You’ve probably seen the postcards. That massive, grey stone fortress perched on a hill, looking exactly like the dictionary definition of a castle. It’s huge. Honestly, the scale of Windsor Castle is one of those things that a camera just can’t quite capture. It’s not just a museum or a relic of some bygone era; it is a living, breathing house that has been occupied for nearly a thousand years.
It's the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Think about that for a second. While most ancient buildings are crumbling ruins or sterile galleries, this place still has people living in it, working in it, and—believe it or not—cooking dinner in a kitchen that has been running since the 1300s.
The Fortress That Became a Home
William the Conqueror started this whole thing back in 1070. He didn't build it to be pretty. He built it to be scary. It was part of a ring of fortifications around London, meant to keep the locals in line and the invaders out. Back then, it was just wood and earth.
Henry II was the one who got serious with stone. He basically turned it into a palace. Then came Edward III, who went a bit nuts with the spending. He wanted a palace that looked like something out of an Arthurian legend. He succeeded. Since then, roughly 40 monarchs have called this place home. Each one of them moved the furniture around or added a wing, creating a weird, beautiful mishmash of architectural styles.
The Fire and the Massive Rebuild
Most people remember the 1992 fire. It was devastating. A spotlight in the Private Chapel got too hot, a curtain caught fire, and 15 hours later, much of the Upper Ward was a smoking ruin. It was a mess.
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But here’s the thing—the restoration was incredible. They didn't just patch it up. They spent £67 million making it look like the fire never happened, or in some cases, even better than before. St George’s Hall now has this spectacular new hammerbeam roof made of sustainable English oak. It looks ancient, but it’s actually younger than some people reading this.
Inside the State Apartments
Walking into the State Apartments is kinda overwhelming. It’s like walking into a giant treasure chest. You've got the Waterloo Chamber, which was built specifically to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon. The walls are covered in portraits of the generals and diplomats who took him down.
Then there are the Semi-State rooms. These were the private apartments of George IV. They are incredibly flashy. Gold leaf everywhere. Deep crimsons. Elaborate carvings by Grinling Gibbons that look so real you’d think the wooden fruit was edible.
The Horologist and the Fendersmith
There are some jobs at Windsor Castle Great Britain that sound like they belong in a Dickens novel. Take the fendersmith. There are 300 fireplaces in the castle. One man is responsible for cleaning and lighting every single one of them. He’s been doing it for decades.
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Then there’s the horologist. There are nearly 400 clocks on the estate. When the time changes in the spring and autumn, it’s not as simple as clicking a button. It takes the horologist about 16 hours to move them all forward. Moving them back? That’s worse. He often has to wind them forward 11 or 23 hours because the mechanisms are too fragile to be wound backward.
St George’s Chapel: More Than Just a Church
You cannot go to Windsor and skip the chapel. It is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. The stone fan vaulting on the ceiling is basically gravity-defying.
It’s also a massive royal tomb. You’ll find Henry VIII here, buried under a simple stone in the floor next to Jane Seymour. It’s surprisingly understated for a guy who had such a big personality. More recently, it became the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. They lie in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, a small, quiet corner compared to the grander vaults.
- Changing of the Guard: It happens at 11:00 AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Don't expect to just walk up and see it; you need to be inside the castle walls (with a ticket) or standing on the High Street to see them march by.
- The Long Walk: This is a 2.6-mile straight line of grass and trees leading from the castle gates. It’s spectacular. If you want that "Instagram shot" of the castle, this is where you go.
- The Kitchen Clocks: Fun fact—the clocks in the Great Kitchen are always set five minutes fast. Why? To make sure the King’s food is never late.
What You Should Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip in 2026, keep in mind that this is still a working palace. The King actually stays here most weekends. If you see the Royal Standard (the colorful flag) flying from the Round Tower, he’s in. If it’s the Union Jack, he’s out.
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Tickets are not cheap, and they sell out. You have to book in advance. Honestly, don't even try to show up on the day and buy them at the gate. You’ll just end up standing in a very long line only to be told it's full.
Plan to spend at least three hours here. If you want to see everything—the Dolls' House, the State Apartments, the Chapel, and the grounds—you’ll need the time. The Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is a trip. It has running water, electricity, and a wine cellar filled with real wine in tiny bottles. The level of detail is frankly a bit insane.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Book the first slot of the day. 10:00 AM. It gets crowded by noon, and the groups start to feel like a sardine can.
- Check the chapel schedule. St George’s is usually closed to visitors on Sundays because of services. If you want to see the royal tombs, don't go on a Sunday.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You are going to be walking on old, uneven cobblestones. This is not the place for heels or flip-flops.
- Security is like the airport. Be prepared for bag checks and metal detectors. Don't bring big luggage; there's nowhere to leave it.
- Walk the town too. Windsor itself is charming. Cross the bridge into Eton and walk past the famous college. It’s a totally different vibe from the castle but just as historic.
Windsor is a lot to take in. It’s a fortress, a home, a tomb, and a gallery all wrapped into one. It’s the kind of place that reminds you just how long "a long time" actually is. You can feel the weight of the centuries in the cold stone and the creak of the floorboards.