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Windsor Castle

Background

Still the largest and oldest inhabited castle anywhere in the world, the grounds cover over 300 acres and the site of the castle itself was selected by William the Conqueror. It is still used by the Royal family and is one of the Queen's favourite palaces, and is used often for State and ceremonial occasions.

Its magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection. You can see paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough. The Castle is also home to the famous St George's Chapel, and you can watch the changing of the Guard at certain times during the day.

Set in Windsor itself it is a fine example of an English castle.

Opening dates & times

• March to October: 09:45 - 5:15pm (last admission 4:00pm)
• November to February: 09:45 - 4:15pm (last admission 3:00pm)
• 4 April 2010: 13:00 - 5:15pm (last admission 4:00pm)

Timing your visit A typical visit lasts two to three hours.

The Castle will be closed:

• 2 April 2010
• 14 June 2010
• 25-26 December 2010

The State Apartments are closed:

• 11-22 January 2010
• 26 February 2010
• 6 April 2010
• 13 April 2010
• 7 May 2010
• 12-15 June 2010

Admission Prices (2010 rates)

• Adult £16.00
• Over 60/Student (with valid ID) £14.50
• Under 17 £9.50
• Under 5 FREE
• Family £42.00 (2 adults and 3 under 17s)

For more information on the Palace www.royalcollection.org.uk

Further information and ticket sales are available from the Ticket Sales and Information Office for the Official Residences of The Queen on 020 7766 7300, or use the e-mail booking link on bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk

Getting there

To get there will involve using the M25/M4 or some pretty circuitous A roads. The route planner from the AA suggests using the M1 and joining the M25 that way, although you can use the A1(M) or cut across country from Hatfield toward North Watford on the A414 and join at Junction 19 which will save you some hold ups. Whichever way you go you leave the M25 on the M4 and the castle is clearly signposted.

Journey time from Shefford: 1hr 14mins (55 miles, but allow for the M25).

No postcode available for the castle but it is situated on Windsor High Street.

Wrest Park

Wrest Park is a Grade 1 listed building with one of the most magnificent gardens in the country. The old home of the De Grey family the building dates back to 1839, when it was built on the site of the original manor house. The gardens, based on the gardens at the Palace of Versailles in France, are also Grade 1 listed. The grounds are ideal for a picnic or just a good explore with an orangery, statues and an old bath house hidden away by the stream. The gardens lead to an ornamental lake and at the end of the lake there is another old ornamental building which you can climb to the top of for some very impressive views.

Entry/Admission (2010 rates):

Wrest Park is now owned and managed by English Heritage, and members of English Heritage will get FREE admission.

• Adults: £5.50
• Children: £2.80
• Family Tickets: £13.80

More information can be found on the English Heritage website: www.english-heritage.org.uk or contact the park office on 01525 860152.

Getting there

The park is situated 10 miles South of Bedford just off the A6 in the village of Silsoe.

The post code is: MK45 4HR

Journey time from Shefford: 15mins (5 miles).

Hatfield House

Famous as the place where Queen Elizabeth 1st was told of her ascension to the throne of England and also as the home of one of the very few original "Real Tennis" courts in the country. Hatfield House is a stately home situated in the Old Town of Hatfield, approx one mile from the New Town area, directly opposite Hatfield Railway Station.

A Royal Palace has stood on the site from 1845 and the present house was built in 1607. The woodlands and park are glorious on a summer’s day, and you can view the house as well. The entire estate shuts for the winter, reopening in April.

More details

For more details look at the Hatfield House website or call 01707 287010.

The postcode for the SatNav is AL9 5NQ. Journey time from Shefford: 40mins (26 miles.)

Knebworth House

More famous today for its rock concerts, Knebworth House stands just off junction 7 of the A1(M) and is the home to the Lyton-Cobbold family. A gothic style house, used in many films (The Shooting Party, The Big Sleep with Robert Mitchum and as "Stately Wayne Manor" in one of the early Batman series) with many acres of parkland surrounding it. Home to different craft fairs and events all through the summer the park has free roaming deer and an adventure fort for children.

More details

More information regarding opening times and admission charges, together with listings of forthcoming events, can be found on the Knebworth House website or by contacting the estate office on 01438 612661.

Post code for the SatNav SG3 6PY. Journey time from Shefford, avoiding the motorway: 35mins (13 miles.) Going south on the A1(M) it is 25mins (16 miles.)