Chauffeur Tour - Windsor & Eton

Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, is the largest inhabited castle in the world and, dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, is the oldest in continuous occupation. The castle's floor area is approximately 484,000 square feet (about 45,000 square metres).

Together with Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, it is one of the principal official residences of the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II spends many weekends of the year at the castle, using it for both state and private entertaining. Her other two residences, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle, are the Royal Family's private homes.

Most of the Kings and Queens have had a direct influence on the construction and evolution of the castle, which has been their garrison fortress, home, official palace, and sometimes their prison. The castle's history and that of the British monarchy are inextricably linked. Chronologically the history of the castle can be traced through the reigns of the monarchs who have occupied it. When the country has been at peace, the castle has been expanded by the additions of large and grand apartments; when the country has been at war, the castle has been more heavily fortified. This pattern has continued to the present day.

Eton College, also known simply as Eton, is a world-famous British independent school for boys, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. It was founded as the King's College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor.

Eton has a very long list of distinguished former pupils, including eighteen former British Prime Ministers. Traditionally, Eton has been referred to as "the chief nurse of England's statesmen", and is often described as the most famous public school in the world.

Celebrations

Arguably, Eton's best known holiday takes place on the so-called "Fourth of June", a celebration of the birthday of King George III, Eton's greatest patron. This day is celebrated with The Procession of Boats, in which the top rowing crews from the top four years row past in vintage wooden rowing boats. The "Fourth of June" is no longer actually celebrated on 4 June every year, but instead is held the Wednesday before the first weekend of June. Eton also observes St. Andrew's Day, traditionally used to play the unique Eton wall game.