Windsor

Saturday 25 August saw members of our group head off in the coach to Windsor. Most of us planned to visit Windsor Castle. Tickets had been pre-booked for the group and we arrived in Windsor by 10 am. However it was not until 10.45 that we finally made it through security and the gates and were able to explore the castle grounds.

Windsor Castle is an impressive structure. The original castle on the site was a Norman Castle. The castle was rebuilt by Edward III, including the royal apartments in the Upper Ward. Charles II and George IV were other monarchs who presided over alterations to the buildings.

The Changing of the Guard took place at 11 am.

A band also played a selection of music.

St George's Chapel was near where we watched the parade below so that was our next port of call.

Edward III established the College of St George on 6 August 1348. The College was attached to the Chapel of Edward the Confessor, originally built by Henry III. Edward IV commissioned the building of the new Chapel in 1475.

The Chapel of St George is a magnificent building. Having watched on television the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markell in this church earlier in the year it was interesting to see the building itself.

In the photo below, taken in an ITV report, the steps and arch door have been decorated with flowers for the wedding.

It was not possible to take photographs inside the chapel, however there are many online including this one in a CTV report about the wedding.

As in many other similar buildings the arches, vaulted decorated ceiling, wood carvings and stained glass windows are magnificent. This photograph also shows the banners of the Knights of the Garter.

We also visited the State Apartments which contain rooms used for official functions. This area was particularly crowded so we really had a glimpse of the rooms on display. As one of our group remarked, the rooms are awe inspiring and over whelming. It would be necessary to make a number of visits to take it all in. Royal Collection Trust has some images of rooms in the castle.

The Grand Staircase makes a most impressive entrance way with the statue of George IV at the bottom and two knights on horseback on either side of the stairs.

The Horseshoe Cloisters were built between 1478-1481 and restored in the 19th century. Members of the choir and their families now live in these buildings.

After visiting the castle we returned to the coach station through the shopping centre.

Bunting decorated the streets.

At the railway station we saw a replica (made in 1982) of the engine of the train, The Queen, which the Royal Family used to travel around the country to special events in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

Our trip to Windsor proved to be an enjoyable experience, even though everywhere we went was very crowded.