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12th October 2008 - by Ann Coveney
  
Visiting Windsor, England, When Her Majesty the Queen is in Residence the Royal Standard is Raised
  
The majestic stag stands watching over his harem of females looking out for their safety. The silence is shattered with the sound of horse's hooves crashing through the trees. The deer are startled and run. The Royal Hunt is afoot with the hunt master William the Conqueror at its head. The time is the eleventh century and the place is Windlesora - known today as Windsor.

Since the Norman Kings built their defences here it has been the home of Kings and Queens of England. For some, including Charles1, HenryV111 and Jane Seymour, it is their final resting place.

Windsor Castle is the oldest castle residence still in use today. When Her Majesty the Queen is in residence the Royal Standard is raised. When she is out of town the Union Jack is hoisted.

Parts of the castle are open to the public including:-

Queen Mary's Dolls House
This remarkable labour of love was made for Queen Mary in 1924. Everything in the house works - even the plumbing. Many famous people contributed to the design and articles within. The library contains original leather-bound books. The cars in the garage can run 20,000 miles to the gallon. You wonder if a child ever played with this masterpiece!

Eton College
About a mile north from Windsor Castle is the famous Eton College founded by HenryV1 in1440. Originally built to educate poor students it is one of the most exclusive schools in the world. Lists of past and present pupils read like a who's who of people that have shaped and will continue to shape the world we live in.

Guildhall
Sir Thomas Fitz originally designed the building but died before its completion. Famous architect Sir Christopher Wren continued his work and completed it in 1689. From here you can watch the changing of the guards passing by complete with red tunics and bearskins. Inside you can view a collection of royal portraits dating back to Elizabeth 1. and a series of dioramas depicting historical events and places.

Interestingly, the columns, which seem to be supporting the roof of this building, actually carry no weight at all. More recently pictures of the Guildhall were beamed around the world, as this was the venue for the civil wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.

The Cavalry Museum
Anyone with an interest in all things military will be delighted with this collection. Exhibits date from the seventeenth century to the present day including armour weaponry and battle models.

Windsor Great Park
'The Long Walk', 'Savill Gardens' and 'Virginia Water' are highlights of this huge park covering 4800 acres. The Long Walk covers a distance of 3 miles from the castle to the statue of George 111 on horseback. Savill Gardens offers you a spectacular array of plants and flowers all year round. You can stop and buy your favourite plant or have a bite to eat in the restaurant. Towards the south is Virginia Water - a large lake surrounded by beautiful gardens and sprawling lawns. Look out for some curiosities including a 100 foot totem pole.

A visit to Royal Windsor will take you on a journey back through one thousand years of English history and tradition. This is a place that continues to inspire and excite the imagination. If visiting Royal Windsor has left you with a thirst to know more then a trip of six miles will take you to Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed laying down the foundations of our present day democracies.

Windsor is also the headquarters of Morgan Crucible http://www.morgancrucible.com , probably the most successful engineering company in the world. Their Technical Ceramics and Carbon divisions provide a wide range of materials, products and services to customers from around the world.

Article Source: http://www.bb-articles.com

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