Arcadia England

This semester we kicked off the events schedule with a trip to the famous Windsor Castle. It is one of Britain’s major tourist attractions as the weekend residence of the Queen and an important ceremonial location, steeped in history.

Castle and grounds

We hopped on a train at London Paddington on the 2^nd of February, changing at Slough. As we approached Windsor and Eton Central Station we were able to see the Castle and Chapel above the skyline in the distance. After taking the mandatory group photo outside the castle walls, students were free to explore the grounds and castle at their own pace.

We saw St. George’s chapel at the start – you might recognise it from the photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018! We weren’t allowed to take photos on the inside but it was very lavishly decorated, with tombs of King Henry VIII and his favourite wife Jane Seymour, and the beheaded Charles I, inside the Quire.

Just before 11am, the Changing of the Guard took place outside of the Chapel. A huge crowd gathered – despite the cold and icy conditions. It was a chance for students to see up close the Changing of the Guard, which most famously happens at a distance behind the closed gates of Buckingham Palace. From there, we were allowed into the State Apartments – most recognisable from Harry and Meghan’s recent wedding photos. We also had a chance to see their wedding outfits within the apartments – but, again, no photos allowed!

Exploring windsor

While Windsor is known almost exclusively for the Royal Residence, it is a lovely town, with plenty of places to shop and eat and enjoy, once we had left the castle grounds. We enjoyed lunch in a historic pub, but students went further afield throughout town, with one enjoying bubblegum flavoured crepes and ice cream – even in the cold weather!

For students looking to soak up as much British history and culture while they’re here, Windsor provides a look at the lifestyles of the royal family, as well as being able to experience a quieter setting on the outskirts of London.

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