Residents and visitors will have the chance to discover the Royal Borough’s unique heritage through a series of exciting and informative events at the first ever Heritage Discovery Week.
The week, which is part of the borough’s celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, runs from Saturday 10 September to Sunday 18 September. It will feature a range of free and paid events, providing an ideal opportunity to discover more about the rich and varied history of the Royal Borough.
The week will begin with free access to explore The Windsor Guildhall on Saturday 10 September. Visitors can step inside to experience the grandeur of the Council Chamber, including the large collection of royal portraits and the chandeliers on loan from The Queen. There will also be the opportunity to see other unique architectural features of this Grade I listed building, including the stained-glass windows in the Ascot Room. Timed entry slots will be available between 1.30pm and 2.45pm and 4.15pm and 5.30pm.
After your visit, you will be able to enjoy a drink outside on the Corn Market, which will be transformed into a paid bar area with tables and chairs from 2pm to 6pm.
A guided VIP tour of The Guildhall, hosted by experts from the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, will take place the same day from 3pm to 4pm and includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival. Tickets cost £12, or £10 for Advantage Card holders.
Drinks, dinner and afternoon tea events with renowned speakers will be held at The Guildhall throughout the week.
Leslie Grout, who has extensive knowledge of historical Windsor, will give a talk on the Secrets of the Cranbourne Tower on Tuesday 13 September. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of fizz in the museum at 6.30pm and will have the opportunity to see items on display before the talk on the Grade II listed royal lodge from 7.30pm. Tickets range from £5 to £10, with discounts for Advantage Card holders, members of the Armed Forces and Friends of the Museum.
Biographer, lecturer and broadcaster Hugo Vickers will speak about the highlights of The Queen’s long connection with Windsor and the achievements of her 70-year reign on Wednesday 14 September from 7.15pm. Tickets are £75 per person and include the talk, a three-course meal in the Council Chamber and half a bottle of wine per person.
Terry Pendry, who has held the position of Stud Groom and Manager to The Queen at The Royal Mews, Windsor Castle for the last 28 years, will give a talk entitled All the Queen's Horses on Thursday 15 September. Tickets are £50 per person and includes afternoon tea with sandwiches, homemade cakes and tea and coffee.
A free local studies drop-in session will be held at Maidenhead Library on Tuesday 13 September from 10.30am to 12.30pm where visitors can view items held in the local collections and learn how local resources can be used to complete their research projects.
The Windsor and Royal Borough Museum will be open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, throughout the week with free entry available to all and free resources to help visitors discover more about local heritage.
Councillor Samantha Rayner, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for business, corporate & residents services, culture & heritage, & Windsor, said: “Our first ever Heritage Discovery Week is a fascinating and engaging way to continue our celebrations marking Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year and one I hope residents and visitors will take advantage of and enjoy. We are enormously proud to have The Queen as a resident of our borough and some of the events planned give a further insight into her long association with Windsor.
“We are fortunate to live in a borough rich in history and we have a range of events planned for the week, many taking place in the historic heart of our borough. This provides the perfect opportunity to discover and appreciate our unique heritage, so please do come along and find out more.”
Full details and how to book for all events, can be found on our website here: https://tickets.windsor.gov.uk/sales/arts-and-events/the-windsor-guildhall/events/royal-borough-heritage-discove