Windsor Castle

Windsor is dominated by its castle, built on a chalk hill, which for more than 900 years has served as the Royal Family's summer home.

Windsor Castle is one of the world's most beautiful residences and is also its largest inhabited castle. The royal flag flutters from the top of the Round Tower whenever the Queen stays in Windsor. When she is not here the state apartments can be viewed.

About a dozen monarchs have either added to Windsor Castle or altered it. The founding of the present site dates from the time of Edward III, after William the Conqueror had had the first castle built in 1078. Henry I, Henry II and Henry III had the castle strengthened by the addition of stone constructions and defensive fortifications. In 1189 the English barons laid siege to the castle and beat the Welsh troops of Prince John, the later King "John Lackland", who had to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 in nearby Runnymede. Edward III, who was born in Windsor, had the old fortress torn down and through William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, had other fortifications and enlargements, including the Round Tower, carried out. Under Elizabeth I the north terrace was added. During the reign of Charles II the picturesque castle site was transformed into a comfortable castle home, which following rulers, however, used only seldom. Renewed restoration work using plans drawn up by the architect Sir Geoffrey Wyattville followed under George IV, William IV and Victoria.

The cost of repairing the damage caused by the great fire at the end of 1992 has been estimated at millions of pounds, with the work probably taking several years.