Where: Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1NJ (Windsor is 20 miles west of central London).

What: Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of the Queen and is the former home of the Queen Mother. It has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years, is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation.

Windsor Castle has been named one of the Seven Wonders of Britain in a recent survey. Its imposing towers and battlements loom large from every approach to Windsor, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines.

Visitors to Windsor Castle can walk around the State Apartments - extensive suites of rooms at the heart of the working palace - and for part of the year visitors can also see the Semi State rooms, which are some of the most splendid interiors in the castle.

The semi-state rooms, open to the public for half of the year, were created by George IV in the 1820s as part of a new series of Royal Apartments for his personal occupation. They were damaged in the 1992 fire, but have now been restored to their original appearance. They contain furniture and works of art chosen by George IV including paintings by Holbein, Rubens, Van Dyck and Lawrence, fine tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour. They continue in use by The Queen for official entertaining.

Also within the Castle complex there are many additional attractions. For example, in the Drawings Gallery there are regular exhibitions of treasures from the Royal Library. Another popular feature is the Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a miniature mansion built to perfection. And the fourteenth-century St. George's Chapel is the burial place of ten British sovereigns, home of the Order of the Garter, and setting for many Royal weddings.

If the Queen is in residence the Royal Standard flies from the Round Tower. At all other times you will see the Union Flag. Expect to spend around 2 hours at the Castle.

Nearest station: Windsor Royal Station (from Paddington) or Windsor & Eton Riverside (from Waterloo).

Opening times : from 09:45 - 17:15 March to October (last admission 16:00). From 09:45 - 16:15 November to February (last admission 15:00). Between 1 October 2005 and March 2006, the semi-state rooms will be open to the public.

Note: although the castle is open all year round, opening arrangements may change at short notice. This is particular so in June, when there are regular annual official engagements.

Admission prices : (2005) Adults £12.50, Children £6.50, Seniors £10.50, Family tickets (2 adults & up to 3 under 17s) £31.50. During closures of the State Apartments Adults £6, Children £3.50, Seniors £5 and Family tickets £15.

Hotels in Windsor: Superbreak offer a good selection of hotels in or near Windsor

Telephone: 020 7766 7304

More information: www.royalcollection.org.uk