Windsor Castle is today the largest inhabited castle in the world,situated in the county of Berkshire. It was originally built by William the Conquerer in the 11th Century and has seen many extensions and fortifications by English monarchs over the years.

Windsor castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and is one of the official residences of the Queen.Queen Elizabeth II has made many alterations and improvements to the Castle making it one of the UK’s best loved tourist attractions. Visitors to Windsor Castle have the chance to see inside a working royal residence – from state apartments, banqueting halls and the Royal Collection of paintings and sculptures collected by monarchs throughout the Castle’s long history.

The State Apartments are open to the public from March to October and art lovers will be impressed by a collection of some of the finest paintings by Rembrandt, Canaletto and Gainsborough. Visitors can also view George IV’s private apartments which are some of the most lavishly decorated rooms in the castle.

St George’s Chapel remains an active centre for worship, with daily services open to all. It is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England.Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I.

Among the highlights of a visit to Windsor is Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the most famous dolls’ house in the world.The house has electric lighting, hot and cold running water, and even flushing lavatories.

During August and September the East Terrace is open to visitors. Overlooking Home Park and the rose garden created for George IV in the 1820s, it offers views of the East facade of the Castle, not normally visible to the public.

Windsor Castle is also a busy visitor attraction. Many parts of the Castle are open to the public, including the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s famous dolls’ house, St George’s Chapel, and the Albert Memorial Chapel.

Windsor Castle is a working palace and may be closed for State functions so visitors are advised to check opening times before they visit.

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Hadrian’s Wall – The Northern Border of the Roman Empire

As the Roman Empire began to crumble, the Romans built a defensive wall, across the North of Britain, from Carlisle to Newcastle-on-Tyne, to keep out Picts, invading from Scotland, UK Sights.No one knows how long it might have held because troubles in the rest of Europe drew the Romans away from this northern most reach of their Empire.

Today, remnants of the wall can be found for about 73 miles – a lot of those remnants forming stone fences, stone barns and the cobbles in stable courtyards.

Excavations at Vindolanda, a fort and village on Hadrian’s Wall, provide a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Roman legion at the edge of the empire. Exhibitions at Vindolanda and the nearby Roman Army Museum include poignant evidence of the Roman soldier’s life in Britain. Included are rare letters home, written in ink on wood, asking for warm clothing and socks.

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