Windsor, Berkshire

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This article is about the English town. For other uses see Windsor

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Windsor (IPA: usually Template:IPA, but also Template:IPA) is a suburban town and tourist destination in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, South East England. It is best known as the site of Windsor Castle.

The town is situated 21 miles (34 km) west of Charing Cross. It is immediately south of the River Thames, which forms the boundary with Eton. The town is also known as New Windsor, to contrast it with Old Windsor, a couple of miles south.

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History

Windsor is first mentioned in mediaeval literature. The name originates from Winch-furnished-Riverbank. Soon after 1066 William the Conqueror selected a rocky outcrop on land owned by the manor of Clewer (west of Windsor) as the location for a defensive motte and bailey castle. The town gained the right to hold a market by 1261 (which is a sign of its status and royal patronage) and was granted borough status by Edward I's charter of 1277. The Shakespeare play "The Merry Wives of Windsor" is based in Windsor.

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Tourism

Windsor is a popular tourist destination and location of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British royal family. The castle was originally established by King William I of England but has been substantially altered and added to over the centuries.

As a result of the royal residence Windsor has facilities usually found in larger towns: two railway stations, a theatre and several substantial hotels. The town is also the location of Legoland, built on the site of Windsor Safari Park. On construction, several tons of hippo dung had to be removed from the enclosure used by the animals.

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Transport

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As well as bus links, and good road access from the M4 & A4 (via Slough and a 'Relief Road'), Windsor features two railway stations; Windsor and Eton Central station, and the Windsor and Eton Riverside station.

The first station provides a one-stop route to Slough, where there is access to trains into London Paddington, or out west to Maidenhead and as far as Bristol. The latter station provides a direct route (with stops, but no changes) to London Waterloo. Both stations were built at around the same time in the 19th Century as the two train companies who owned the lines at the time wanted to carry Queen Victoria to Windsor, with the first line opened gaining the privilege.

Windsor is linked to the town of Eton (which is situated on the opposite bank of the River Thames) by Windsor Bridge. Originally a fully trafficked road bridge, Windsor Bridge is now for pedestrians only and provides an excellent walking route from central Windsor to Eton's High Street. To the south of the town lies Windsor Great Park and the towns of Old Windsor, Egham and Virginia Water.

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Politics

The town is part of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and administered by an elected unitary authority. The mayor is Councillor Emrys Richards (Liberal Democrat).

The current MP for the Windsor constituency (which includes surrounding small towns and villages, such as Eton and Datchet) is Adam Afriyie (Conservative), who was elected at the 2005 General Election.

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See also

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External links

ang:Windlesōra de:Windsor (England) es:Windsor (Inglaterra) eo:Windsor (Anglio) nl:Windsor (Verenigd Koninkrijk) no:Windsor, England ru:Виндзор

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