daughter and I made our way to the River Thames, where we boarded a tour boat by The Boat Hire Company. We cruised along the winding River Thames and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the town. After rushing here and there, a relaxing boat ride was just what we needed. My daughter and I kicked back and took it all in.

After our tour was over, we walked back to our hotel for dinner. We ate at the hotel’s restaurant, Leaf. Our food was delicious and filled our bellies. But we weren’t done eating yet. After dinner, we walked back to the River Thames, where we bought some gelato and leisurely walked along the bank. We bought some food for the swans, geese, and ducks that flocked in our direction.

Once we finished feeding the swans, we continued our walk through the town. We marveled at the old architecture and couldn’t resist stopping by the Shambles Bar, which looks like it could crumble at any moment. We also visited shops and bakeries before we went to bed.

In the morning, we ate breakfast at the Leaf and said goodbye to the lovely Castle Hotel Windsor. It was time to visit Windsor Castle, which, like most tourists, was the reason we were there.

Since we had already bought tickets, getting inside the castle was smooth. I was impressed by the kindness of the employees as we followed the lines to get inside. Once we walked in, I was immediately struck by the historical site before me.

We walked straight to the Queen Mary Dollhouse, which my daughter was looking forward to seeing. The line was already long, but hastened. We weren’t allowed to take photos inside the castle, which gave us the opportunity to appreciate the details of the dollhouse. The dollhouse is incredibly detailed and is a miniature version of the castle, with a 1:12 ratio (inches to feet).

From there, we enjoyed the beautiful weather we were blessed with that day and walked around the castle. My daughter fell in love with a cat that seemed to hate everyone but her. We watched as the cat scratched and hissed at people, as it wanted to relax in the sun. However, my daughter freely stroked the cat’s back and ears without warning.

After loving on the cat, we went inside St. George’s Chapel, where we visited the final resting places of Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, and Queen Elizabeth II. Visitors may not take photos inside the chapel, so I could only take exterior shots.

The current St. George’s Chapel was built in 1475 under King Edward IV. The choir and east end were finished in 1483. The main portions of the chapel and nave were completed by 1496. Henry VIII put the final touches on the chapel together in 1528. The chapel is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, Great Britain’s oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry. Over the years, the chapel has hosted weddings, burials, and state ceremonies.

After walking through the chapel, it was time for us to be on our way. We had spent 24 hours in the lovely town of Windsor and wished we had another day to spend. We had other towns to visit, though, and needed to head to our next destination.

Like most people living outside the United Kingdom, Windsor almost seemed like a mythical place. With such a rich history surrounding the lives of kings and queens, I looked at it as though it was something only found in fairy tales. Walking through the castle and the town made it personal.

To those thinking about visiting Windsor Castle, go for the history, but the charm of the town and its people will be as equally memorable as the royal home.