Brits agree with the Queen: Windsor Castle is the nation's favourite
THE affection of the Queen for Windsor among her royal residences appears to be shared by the public, who have named it their best-loved castle.
The 1000-year-old castle has been voted the nation's favourite
The ancient royal seat – said to be the monarch's favourite home – is where the Queen chose to celebrate her 90th birthday on April 21.
Continuously lived in for almost 1,000 years, it is far removed from the military base William the Conqueror built on high ground to defend the western approach to London.
It has been transformed over the centuries by a string of monarchs into an archetypal romantic royal palace with turrets, towers, battlements and lavish apartments in a picturesque setting overlooking the Thames.
The Queen celebrated her 90th birthday at the ancient castle
Windsor Castle is not only the Queen's haven where she spends most weekends, but the setting for public duties, like hosting investiture ceremonies and welcoming visiting foreign heads of state.
The royal residence topped a poll commissioned by television on-demand service UKTV Play to launch The Castle Collection – programmes featuring castles, from Time Team to The Secret Lives Of The Tudors.
While still a princess, the Queen spent her war years at Windsor Castle
When a small girl, Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park was the country retreat of the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, her sister Princess Margaret and their parents.
The sisters spent their war years living at the castle for safety.
Edinburgh Castle also made the top 10
The majestic Leeds Castle was seventh on the list
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The Top 10
1 Windsor Castle
2 Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
3 Edinburgh Castle
4 Warwick Castle
5 Dover Castle, Kent
6 Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
7 Leeds Castle, Kent,
8 Caernarfon Castle, Wales
9 Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
10 Stirling Castle, Scotland