Wonderful Windsor
Windsor is a picturesque place for a short break away, largely thanks to its splendid royal castle. I admit I spent a lot of my time there recently studying the top of the Round Tower to see which fl ag was flying; the Royal Standard is raised when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is in residence and what a thrill it would have been to catch a glimpse of her.
The Queen spends most of her private weekends at Windsor as well as one week in June when she attends Royal Ascot.
Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years. The gardens are spectacular and wonderful treasures can be enjoyed in the State Apartments, including masterpieces by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyck. You can also see the Great Kitchen and the place where the disastrous fire broke out in 1992.
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is exquisite – a miniature house with working electric lights and even flushing loos. There’s also the splendid St George’s Chapel, spiritual home of the Order of the Garter and final resting place of 10 monarchs, including Henry VIII and Charles I.
Do try to plan your visit to coincide with one of the highlights, the Changing of the Guard, which in June takes place at 11am daily, except Sundays, weather permitting.
I stayed at the 120-bedroomed Macdonald Windsor Hotel, a couple of minutes’ walk from the castle – some of the suites actually offer castle views.
The Scottish Steak Club at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
It’s a comfortable and beautifully furnished hotel with delicious food – the Scottish Steak Club, a Macdonald Hotels concept, features meat cooked on a Josper grill so the steak is succulent even if you prefer your meat well done. There are fish, vegetarian and other options to suit all tastes.
The hotel is also handy for shopping. There is a good selection of products, from Cath Kidston and Woods of Windsor, to Aveda, Moda in Pelle, Molton Brown and Barbour. Of course, there are plenty of royal souvenirs on sale, too, from corgi cushions to marble coasters with soldiers on them.
After lunch, spend the afternoon on the river, enjoying a very informative boat trip on the Thames with French Brothers. You’ll learn about Swan Upping and some famous local homeowners, and keep your eyes open for kingfishers, rare egrets and tufted ducks – and maybe a Royal resident, if you’re lucky…
Getting there
The Queen spends most of her private weekends at Windsor as well as one week in June when she attends Royal Ascot.
Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years. The gardens are spectacular and wonderful treasures can be enjoyed in the State Apartments, including masterpieces by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyck. You can also see the Great Kitchen and the place where the disastrous fire broke out in 1992.
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is exquisite – a miniature house with working electric lights and even flushing loos. There’s also the splendid St George’s Chapel, spiritual home of the Order of the Garter and final resting place of 10 monarchs, including Henry VIII and Charles I.
Do try to plan your visit to coincide with one of the highlights, the Changing of the Guard, which in June takes place at 11am daily, except Sundays, weather permitting.
I stayed at the 120-bedroomed Macdonald Windsor Hotel, a couple of minutes’ walk from the castle – some of the suites actually offer castle views.
The Scottish Steak Club at the Macdonald Windsor HotelIt’s a comfortable and beautifully furnished hotel with delicious food – the Scottish Steak Club, a Macdonald Hotels concept, features meat cooked on a Josper grill so the steak is succulent even if you prefer your meat well done. There are fish, vegetarian and other options to suit all tastes.
The hotel is also handy for shopping. There is a good selection of products, from Cath Kidston and Woods of Windsor, to Aveda, Moda in Pelle, Molton Brown and Barbour. Of course, there are plenty of royal souvenirs on sale, too, from corgi cushions to marble coasters with soldiers on them.
After lunch, spend the afternoon on the river, enjoying a very informative boat trip on the Thames with French Brothers. You’ll learn about Swan Upping and some famous local homeowners, and keep your eyes open for kingfishers, rare egrets and tufted ducks – and maybe a Royal resident, if you’re lucky…
Getting there
- Windsor Castle: 020-7766 7304, www.royalcollection.org.uk
- French Brothers Boat Trips: 01753-851900, www.frenchbrothers.co.uk
- B&B at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel costs from £149 per night: 0844-879 9101, www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/Windsor
- For more information on Windsor, go to www.windsor.gov.uk
- Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
- Prices are correct at the time of going to press.