Where: Windsor, England
When: June 28, 2003
With: FSU study abroad program
As I mentioned in my Cambridge post, I spent 4 weeks in the summer of 2003 studying abroad in London and loving every single minute of it (clearly, as I then moved to London eight years later). The program was fantastic about encouraging and organizing trips around England every Friday and Saturday. And that was how I got to see the namesake of the royal family, Windsor Castle.
The royal family has several homes among which they split their time, but this is the one that Queen Elizabeth II has said she loves the most. And she isn't alone in her sentiments. Most English monarchs chose to spend some of their time in residence here, all the way back to Henry I in the early 1100s. As such, Windsor is the oldest continually occupied castle in the world.
In fact, this is one of William the Conqueror's castles. Its original purpose was, as with most castles, as a fortress. Its location was chosen on the edge of the Thames on the outskirts of London to keep watch for invaders to the city after the Norman invasion. Over the years, many monarchs built their own additions, making it grander and grander with each update until we have the castle as it stands today.
A much shorter version of the Round Tower was originally built by Henry II in the 12th century, but the building was extended upwards in the 19th century. Based on its vantage point of the Thames and the valley below, it is clear why this is one of the oldest structures of the castle. It now houses the Royal Archives and the flag on top indicates if the Queen is in residence or not: Union Jack means she is not. It turned out we had just missed her as she is usually here in early June (as well as for a month in the spring).
When: June 28, 2003
With: FSU study abroad program
As I mentioned in my Cambridge post, I spent 4 weeks in the summer of 2003 studying abroad in London and loving every single minute of it (clearly, as I then moved to London eight years later). The program was fantastic about encouraging and organizing trips around England every Friday and Saturday. And that was how I got to see the namesake of the royal family, Windsor Castle.
The royal family has several homes among which they split their time, but this is the one that Queen Elizabeth II has said she loves the most. And she isn't alone in her sentiments. Most English monarchs chose to spend some of their time in residence here, all the way back to Henry I in the early 1100s. As such, Windsor is the oldest continually occupied castle in the world.
In fact, this is one of William the Conqueror's castles. Its original purpose was, as with most castles, as a fortress. Its location was chosen on the edge of the Thames on the outskirts of London to keep watch for invaders to the city after the Norman invasion. Over the years, many monarchs built their own additions, making it grander and grander with each update until we have the castle as it stands today.
For my trip to Windsor, FSU organized a morning excursion from London since it's less than an hour away. Once dropped off, we headed along the south side of the castle grounds on a road appropriately named Castle Hill. From here, we got our first vantage point of the walls and the famed Round Tower that sits in the center of the grounds.
A much shorter version of the Round Tower was originally built by Henry II in the 12th century, but the building was extended upwards in the 19th century. Based on its vantage point of the Thames and the valley below, it is clear why this is one of the oldest structures of the castle. It now houses the Royal Archives and the flag on top indicates if the Queen is in residence or not: Union Jack means she is not. It turned out we had just missed her as she is usually here in early June (as well as for a month in the spring).
We entered the castle grounds just southeast of the Round Tower at the Edward III tower and gate. Just beyond this is the Upper Ward.
From inside the grounds, we could see the base of the Round Tower. The castle was originally built in what is called a "motte-and-bailey" style. This means that earth is piled up to create a hill on which a high tower is placed at the top and surrounded by a protective courtyard and ditch. Now that pile of earth is home to a stunning garden that seems to tumble down from the tower in an unbelievably charming way.
Continuing around the bottom of the Round Tower, we reached the eastern part of the complex, the Upper Ward. This is where the royal apartments are and where Queen Elizabeth II spent the majority of her childhood. In fact, when the Germans were bombing London during World War II, this is where the future queen and her sister Margaret were sent for safe keeping.
A view of the gates that most definitely do not allow visitors in. However, some of the interior rooms are open to tourists, and the prize possession is the dollhouses of Queen Mary, grandmother of Queen Elizabeth.
The walls outside the Upper Ward with security very much keeping watch.
Since we couldn't loiter too long around the royal apartments, we headed back west towards what is called the Lower Ward. Here is where St. George's Chapel sits housing several famous tombs including Henry VIII and his most beloved wife, Jane Seymour.
It is here in the Lower Ward that the changing of the guard takes place.
After wandering the interior of the castle grounds, we spent some time walking around the exterior grounds. The stunning gardens and greenery are actually what struck me the most about this castle. They were more wild and unkempt than what I would have expected for a royal palace, but they gave such a pretty character to the place.
As the clouds cleared and the sun came out, it was time for us to hit the road back to London. This castle was absolutely charming and I can see why the Queen loves it. I'd love to return and explore it some more.
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