Introducing you to the Learning Centre and Castle Precincts Here are some pictures of our Team and the rooms in the Learning Centre and some information about the Castle Precincts Royal Collection Learning Welcome to Windsor Castle
When you arrive …. Your coach will drop you at the door. This is the reception area, where we will be waiting to greet you.
You will be met by one of our Wardens….. Aileen CathyPat
More of the Warden team … We have only one Warden on duty at the Learning Centre each day so it could be any one of these…. If you would like to know who will be here on the day of your visit, call us the week before, and we will happily tell you. Rita Geoff Alex
They will show you into your room for the day….. This room is called the Stalls. This room is called the Tack Room.
This large room is the Main Hall and the floor in here is very uneven, so you must be very careful...
Then you will meet the person who will give you your talk, it will be one of us…. Penny Catherine JoLesley
This is the way to the toilets here at the Learning Centre. If you are able to manage steps…then go through the main hall, and at the far end go up these steps and turn right when you pass through the door. There is access too for wheelchairs, up the slope. The Wardens will be happy to show you the way…
When you have been shown your room, and perhaps had a snack and a drink and used the toilets, you will make your way up to the Castle Admission Centre. This is the Group Hall and from this room you will be shown into… Going out the door you came into the centre and up the road, please mind the traffic!
…… the searching area, where you will be asked to put your bags through a machine, and walk through an archway, just like you do at the airport. Don’t forget to pick up your bags again.
Just before you show your tickets at the door there is a room to the right that if you need it is a changing room with a bed in it… If you do need to use this room, we will arrange that for you with the Security Supervisor.
When you pass outside, you are now in the Courtyard area. There are some steps on the left, and that is where the toilets are, and there is an accessible toilet here for you if you need it. There is a shop here too, in case you may wish to buy a Guidebook. Accessible toilet on right
When you are ready, go past this shop and through the archway. You will be going up rather a steep part of the hill here, if you have to push a wheelchair it will be quite hard, so take your time and be careful.
So when you are all ready make your way up the hill….it is quite steep so take your time……. Look at the walls of the Castle and look above the top of the Round Tower. The flag flying will tell you if The Queen is here or not.
You will make your way up the hill, passing the bandstand on your right, and going through St George’s Gate …can you spot the dragon? Look above the gateway with the wrought iron gates!
If you are having a talk, as you turn the corner into the Moat Road you will see the Moat Room…and someone will be there waiting to greet you.
After your talk you can go to the State Apartments and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. These are found by going to the North Terrace. But first before you go in…..if you need the toilet, there is one just by the Dolls’ House entrance. This is the way through the archway and on to the North terrace. And this is the way into the State Apartments. Entrance to the Dolls’ House is through the right hand door, and it will be open.
If you wish to see the Dolls’ house first you must go in through this door……… It is very dark in the Dolls’ House so be aware of this. ………… If you have students in wheelchairs in your group they will have been directed to Engine Court, and will be taken through this entrance and they will then meet you inside, at the top of the stairs at the entrance to the Dolls’ House.
As you leave the State Apartments there is an accessible toilet here in Engine Court. The toilet is just to the right of the shop, ask the Warden on duty to let you in, as he has the key. Before you leave this area look over at the grass quadrangle. Straight across from where you are standing are The Queen’s private apartments.
After you have left the State Apartments you may wish to visit St George’s Chapel, so make your way through the archway and down the Hill to the Chapel entrance.
If you need to use the accessible entrance there is a button to the right of the entrance. Someone will come and assist you when you press this.
Back to the Learning Centre As you leave the Chapel, don’t forget to look at the Guard Room and the soldier who will be on guard outside. The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place here outside the Guard Room on certain days. Please check with us when you arrive at the Learning Centre if it will be taking place on the day of your visit.
Back to school Your coach will return to the Learning Centre to collect you and drive you back to school……. This is the exit gate. Back at the Learning Centre.
We hope that you will enjoy your visit to the Castle and will visit us again soon. Updated Jan 2012