Windsor

Why go

Now known as Cumberland Lodge after the Duke of Cumberland's residence there in the mid 18th century, the house was variously known as Byfield House, New Lodge, Ranger's Lodge, Windsor Lodge and Great Lodge. By the late 12th century the settlement at Windelsora was renamed Old Windsor.

What to look for

• King Henry married his second wife at Windsor Castle in 1121, after the White Ship disaster.
• The poet Geoffrey Chaucer held the honorific post of 'Clerk of the Works' at Windsor Castle in 1391.
• "New Windsor" was officially renamed "Windsor" in 1974.

The full story

The town is situated 23 miles (37 km) west of Charing Cross, London, 7 miles (11 km) south east of Maidenhead, and 21 miles (34 km) east of Reading. The village of Old Windsor, just over 2 miles (3 km) to the south, predates what is now called Windsor by around 300 years; in the past Windsor was formally referred to as New Windsor to distinguish the two. Etymology Windlesora is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. (The settlement had an earlier name but this is unknown.) The name originates from old English Windles-ore or winch by the riverside. By 1110, meetings of the Great Council, which had previously taken place at Windlesora, were noted as taking place at the Castle – referred to as New Windsor, probably to indicate that it was a two ward castle/borough complex, similar to other early castle designs, such as Denbigh.

Your next visit

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