England - September 2018 - Windsor Castle
|
|
On our last day in England, we checked out of the B&B in Oxford and drove over to Windor Castle, about an hour drive. We parked in the town alongside the Thames River, then walked up the hill to the castle. They clearly get a lot of tourists here, but we arrived a few minutes before it opened and had no wait. Security was thorough and tight. The entrance fee covered the audioguide device.
|
| |
 |
|
Windsor Castle is the primary residence of Her Majesty the Queen. In fact, it has been the official home of the Royals for 900 years.
The major components of this big Castle are the State Apartments, the Queen's Private Apartments, the Round Tower and St. George's Chapel, plus upper, middle and lower wards (courtyards).
|
| |
 |
|
| Walking up the hill towards the State Apartments. The castle was so big, it was impossible to get any good pictures overall. |
| |
 |
|
|
Photography was not allowed inside the State Apartments or the Chapel.
I really enjoyed touring the State Apartments. They were most impressive. The first few rooms were decorated with exotic items from all over the world, brought home by British troops, plus brilliantly shined armored suits and swords, brightly colored flags, portraits. I saw the actual bullet that killed Admiral Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar in a display case. The highlight was St. George's Hall, site of the most elaborate royal banquets.
|
| |
 |
|
|
A picture off the internet of the St. George's Hall with a State Dinner in progress. Pretty impressive! One for the bucket list, right?
|
| |
|
|
|
A good look at The Round Tower which was built by Edward III as an homage to the Camelot Round Table.
|
| |
 |
|
|
Looking across the upper ward at the Queen's Private Apartments.
|
| |
 |
|
|
Inside the Castle grounds, walking down the hill through the middle ward with the town in the distance and St. George's Chapel on the right.
|
| |
 |
|
| The side of St. George's Chapel. |
| |
 |
|
|
The entrance to St. George's Chapel.
Of course, Prince Harry and Meghan Markel were married here on May 19, 2018. I was visiting with my Mom and we watched the entire thing on TV. So it was kind of neat to actually see it. It is very colorful inside with banners and flags hanging all about.
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
 |
|
|
The Castle walls and Curfew Tower (far left) facing the town. Yep, it's a castle, all right.
|
| |
 |
|
| Yay, Windsor Castle! |
| |
 |
|
| An aerial view from the internet with Lower Ward and St. George's Chapel on the left side, and the Upper Ward with State and Queen's Apartments on the right side. |
| |
 |
|
| The Royal family doesn't have to worry about driving the crowded streets of Windsor town, or parking. They have this private road leading right to the castle! We would see it from the air in a few hours. |
| |
 |
|
| The Thames River which flows down to London. |
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|