How could any trip to Windsor possibly be complete without a visit to the amazing Windsor Castle itself? The castle is located next to the bustling high street, full of various shops and social venues. After admiring the castle from the outskirts, it was time to go check it out inside.
The queue around 2:30 pm in the afternoon was significant as the main gate would closed as early as 3:00 pm in the winter time. However we got to the official ticket office after about 20 minutes waiting outside. Not too bad I thought. But once at the building entrance, there was a further 10 minute wait. Well, the next time we know to come earlier, lol.
The entrance admission price is £20.50. However you can enjoy free re-admission for a whole year if you ask them to treat your ticket purchase as a donation so make sure you get it stamped up by the staff before you leave Windsor Castle. Remember you also have the option to buy the ticket online.
Finally, we got through the gate to which we found ourselves right by a souvenir shop near a second entrance. You have the choice of collecting an audio guide there too which is really helpful in understanding the history of the castle.
Once inside, the magnitude of the castle is spectacularly breath-taking. It contains around 1000 rooms within approx. 13 acres of land. I really love this place, showcasing beautiful grounds and architecture, which is packed full of history and lavish memorabilia. The castle and the grounds are kept in great condition as it is still considered a fully functioning castle. No wonder the Queen chooses to spend most of her private weekends here, lol.
You can even time your visit for when the Queen is in residence at Windsor Castle. Just look out for the Union Jack flying from the castle’s Round Tower. The Royal Standard that signals the Queen is there.
The castle itself is not the only link with the a long, rich history. So are the colourful grounds inside. You will also see lots of ancient oak trees which date back all the way to the Norman Conquest.
温莎城堡位于熙熙攘攘的主街旁，周围布满了各式各样的商店。城堡和小镇完美地融为一体。在城墙外眺望城堡，风景美不胜收。可是来温莎又怎能不进城堡内参观呢！于是我们沿着斜坡往上走没多远，就抵达温莎城堡入口处。
那天来城堡参观的游客特别多，进入王宫需要排很长的队，我们在门外就等了20分钟，进入票务中心以后又等了10分钟。不过我听说在这里等一个小时都是很正常的。热门景点都是这样，无论是国内还是国外，呵呵。
成人入场门票价格是20.5英镑。如果你让工作人员把你购买的票作为捐款，你可以享受全年免费入场的优惠哦。不过要记得在离开温莎城堡之前让工作人员盖个章就行了。你也可以选择在网上购票。
从票务中心出来就是纪念品商店。有需要的朋友还可以在那里领取语音导览，每个人佩戴一个播音器和耳机，可以帮助游客了解更多城堡的历史，非常方便。
温莎城堡的规模相当大，总共有1000多个房间，占地面积约为13英亩地。整座城堡分为上区，中区和下区三个部分。城堡本身和草坪都保持得非常好，不愧是一个功能齐全的城堡。我情不自禁地被这古堡的美深深吸引住。难怪女王会选择在这里度过她大部分的私人周末！
你甚至可以选择在女王居住温莎城堡期间来访，因为只要圆塔顶上升起了英国皇室的旗子，就说明女王在这里，呵呵。
除了城堡本身历史悠久，你还会看到很多古老的橡树。它们的年龄可以追溯到诺曼时期呢！
（未完待续）
!steemitworldmap 51.484029 lat -0.604400 long Windsor Castle d3scr
