Windsor, home to royalty and Legoland UK; enough to demand a visit. On the day in question Legoland was fully booked, but the castle wasn’t. What should I take from that? Could it be that fun parks hold more interest than history and royalty? That we prefer bright colours to greys and golds? Or that we like active entertainment and something we can relate to in our daily lives, rather than pomp and ceremony? The answer turned out to much more simple.
Whilst we couldn’t get into the full Legoland, the mini-golf, or Adventure golf as they call it, had slots available. Who could pass up an opportunity of attempting to sink balls into impossible holes, especially on a cold misty morning?
The drive into the Lego complex holds it’s own surprises.
Adventure golf is indoors, surprisingly spacious, and not nearly as noisy as I expected. They offer four themed courses, and filter players through to avoid over-crowding. Windsor castle could learn a thing or two about crowd control from them.
Despite Lego city, a medieval village, and a foray into the world of pirates being available, we chose to tee off into outer Space.
Being amongst Lego models which I have completed smaller versions of at home is an absolute delight. The bricks here though are glued in place, which is probably fairly wise.
While waiting for our slot, I couldn’t resist playing with the Lego on offer in trays near the entrance, being a child at heart!
Then, tee off! At the first mat, one of our group sunk a hole in one, casting serious doubt over my unstated aspirations of a win. Each hole presented it’s own challenges, and despite great technical discussion and studious deconstruction of the layout, my balls often went wherever they pleased. The team in front of us was quite slow, which gave us a wonderful opportunity to play each of our holes twice without guilt, though only our first attempts went onto the score card.
There’s something about mini golf which levels the playing field, and raises the laughter output. Certainly remembering my time there brings a smile.
Oh, and the winner? Me, of course! Dumb luck has to be on my side once in a while…..
Leaving the Adventure park behind, we headed into Windsor township. Earlier in the day the mist had revealed Windsor castle in ghost-like glimpses, but now the sun shone on sturdy stone and wrought-iron gates.
Looking for lunch, we wandered into arcades and past shops designed to catch the purse-strings of royal-mad visitors. Everything from portraited mugs to tiny English flags, Paddington bears to castle puzzles. Down a covered street an unexpected temporary display of birds of prey, including owls, for the public to hold and learn from.
Lunch turned out to be a delight of excellent hot food served almost pub-style in the upstairs area of a restaurant which hadn’t looked overly exciting from outside. The range of foods and quality were just superb.
Thoroughly pleased with our day so far, we headed to Windsor castle. I was expecting the hallmarks of a royal home; history, respect and high organisation.
Sadly it was not to be. There was tension in the air, caused by harried staff trying to deal with an overwhelming number of visitors. Queues were long, especially to get to see the dolls house. At the beginning we were allocated handheld devices to play as we entered each area. These were full of interesting detail about items of interest, though there’s something amusing about watching great crowds of people all holding big ugly devices to their ears!
Photos are not allowed in the castle, so you will have to trust me when I tell you that the arms displays, royal dinner sets, and views from the castle are just magnificent. Fighting or ceremonial arms, whether swords or rifles, sit high on a wall in patterns so as to be a work of art. Row after row of dinner sets used by royalty for history-making formals showcase porcelain ware, and we are reminded that much of this is still used on occasion. From the stories around the fire of 1992, (especially the tale of the chandelier), and subsequent rebuild, to the displays of gifts to the royal family from all over the world, and the beautiful cannons outside, there is much to remark upon.
Queen Mary’s doll’s house deserves more time than I was able to spend there. No child’s plaything, this intricate building has working pipelines, and detail far beyond any miniature model-making I’ve ever seen. The building is an extraordinary size, being eight and a half feet by five feet, and stretching to four floors plus a basement, giving a glimpse of life into the workings of a 1920’s stately home. Approx. 1500 artists, craftsmen etc. were involved in it’s creation.
Looking for a toilet, I asked a staff member, who very pleasantly pointed me in the right direction. However, when I got there another staff member barred my way, saying the toilets were closed. When I asked why, she very rudely said it was so staff could all go home on time. Windsor castle was packing up for the day, and a visitors need for a toilet was irrelevant.
Windsor Castle is worth visiting, but try to go in the early morning, to avoid the feeling of being shunted out and missing some points of interest. Plan for long waits, and you will be fine.
Then, in the fading light, stop a moment to take a last look….
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