Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. When my daughter and I arrived in Windsor for a tour of the city and the castle, I was amazed at how large the castle is. Stepping into the royal home invokes many awestruck feelings, but the beauty and size of the castle leave a lasting impression.
Over 40 monarchs have called the castle home, and the castle’s walls are dripping with stories. If only walls could talk, was a constant voice that echoed in my head. The castle has been home to many of the world’s most famous heroes and villains and will continue to house the UK’s kings and queens.
The story of Windsor Castle began in 1066, when William the Conqueror designed a series of fortifications to secure his royal claim. It was decided upon that the castle would overlook the River Thames, for a quick retreat. Windsor was also chosen as the home for the lush forests and wildlife for hunting.
The first structure was built in a wooden motte-and-bailey style, meaning a castle was built upon a raised mound of earth, with a courtyard and a wooden keep. High walls were built overlooking the Thames to make sure nobody was encroaching from the west. The structure stayed the same until the 12th century, when Henry II replaced the wooden walls with stone and added a round tower. In the 14th century, Edward III transitioned the castle into a royal palace and established the Order of the Garter inside St. George’s Chapel, which continues to this day.
The castle has also seen its fair share of excitement. During the English Civil War, the castle was seized by Parliamentary forces and used as a base and prison. King Charles I was imprisoned inside Windsor Castle before he was taken to London and beheaded.
Queen Victoria chose Windsor as her principal home during her reign, making it the focal point of the monarchy during the Victorian Era. A statue of the long-reigning queen greets visitors as they walk up to the castle. Her imprint on the castle made a lasting impact. During her time as queen, the State Department opened doors to the public.
St. George’s Chapel is the last resting place of some of the most famous members of the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, King Charles I, King George III, are just some names found etched in stone inside the chapel. Visitors may not take photos inside the chapel, which is unfortunate, because many of the tombs are quite elaborate. I couldn’t help but hum King George III’s songs from Hamilton as we walked by the King’s name on the floor.
My daughter and I arrived at the Henry VIII Gate on a hot and sunny day. Immediately upon walking through the gate, the massive scale of the castle provided our first sense of being awestruck. Before visiting the castle, I had not considered how many buildings made up the royal residence. The castle sits on 13 acres of land, so visiting the castle takes a whole day.
The history of England’s greatest monarchs blends with the current state of royal affairs. Guards are posted at various places, and the changing of the guard is always a crowd-pleaser.
Inside, visitors can walk through apartments, but photography is not permitted. My daughter loved seeing Queen Mary’s dollhouse but was perplexed as to why an adult woman would want to collect doll furniture. Crowds were immense on the day of our visit, and my daughter had to slide her way towards the glass to see the dollhouse.
I was asked what my thoughts on Windsor Castle were after visiting, and I said it was like walking through a living museum. Priceless artifacts and paintings line the residence, but it continues to be a home for the Royal Family and a place of worship.
The history of Windsor Castle fascinated me, but my daughter’s favorite thing about Windsor was the cat. While I watched the changing of the guard and took photos of the exterior, my daughter focused on the cat, who couldn’t care less about all the people visiting her home.
If you’re taking a kid to Windsor, here are some tips:
- We picked up an activity book at the entrance, which helped my daughter enjoy the walks and buildings. In the book, there are scavenger hunts, puzzles, and fun facts.
- Keep in mind the massive scale of the castle. Give the little ones opportunities to rest their legs.
- A sweet treat goes a long way. There is a café with tea and snacks to help break up the day.
- Check to see when the changing of the guard takes place and have your kids ready to witness it. If you have a spare camera, give it to them and see what they find interesting during the change.
- St. George’s Chapel gets busy and crammed, so head there first at the beginning of the day.
- If you see the cat, approach cautiously. The cat loved my daughter, but shortly after she petted the friendly cat, the cat turned not-so-friendly, and she scratched and bit some people.
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– Arundel
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– Chawton
A Father and Daughter Visit Jane Austen’s England
– Hadrian’s Wall
Reliving the Dads4Kesem Hadrian’s Wall Hike
How an Ice Cream Truck Saved the Day During a Hike Across England
– London
Flying Down the River Thames on a Speedboat
Climbing the O2 Arena with My Son
A Speedboat Tour on the Thames is the Perfect Way to Start a London Vacation
Attending a Chelsea FC Match with My Son
Visiting Westminster Abbey
Visiting the Harry Potter Studios in London
Getting Lost on a Ghost Tour in London with My Son
Riding the Tootbus is a Great Way to See London’s Highlights
– Portsmouth
Escaping the Rain by Staying in the Lovely Queen’s Hotel
The Spinnaker Tower Looms Above Portsmouth Offering Beautiful Views of the Solent
– Stratford-upon-Avon
3-Day Itinerary for Visiting Shakespeare’s England
Walking in Shakespeare’s Footsteps: A Father/Son Story
Visiting Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: Where William Shakespeare’s Love Blossomed
Visiting Shakespeare’s Grave with My Son
Exploring Kenilworth Castle
Stepping Back in Time at Warwick Castle
– Whitchurch
Father and Daughter Weave Silk at the Whitchurch Silk Mill in Hampshire
– Winchester
Winchester England’s Culinary Delights
Winchester 878 AD Interactive Experience was a Highlight for my Daughter During Our Trip to Southeast England
Visiting King Arthur’s Round Table at the Great Hall in Winchester
Walking Through the Mary Rose and Touring the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Oh, I loved this article. Years ago I saw the changing of the guard but we didn’t see the inside of the castle. Since Queen Elizabeth died, I understood that King Charles and Camilla haven’t changed their residence to there, but it is still used for royal events, etc. I could be wrong. Shame they didn’t allow any inside photos.