THE ONE CASTLE
Many Australians are eager to pay homage to the Queen after her dying and there are a wealth of royal connections in Windsor, house to her favorite weekend retreat, Windsor Fortress. Windsor Fortress is the second oldest (after the Tower of London). It’s also the most important occupied citadel on the earth. Throughout COVID lockdowns, the Queen and her consort lived of their royal suite renovated for the reason that disastrous fireplace in 1992. See royal.uk/royal-residences-windsor-castle
THE ONE ROYAL CHAPEL
St George’s Chapel (the place Elizabeth II will probably be buried with the late Duke of Edinburgh) dates again to the 14th Century. It is one of many first buildings you see if you enter the citadel confines. Many monarchs have put their imprint on the chapel, from Edward III in 1348 to George III and Victoria. The chapel has witnessed many marriages, together with these of King Charles III and his Queen Consort, plus Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Nonetheless additionally it is the royal sepulchre. The late Queen will probably be interred within the chapel’s royal vault alongside Prince Philip, and her mother and father and sister Margaret. See stgeorges-windsor.org
THE ONE RIVER
The Thames is not the longest river within the UK, and even England. Nonetheless it’s – as Winston Churchill as soon as wrote – “the silver artery of the Empire”. In case you’ve solely seen the Thames in its murky estuarine incarnation in central London, enterprise a brief journey upstream to Marlow, Henley, (scene of the annual rowing carnivals) or Windsor. You may be solid again to the times of Jerome Okay Jerome and Toad of Toad Corridor when “messing about” on the river was all of the pleasure you wanted for at some point. You’ll be able to nonetheless head out for a row, or make a journey upstream on a picturesque boat. See windsor-berkshire.co.uk/river-thames-windsor
THE ONE BIRTHPLACE OF DEMOCRACY
On June 15, 1215, “Unhealthy” King John – notorious from so many Robin Hood motion pictures alongside his henchman, the Sheriff of Nottingham – met his Barons right here on this water meadow, a brief stroll from Windsor. The realm was at stake, a civil struggle looming. King John noticed sense and signed the “Nice Constitution” – now identified by its Latin title, the Magna Carta. It set out lots of the elementary human rights we nonetheless take pleasure in in the present day. Which is why the positioning now additionally accommodates a monument to John F Kennedy. See nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede-and-ankerwycke
THE ONE GREAT PARK
The “Lengthy Stroll” from Windsor Nice Park to Windsor Fortress is without doubt one of the most luxurious strolls in any English panorama. Nonetheless the Nice Park itself is much more very good and is now house to the brand new Prince and Princess of Wales, plus Harry and Meghan (when not in California), and different hideaway royals just like the Duke of York. For a lot of centuries, the Nice Park was a Royal searching floor, primarily for deer. At the moment the general public can go to most days. In case you’re a bike owner, rent a motorbike and discover on saddleback. See windsorgreatpark.co.uk
THE ONE ROYAL STATION
There isn’t any extra stunning station in Britain than the heritage-listed Windsor and Eton terminal, a brief stroll from the Fortress. Queen Victoria used it incessantly, notably after Prince Albert died. Within the lobby you may’t assist however spot the locomotive that normally transported the grieving queen to her Fortress of Solitude. At the moment the station has been transformed right into a tourism hub, with cafes, outlets and eating places. But it nonetheless retains its allure. Trains from London depart Paddington station. See gwr.com/stations-and-destinations
THE ONE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Sure, everyone knows the music from the Winnie the Pooh books: “They’re altering guards at Buckingham Palace. Christopher Robin went down with Alice …” Nonetheless Buckingham Palace is not the one place to to witness such pomp and ceremony. There is a altering of the guard at Windsor and the spectacle is much extra evocative as a result of the guards march via the streets of Windsor to and from the citadel. Although if you wish to see the precise trade itself, you may have to purchase an entrance ticket to the citadel. I used to be fortunate sufficient to see the Gurkhas change the Grenadier Guards. See changing-guard.com/windsor-castle-guard
THE ONE RACECOURSE
Windsor has its personal racecourse, however the late Queen was all the time synonymous with Royal Ascot, the August race meet that’s as a part of the English summer season as strawberry and cream at Wimbledon or mud and music at Glastonbury. The racecourse was based in 1711 by Queen Anne, and is a 10-minute drive from Windsor. However for those who’re desiring to attend Royal Ascot pack prime hat and tails (for those who’re male) and a captivating hat and outfit (for those who’re not). See ascot.com
THE ONE SCHOOL
Eton School has educated 20 of Britain’s 56 Prime Ministers, from the very first, Sir Robert Walpole, to Boris Johnson. Based in 1440 by Henry VI, the faculty is a brief stroll from the citadel on the opposite facet of the Thames. Its coat of arms contains the fleur-de-lys as a result of Henry VI was king of France in addition to England (however not Scotland). Present college students pay £46,296 ($78,483) per yr to attend the college, seven days per week. See etoncollege.com
ONE MORE THING
Windsor has extra pubs than simply about every other city of its measurement, most of them with a royal title. The Duchess of Cambridge will in all probability retain its title although Kate is now Princess of Wales. As for The Prince Harry, it nonetheless sports activities pictures of Harry and Meghan.
Steve Meacham travelled at his personal expense.
