This is the outside of the castle fronting onto the main through street in Windsor. I wouldn't like to guess how many times I have walked past this Norman wall. The Norman tower on the far left of this photo is the oldest part of the castle and I always walked past just gazing at it in wonder.
Once inside the outer wall the amazing architecture just keeps on coming, this is one of the main gates you walk through to reach the interior of the castle.
This is the entrance into the castle from the driveway through Windsor Great Park. Guests of the Queen enter this quadrangle on the right by either vehicle or carriage. They are then driven around it to the archway on the left, where they alight and enter the castle.
This is the Round Tower another of the most ancient parts of the castle. But this was totally gutted inside during the terrible fire in the 1990's. I was working opposite the castle at the time and saw the whole thing develop over 10 hours. It was so upsetting to see a great piece of our history go up in flames. I will never forget hearing sirens for hours as Fire Dept's from all over the area arrived to help. Later that night I returned with my then husband and we stood in the park surrounded by the worlds news crews, watching in horror. I even shed a few tears, as having worked in it's shadow for years I was very upset. Amazingly the restoration restored all the damaged parts to their former glory wonderfully. 
And finally, how do you know if the Queen is in residence. Well you look for this specific flag flying aloft, the Royal Standard. As I walked to lunch, I would always glance upwards to see if she was in town! 
Without any doubt this is one of the first places you MUST visit if you ever get to England. The Hubster was totally awe struck when I took him there for a day and I know he will never forget it. To join in the fun go to My World Tuesday
51 comments:
Ah! I love Windsor. I lived for 3 years just a few miles down the river at Runnymede and Windsor was where I did my shopping.
Even after moving into London I still visited Windsor often and have taken so many visitors to marvel at the Castle and I agree, it's a must. Nice to see it again.
Beautiful! I need to stop putting off my trip!
Just a brilliant tour around Windsor. Never been there but now I feel that I almost have.
What a great tour i have always wanted to see it up close. And the inside would be fab, have you ever been inside?
Oh, you've renewed all of my yearnings to visit England! I've lived in Europe and in Mexico and traveled all over the states and Canada, but never England and I have always wanted to see Windor Castle. This was a great visit! Thank you!
Absolutely. Exactly what an American wants England to be. We've been once and love loved it there.
Wonderful pictures Sarah !
You were so fortunate to work in such close proximity to the castle, and cast your eyes in it's direction every single day.
What fabulous memories....
Thanks for the tour !
Wowie!!Thanks for the virtual tour of the castle!I don't know if I'll ever get to see it personally.But its worth a visit.
Hi, I'm stopping by from SITS. The flag caught my eye! I'm a Brit living in Canada; have been for 4 years. But we're heading home in July; back to Hertfordshire. Loved your pics of Windsor - beautiful. If there's one thing I've REALLY missed about the UK it's the history. I'm heading off to Oxford as soon as we get back. Nice to meet you!
one of the places I really want to see. it's really imposing and beautiful. I do hope i could get there someday. Your post is really interesting.
Have glimpsed the Castle many times on my way to Heathrow airport. A wonderful sight. A
You didn't show us your private room!
Thanks for the happy memories! I lived in nearby Egham for a year and we often popped over to Windsor for a day or evening out.
I love castles! In fact, I love any ancient building that tells a story. I can't remember if I've been there or not, we traveled extensively in Europe when I was young but I was about four years old and didn't care as much for buildings as I do now! Here in Zinder, the only castle is to visit is the ancient sultan's palace, but that doesn't compare to Windsor!
A former boyfriend of mine ran a pub in Eton and I remember the first time I visited and hopped off the train how amazed I was that there is a castle literally sitting next to the local shops!
I have a resolution this year to try and get round some castles and places of interest as a tourist and take advantage of the wonderful places on my doorstep.
Victoria x
My daughter just came back from 9 days in Japan, staying with a friend and his wife. She said that's the best way to see a culture - actually live with them.
I told her that when I visit England some day I'm going to stay with my dear friends, Elizabeth and Philip. Nice to see the house where I'll be living!
Great pictures!
Pretty amazing. Lots and lots and lots of history in your home country. Great buildings also.
Those are terrific pictures! When we finally visit England someday, this will definitely be on the top of my list of places to see!
I love architecture, so thanks for sharing these great pics with us!
A beautiful post and so lovingly presented.
I love Windsor castle! I'm from just down the road, actually. Great pics!
Lovely tour. Enough to make a girl homesick.
