What is Windsor Castle?
Windsor Castle is a royal residence in Berkshire, west of London, and the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It has been home to English and British monarchs for more than 900 years.
The castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century, built on a hill above the River Thames. Successive monarchs expanded and rebuilt it over the centuries.
Queen Elizabeth II spent much of her time at Windsor, especially in her later years. The royal family took its name, Windsor, from the castle in 1917.
What to see
Visitors can explore the State Apartments, filled with art from the Royal Collection, and Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a detailed miniature house built in the 1920s.
St George's Chapel, within the castle grounds, is the site of royal weddings, including those of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and royal burials. Queen Elizabeth II was buried there in 2022.
In 1992, a fire damaged parts of the castle, and restoration took five years. The Changing of the Guard takes place at Windsor on certain days. The town of Windsor is a short train ride from London.