A Local's Guide to Windsor Castle

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little more about what you do on the Great West Way:

Hello! My name is Holly and I am a Warden at Windsor Castle. I work with an amazing team of individuals within the Visitor Services department, welcoming visitors from across the globe and sharing the history of the Castle and the treasures of the Royal Collection. Comprised of over one million objects, the Royal Collection is a vast and eclectic collection of objects, a large proportion of which finds its home with us at Windsor Castle and is not limited to one specialism. With one of the largest and most significant collections of art in the world including works by artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck, and Holbein, a showcase of arms and armour, and a vast porcelain collection, there is something for everyone with a love for history and the arts.

It was Queen Victoria who officialized the role of the Warden taking care of visitors to the State Apartments. I love that our role has such a rich history and connection to the Castle!

What do you love most about your job?

I don’t think it’s possible to pinpoint one specific thing, considering the sheer amount that makes up the experience of working at Windsor Castle. It goes without saying that a huge highlight is the Castle itself and getting to work in such a beautiful and historic setting. It is one of a kind and can never be replicated or found anywhere else. I never forget that and personally, I am constantly in awe of the Castle with its historical context and what it continues to represent today.

Do you work with a wider team? If so, tell us a bit about them:

I work with incredible individuals who make up the Warden team. I love being able to share these remarkable surroundings and moments with such an amazing team and community, full of so many wonderful people who don’t realise just how amazing they are and how much of a privilege it is to work with them. I love watching the team impart their knowledge and passion to visitors and seeing the impact they have to those coming to experience the Castle. Without them, it would be very hard to showcase as much of the Royal Collection and Castle’s history to the standard with which they do, bringing stories to life and making them accessible to so many visitors. It is hard not to be really proud of that.

What’s a typical day like for you?

No day is ever the same at the Castle! As an official royal and working residence, there is always something going on, and let’s not forget St George’s Chapel which also finds its home within the Castle walls, steeped in its own history and with its own very important role to play in supporting the monarchy. With over 955 years of history, there is always something new to learn or notice.

From running tours, experiencing Changing the Guard, working at royal events such as Garter Day or welcoming guests to the Investiture ceremonies, the Castle is a hive of activity. The Warden team is always adapting to this, but one thing remains the same: we navigate every scenario with the unyielding wish to play a small role in helping visitors and guests alike to make unforgettable memories.

What do you find inspiring day-to-day? What keeps the enthusiasm going?

It’s the people who make it for me. The Castle community is very special and key to our identity as a site and there is always something to learn from each other. We all keep each other going, encouraging one another to expand our knowledge, and there is always someone to bring a smile to my face or make me laugh! Within my own team alone, there is so much breadth of knowledge and skills so there is always something new to learn. We all pride ourselves on what we do and that really helps us to strive even further in what we can offer visitors, especially highlighting the hidden stories of the Castle. Trust me, there are loads!

Although it has an integral role to play in matters of state and acts as an international stage for so many pivotal moments in our national history, at the heart of it, the Castle is a home. The Pantomime pictures of the Waterloo chamber are a perfect example of that. Hidden behind the Lawrence portraits which adorn the chamber, stand pictures of fairytale and nursery rhyme characters which were pasted into the voids when the portraits were taken down during the Second World War. At the time her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Princess Elizabeth, along with her sister Princess Margaret, used the space to perform pantomimes to raise money for the war effort. It was a whole community effort, with people from across the Household, Castle, and local community, coming together to raise morale and money for charity.

As a team we love bringing stories to life for visitors and encourage them to look past what they are immediately seeing to understand the hidden layers of the Castle and what has come before.

Any interesting or funny anecdotes related to your role or your experiences with visitors that you can share?

As a team we are not at a loss for interesting or funny moments! However, it is the really special and magical moments which stay in my mind, and there really are so many of them. I remember standing in St George’s Hall, one of the rooms damaged by the fire of 1992 and included in the restoration that followed. I began talking to a gentleman and he explained that he had been part of the team who had worked on the redesign of the room.

This was invaluable, and I loved getting to learn more about his experience. Beyond that though, it was so special to witness his return to the Castle with his grandchildren to show them what he had been a part of, and the pride with which he shared his memories with them. As a team, we are witness to so many poignant, once-in-a-lifetime moments that form precious memories for visitors to look back on.

Travelling along the Great West Way

Do you have any insider tips or advice for travelers who want to experience the touring route ‘like a local’? What do you think makes the Great West Way special?

Like many parts of the Great West Way, there is so much natural beauty in Windsor with so much historical background which makes it so special. There is something for everyone: whether that be history and heritage, nature, independent artisans, or biking and walking trails. Beyond the Castle itself, there is much that Windsor as a town has to offer.

Running along the north side of the Castle there is the River Thames with plenty of walking and biking routes, beyond which is the village of Eton. Home to Eton College, it’s a great place to walk and discover the links between Windsor Castle and the history of how the college came to be. With a whole host of local independent cafés and restaurants, it is a great place to spend the day relaxing, taking in the scenic views over an ice cream or cup of coffee. Boat rides operate along the river too, where there is a service which takes you out to the historic site of Runnymede where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215. Of course there is the Great Park too.

Any secret, lesser-visited spots you’d like to recommend?

If people are interested in the surrounding history of the Castle, the Great Park is an amazing place to visit. It is an extension of the Castle and a backdrop on which the Castle is set with its own deep history. It is peaceful, and a beautiful place to take a walk and a lovely way to escape the busier town centre. I find Queen Anne's ride to be a nice scenic journey into the Great Park. Running parallel to the Long Walk, it is a lesser-known spot but just as beautiful and takes you to the heart of the village within the Great Park.

Alternatively, you can loop back round from the top of Queen Anne’s Ride and back down the Long Walk, stopping first to take a look at the Copper horse, a monument to George III, before admiring the views of the Castle and, weather permitting, all the way to London. From the Long Walk, it’s as if you were seeing the Castle as it was designed by George IV: internally, a royal palace, but at its roots an unmistakable and very proud medieval fortress which has survived for over 955 years, adapting to serve the shifting trends of society whilst offering a continuous thread of continuity and stability which continues to make history today.

Plan your next visit to Windsor Castle today.