Windsor Castle, St. George's Chapel and
Queen Mary's Dolls' House 100th Anniversary Small Group Private Tour
Thursday 20th June 2024, 10.30am to c. 7.45pm
We had a wonderful day consisting of a self-guided tour of
Windsor Castle State Apartments and St. George's Chapel, followed by a small group private talk and a viewing of
Queen Mary's Dolls’ House in its 100th Anniversary year.
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Our visit started with a 1.5hr self-guided tour of Windsor Castle State Apartments and St. George's Chapel:
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We explored the opulent State Apartments, used for official functions and ceremonies - full of exquisite furnishing, paintings and historical artifacts. Don't miss St. George's Hall, which is the largest room in the castle, and often used for banquets.
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We also visited St. George’s Chapel, a stunning example of Gothic architecture with its beautiful fan-vaulted ceiling. We were able to see the chapel’s interior, including the choir stalls, stained glass windows, and the tomb of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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We then gathered in The Rampart Room, for some refreshments and an introductory talk, followed by a tour of Queen Mary's Dolls' House, set in its own specially designed room and decorated to resemble a miniature art gallery. This part of the visit was solely for our group which enabled us to admire in comfort the intricate details of the dolls house, and to marvel at the sheer scale of the project.
For 100 years visitors to Windsor Castle have been astonished by the attention to detail of this one of a kind royal town
house. Together with hundreds of household objects, each reproduced at a 1:12 scale, the house features working lifts, electric lighting and running water. Its library contains tiny books specially written by the greatest authors of the day, and the wine cellar contains miniature bottles of wine and spirits, created to exacting standards. These tiny bottles can even be opened, requiring a special tool provided in the cellar!
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was built between 1921 and 1924 for Queen Mary, the consort of King George V. The house was designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and was never intended for children, but rather to
showcase the best of British art and design after the First World War, and it involved contributions from approximately 1,500 leading artists, craftsmen, and manufacturers of the early 20th century. This incredible creation captures a specific period in the history of the British Royal Family, reflecting the changing world of the 1920s. It's not just a museum piece; it’s a complete museum in its own right, showcasing British craftsmanship at its finest and is a testament to the skill and dedication of the artisans who brought it to life!
For the first time, groups will explore the story of the house, its contents, and how modern conservators meticulously care for this world in miniature, followed by a private viewing without the crowds.
Our Itinerary
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Transport: Luxury minibus
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Pick-up Point: All Saints Church, Pembroke Road, Clifton, BS8 3ED.
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Date/Time: Thursday 20th June 2024, 10.30am to c. 8.00pm
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Itinerary:
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10.30am - Depart All Saints Church; journey to Windsor
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12.30pm - Lunch in Windsor: own arrangements - you can bring your own picnic lunch, or eat in Windsor where there are any number of restaurants, cafés and pubs to choose from, all within a short stroll from Windsor Castle.
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2.30pm - Arrival at Windsor Castle and begin self-guided tour of State Apartments and St George’s Chapel.
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During this time, you can also visit the gift shop and stop for refreshments at The Undercroft Café. Named after Edward III’s medieval Undercroft, the café is one of the oldest surviving spaces in the 1,000-year-old Windsor Castle.
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4.00pm - Gather at The Rampart Room for refreshments
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4.15pm - Introductory talk
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4.45pm - Walk to Queen Mary's Dolls' House for a private view
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5.30pm - Depart Windsor Castle and join minibus; return journey to Bristol
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7.45-8.00pm - Arrive back at All Saints
