I booked a seat on a bus tour of Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath, which was a better deal than trying to visit all three by myself. I'd visited Windsor six years ago when I went to London with my family, and remember absolutely loving it. It hasn't changed a bit - this is my favourite castle in the whole world. In late September the leaves were beginning to change, which gave it an added charm. I'm so glad I'd had a chance to visit before, as on the bus tour we only had about an hour and a half - enough time to run through and take pictures. This is the royal family's favourite castle, which is why they changed their name to Windsor from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in WWI. On most weekends the Queen comes to stay at the castle. The state rooms and Queen Mary's Doll House (the most exquisite dollhouse I've ever seen - they even have real wine in the wine bottles!) are open to the public, as is St. George's Chapel. The state rooms are pretty special, and are still in use for official functions.
Statue of Queen Victoria in Windsor.
The entrance gate.
Entrance to the castle grounds.
The Round Tower.
St. George's Chapel. King George VI, the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret are buried here, among many others. This is the site of the annual Garter Day festivities - the Order of the Garter being the highest order of chivalry in the kingdom.
Eton College, as seen from Windsor Castle. This is probably the best boy's primary school in the country.
Palace grounds. Beautiful parkland. The Royal Ascot is nearby, home to the famous horse races, and is often attended by the royal family (the Queen even enters a few horses in the races!). Our guide told us the Queen still goes riding at Windsor, and no matter where she is always reads a copy of the Racing Post at breakfast.
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