WINDSOR CASTLE, WINDSOR, ENGLAND
One of the nicest places in England to go to for a day out is without doubt, Windsor Castle. On a sunny day the castle is a spectacular sight set against a blue sky. It doesn't matter how many times you've seen it before, it is still awe inspiring. The good thing about Windsor is that there is so much to do and see within such a small area. The castle itself is set alongside the River Thames where you can go on a boat trip or indeed hire out a boat of your own to explore the river. I personally think that the castle is best seen from the river. You can always feed the swans there too, and perhaps have a picnic alongside the river on the grassy banks.
Windsor also boasts some of the countries nicest shops. There are plenty of places to buy china and glassware, fancy clothes and jewellery and of course Windsor has some of the finest restaurants around. Even if you don't want to spend a fortune on food there are plenty of nice pizza restaurants, Thai restaurants, a Haagen Daaz ice-cream cafe, up-market american style restaurants plus a shop that sells rather nice cream cakes and pastries. Indeed whatever your food tastes, you're sure to find something to suit your needs at Windsor.
You can also walk across the bridge into Eton, which is equally as pretty as Windsor's town centre itself, and is a touch quieter. There are lots of antique shops to be found there for an older, and perhaps more historical souvenir of the day out.
The funniest thing that ever happened to me in Windsor was when I took my dog there once. She wears a red harness and one American lady walked past and said to her husband "Look, see the colours it's wearing, it must be one of the Queens royal dogs !"
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world. It is the Queen's official residence and was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 after his victory at the battle of Hastings. The castle was revamped by Edward the III, building new apartments, the great round tower and the enormous Norman edifice that looms majestically above the town, which surrounds one side of the castle, the other is surrounded by 4,800 acres of park-land. Almost every monarch since has added new buildings or improved existing ones, transforming a medieval castle into a luxurious royal palace.
Highlights include St. George's Chapel, one of the most noble buildings in England, more than 230 feet long. On the outside one sees hundreds of gargoyles, pinnacles and buttresses. On the inside, two tiers of great windows, with banners, swords, and helmets from the Knights of the Order of the Garter, the most senior Order of Chivalry. Among the monarchs buried there are Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and her husband Albert and George VI, father of the present Queen.
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