Windsor Berkshire Home Of English Monarchs
Everyone has heard of Windsor Castle but there are many other things to see and do in this town of 30,000 found in the county of Berkshire in England. Windsor is situated near the Thames and is said to be a great place to live. Old Windsor is two miles to the south and was the original site of royal residence until Henry I moved it to the present site in 1086. The new site was called New Windsor up until 1974 when the name changed to just plain Windsor. Windsor Berkshire has a multitude of great things to keep your happy and occupied.
Windsor was a place where the privileged came to live and only the rich could live there because of the fees that had to be paid to the king. It became the wealthiest town in England by 1332. There was much work because of building projects developed by the king and along with jobs came merchants of all kinds.
Many stores still line the streets today. There are the many souvenir and gifts shops especially situated around the castle. Department stores, toy stores, clothing stores and other larger stores can also be found in town. Peascod Street is know most for its shopping experiences but it is also one of the oldest streets in town dating before the castle was even built. You can shop to your hearts content just on this one street.
Of course Windsor Castle is the main tourist attraction in town. This is still a royal residence to this day and allows the town to have many things a small town would never have like 2 railway stations and large hotels. The castle is the oldest and the biggest occupied castle in the world. In the castle are the State Apartments, St. Georges Chapel where 10 kings and queens are buried, and Queen Marys Dolls House a miniature doll house built for Queen Mary. Visitors can tour the castle March to October and November to February. This is a working castle so it may be closed at the last minute.
LEGOLAND can also be found in Windsor. Kids from three to twelve will enjoy this theme park named after the favorite snap together blocks. There are rides, shows, workshops where you build things with LEGO blocks and much more. The attraction is open March through November but check with the park to make sure of the hours.
Because the castle is the home of the queen there is a Changing of the Guard Ceremony that can be viewed from inside the castle. The Guard begins marching up High street about ten fifty am and proceeds to the lower ward guardroom in the castle where the ceremony lasts about thirty minutes. From April to July the ceremony takes place every day but Sunday as long as the weather is nice. From August to March it occurs every other day except when inclement weather threatens.
Other things to see in Windsor are Eaton College, Windsor Great Park and Savill Garden. Eat at the diverse assortment of restaurants in town and stay at the hotels that are located in and out of the town. In September the annual Windsor Festival takes place. Enjoy the film festival, dance recitals, concerts and more that are presented by local talent and by celebrities.
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