Windsor Castle: History, Visits, and Royal Secrets Near London

When you think of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, serving as a royal residence since the 11th century. Also known as Windsor Fortress, it’s not just a postcard image—it’s a living palace where kings and queens still walk the halls, host state visits, and rest behind its thick stone walls. Unlike other historic sites that feel frozen in time, Windsor Castle pulses with quiet continuity. It survived fires, wars, and revolutions, yet still hosts the Changing of the Guard, royal weddings, and private family gatherings. You don’t just visit it—you step into centuries of British identity.

What makes Windsor Castle different from London’s other landmarks? It’s not just about the Crown Jewels or the architecture. It’s the fact that it’s still a working home. While Buckingham Palace is more about public ceremony, Windsor feels like a family estate with grandeur. You’ll find the State Apartments, a series of lavishly decorated rooms used for official entertaining, filled with paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, and furniture from the reigns of Charles II and George IV. Then there’s St. George’s Chapel, a masterpiece of Gothic design where royals are buried and married, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Even the Queen’s private quarters, now open to the public, show how royal life blends tradition with simple comforts—like a tea set left on a table as if the owner just stepped out.

It’s also one of the easiest day trips from London. Just a 30-minute train ride from Paddington or Waterloo, it’s the perfect escape from the city without needing a car. You can wander the Long Walk, a tree-lined avenue stretching two miles to the castle gates, or explore the Great Park where deer roam freely. Locals come here for picnics, weekend walks, or to catch the afternoon gun salute. And unlike crowded museums, you can find quiet corners near the Round Tower or along the riverbank where the only sound is wind through the trees.

What you won’t find here are flashy digital exhibits or overpriced gift shops. Windsor Castle keeps it real. The guides are former military staff who’ve served in the palace for decades. The audio tour is narrated by a royal historian, not a voice actor. Even the ticket lines move fast because they’ve been fine-tuned over hundreds of years of visitors. This isn’t a theme park. It’s a place where history doesn’t perform—it just is.

And that’s why the posts below feel so connected. Whether it’s a romantic evening near the castle walls, a quiet walk through the park after a tour, or a late-night train back to London with the stars above—you’re not just seeing a landmark. You’re feeling the weight and warmth of something that’s been alive longer than most nations. The posts ahead cover everything from how to skip the crowds, to the best hidden spots for photos, to why this place still matters to people who’ve never met a king.