That thing is gigantic. What a view. You'd want to be far back to take it all in. Wondeful shot.
Windsor Castle is still one of the places in the UK that I haven't been able to see! I have a video of Songs of Praise at Christmas in Windsor Castle. It was recorded after that terrible fire. I often showed it to my students when we were celebrating Christmas together.Thank you for showing! You made me very happy!!
How beautiful, we have yet to make it there but its on our Bucket list!
Incredible pictures & some wonderful history to go with them! Thanks for sharing!
I had no idea it was SO huge ... when I was in London a lifetime ago I did see the changing of the guard but I dont know how I missed taking in the enormity of the palace ...
Now that is a commute I could get used to. I have Windsor on my itinerary for our trip next summer. So looking forward to it. I understand the village of Windsor is beautiful as well. Thanks for sharing.
how cool! thanks for sharing!
Great tour, thank you!
I've always wanted to see this sights in England. My daughter spent the week after she graduated from college in London. I got to pack up her belongings and move her home. Hardly seems fair. She had a great time, and really enjoyed the trip.
An Arkies Musings
Ah! Beautiful!!
Will I be ever there?!
I love history and it would be very difficult for me to just visit England for a short time. It will have to be a trip planned for a longer stay. I could easily get lost in time over there. Thanks for sharing your photos. They are fabulous.
Yet another place I need to put on my list of places to visit. Thanks for the photos!
Wonderful shots of Windsor. I was there in 1974 but haven't been back since. Your photographs brought back a lot of happy memories of the summer I spent in England with my parents and brother when I was a teenager. I went to Germany and France briefly six years ago but didn't have the time to make it to England during that trip. I hope I will do one of these days.
I was there! We were there in August, so the Queen was in Scotland, so we got to go into the gardens, which was beautiful too!
Thanks for the tour of Windsor -- it brought back many memories. I visited Windsor in the spring of 1994, after the fire but before the restoration was complete. My daughter was studying in London that semester and we spent a very enjoyable day in Windsor.
Your pictures are gorgeous and they absolutely do Windsor justice!
My British husband moved to California for me and it's been quite a change for him. We don't get to go back to visit the UK often so it's nice to get a mini tour here =)
Wow. A REAL castle. It's absolutely massive! Great shots and I'm so glad you included the one from a distance. I've been going back and forth trying to place the close-up shots in the distance shot. :-D
Thanks, I will definitely have it on my list. I am going! When, not sure - but I am going!
How beautiful! I had the wonderful fortune of being in England in 2004while in the Air Force. I was activated and on flying status, so I only had one day to do the tourist thing and I made the most of it. I LOVE England. Beautiful country and so much history. I am facinated with English royalty. I cried the day Diana died. Thanks so much for sharing!
Well, Sarah, thank you for taking us "back home" with you. I loved the tour.
Great tour! I have seen a few of the old castles in Europe, but none as fine as Windsor! It is great that the new generations of royalty built upon the old, rather than destroying it to make their own. It must have hard to leave such a place, even to marry a US guy!
Amazing and beautiful. I love the chapel's architecture, and how cool is the whole flag communication thingy?! The United States is just waaaaay too new for fun stuff like this!
Great photos and interesting info - really awesome. This is truly the first time that I've seen pictures of this nature of Windsor. Thank you so much for showing me what is not normally shown in the media
Sarah;
Your pictures are gorgeous!
We visited England in 1980 and saw the castle.
We have been watching the mini series "The Tudors," My hubby and I are really enjoying old King Henry.
Your pictures go right along with this series!
Thank you for sharing them with us.
What an amazing castle! We saw just the front of it when we were in London many, many moons ago and didn't realize what was on the other side. These are amazing photos! This was such a wonderful, interesting post! Thank you so much, Sarah!
This is my favorite "tourist attraction" in England. Plus, while there, I never miss an opportunity to have lunch or tea at The Crooked House of Windsor.
Crumbs I live in England and I've never been. Nice photos.
It's funny how you are affected by buildings. I used to work in an office opposite Durham Cathedral. It was a glorious view of my favourite bulding.
I actually stayed in Windsor Castle once. A friend of mine was working there for a summer, and I went over to see her. I seem to remember that the Queen was there that night, although not in my friend's poky apartment, I hasten to add!
Thank you for the beautiful pictures of Windsor Castle. I stumbled on your site looking up info for my son's diorama project we are working on....would love to see the castle in person!
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