Windsor Castle and Eton College

Saturday a group of us took advantage of a "cultural activity" being offered by AIFS. We went on a day trip to Windsor Castle and Eton College. In Central London there are only palaces, so going to Windsor to see a castle was pretty cool. It is the oldest castle that is still used as a residence.

Unfortunately, we could not take pictures inside of any of the buildings, so you only get outside shots. The state rooms were absolutely gorgeous! And it is even more impressive that they are still used today. One big attraction at Windsor is Queen Mary's dollhouse which was built in the 1920s. It is a miniature replica of everything, with a ratio for 1 inch to 1 foot. Even more impressive is that everything in the house works! Plumbing, lights, vacuum, Louis Vuitton luggage...the list goes on.

I wonder if this is where we can learn about moats. I have always wanted one, so I should learn about them I guess.

The church on the grounds of Windsor Castle. It was absolutely beautiful.

At the castle.

We got to see the changing of the guard at Windsor Castle.

We even had front row spots to see the ceremony!

The Queen was home at the castle while we were there!

It was such a pretty day it looked like a picture needed to be taken while walking over the Thames River from Windsor to Eton.

Eton College is a very prestigious all boys school. Originally it was a place for free education for 70 boys that tested very high on entrance exams. Now, over 1,000 boys (ages 13-18) attend. They still must test very high to be admitted, but now it costs about 30,000 pounds a year to attend. This is also where Princes William and Harry attended school.

In the courtyard of Eton College.

The original classroom at Eton College. This is the oldest classroom in Europe (possibly the world) that is still being used today.