We found the town of Windsor had changed very little in the decades since we'd last visited it. Thames Street now boasts a Starbucks, a Macdonald's, and a Burger King. We preferred to lunch in a more traditional establishment, where we could order a sausage roll and a pasty--both extremely tasty.
We paused on the bridge to admire the view of the Thames. There has been a bridge spanning the river for centuries, the present one dates from the 1820's.
Windsor High Street, decorated for Christmas. It is the site for many old coaching inns, such as the George, B&B's, antique shops and boutiques.
St. Albans Street. The red brick building is now the Education Centre. The stone building is the part of the Queen's Mews. This was formerly the site of the residence in which the duke and duchess in my book lived--the property was given to Nell Gwynn by Charles II. In the 18th century is was sold to George III, who re-developed it for his own uses.
Postal history abounds in Windsor. This blue pillar box (which no longer accepts letters) dates from 1911. It commemorates the very first UK aerial post, which celebrated the coronation of George V.
This pillar box dates from Queen Victoria's day. It's an unusual green version--though different from the original green colour. Red wasn't used until 1874, for better visibility. The novelist Anthony Trollope, whose day job was working for the General Post Office, introduced the concept of pillar boxes which at that time were only used on Jersey in the Channel Islands.
The Crooked House of Windsor, also known as Market Cross House, sits near the Guildhall. It's a tea shop nowadays.
The Guildhall was built in 1686. In 1707, niches were made on top, one has Queen Anne, and on this side is her husband, Prince George of Denmark. Saturday markets used to be held in the open area beneath. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, aka Charles and Camilla, had their civil marriage ceremony here, prior to the blessing service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.
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