Windsor Castle

Overview

Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, located in the county of Berkshire, England. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has been a royal residence for nearly a thousand years and remains one of the principal homes of the British monarch. The castle’s immense scale, strategic hilltop position overlooking the River Thames, and continuous evolution through every architectural era make it a unique record of English royal history.

Early history

Construction of Windsor Castle began around 1070 as part of William the Conqueror’s defensive ring of fortifications surrounding London. The original structure was a motte-and-bailey castle built of timber, strategically placed on a chalk bluff to command the Thames Valley. By the reign of Henry I (1100–1135), the wooden buildings had been replaced by stone, and the castle was already serving as a royal residence. Henry II later added the Round Tower and began transforming Windsor into both a fortress and a palace.

Building and layout

Windsor Castle occupies an area of about thirteen acres and is divided into three main wards: the Lower, Middle, and Upper Wards. The Round Tower, built upon the original Norman motte, dominates the centre of the complex. The Upper Ward contains the State Apartments, St George’s Hall, and the Semi-State Rooms, while the Lower Ward includes St George’s Chapel, one of the finest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in England. The castle’s walls, towers, and gatehouses were successively rebuilt and expanded from the 12th to the 19th centuries, creating the fortress-palace seen today.

Later history and transformation

Throughout the Middle Ages, Windsor remained a key royal fortress and ceremonial centre. Edward III established the Order of the Garter here in 1348, linking the castle with one of Britain’s oldest chivalric traditions. During the English Civil War, it was held by Parliamentarian forces and later used as a prison for royalists. In the 19th century, George IV and Queen Victoria carried out extensive restorations, turning Windsor into the principal symbol of the British monarchy. Following a major fire in 1992, the castle was meticulously restored, with work completed in 1997.

Present condition

Today, Windsor Castle is both a working royal residence and a major public attraction managed by the Royal Collection Trust. It hosts official state events, royal ceremonies, and investitures, and remains the preferred weekend home of the monarch. Visitors can explore the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, and the castle grounds, all of which reflect centuries of continuous occupation and architectural development. As both a living palace and a symbol of national heritage, Windsor Castle stands at the heart of British royal history.