WINDSOR

With its historic castle and scenic rural surrounds, Windsor wears its royal seal of approval well

- PHILIPPA HOWARD

There’s something wonderful about Windsor. It’s a town that’s crowned by a castle; a place where pomp and ceremony are par for the course. It’s the jewel in Berkshire’s crown, from the swathe of the Great Park to the south to the sweep of the River Thames to the north, and the mix of history, culture and heritage in between.

From its position at the top of the hill, Windsor Castle watches over the town: the oldest royal residence in continuous use, and also the largest inhabited castle in the world.

There’s been a castle on this site for over 900 years, and incredibly its footprint hasn’t changed since it was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It was built as part of a chain of Norman fortifications around London, its position in the Thames valley chosen to secure the western approach to the capital, but thanks to its proximity to a royal hunting forest, it quickly became a royal residence.