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Windsor Castle

The oldest castle in the world that's still lived in — kings and queens have called it home for over 900 years.

Windsor, Berkshire, England

c.1070First built

900+ yrsContinuously lived in

1348Order of the Garter founded

The story of the mound

Not long after winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror needed a ring of strongholds to guard the approach to London. Around 1070, he built a wooden fort on top of a man-made mound (called a motte) beside the River Thames at Windsor — an easy day's ride from the capital.

Over the next 900 years, king after king rebuilt and expanded it, swapping wood for stone, adding grand chapels and staterooms. No other castle in the world has been lived in by a royal family for so long, without a single break — which makes Windsor a living building rather than a ruin to visit.

Fun facts to remember

The world's oldest lived-in castle

Windsor has been continuously occupied by English and British monarchs since William the Conqueror's time — no gaps, no abandonment.

The Round Tower's secret hill

The tower sits on the very same earth mound William built in 1070, even though the stone tower itself was added a century later.

A huge fire in 1992

A fire burned for 15 hours and damaged over 100 rooms. It took five years of careful restoration work to put right.

The biggest inhabited castle on Earth

By floor area, Windsor is the largest occupied castle in the world — it covers around 13 acres.

Home of the Order of the Garter

Founded in 1348 by Edward III, this is the oldest order of chivalry in Britain, and its ceremonies still happen at St George's Chapel.

A modern royal wedding venue

St George's Chapel has hosted royal weddings and funerals, including that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.

Questions kids ask

William the Conqueror started building it around 1070, not long after becoming King of England. It began as a wooden fort on a mound and was later rebuilt in stone.

Yes. It's the oldest continuously occupied castle in the world, and it's still an official residence of the British monarch, used for both state occasions and private life.

The Round Tower sits on the original mound William the Conqueror built the castle on. It was rebuilt in stone in the 1170s and made taller in the 1800s.

A huge fire burned for 15 hours and badly damaged over 100 rooms, including St George's Hall. It took five years to fully restore the damage.

It's the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain, founded by King Edward III in 1348. Its spiritual home is St George's Chapel at Windsor.

Yes, the ceremony takes place on selected days, with soldiers in traditional uniforms marching and swapping duty to music from a military band.

Test your castle knowledge

Five quick questions. Tap an answer to see if you're right.

1. Who first built Windsor Castle?

2. What makes Windsor Castle unusual compared to most other castles?

3. What happened at Windsor Castle in 1992?

4. What is the Order of the Garter?

5. What sits on top of the original earth mound at Windsor?

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