Inside Windsor Castle’s Inner Hall – closed by Queen Victoria in 1866 but now open to the public
Closed by Queen Victoria, the 14th century Inner Hall has undergone a renovation and is finally being opened to the public after 150 years
After more than 150 years, the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle has finally reopened to the public.
According to the BBC, Inner Hall was originally built in the 1820s by King George IV. He used it as a State Entrance Hall, a place to greet his guests.
But it was Queen Victoria who, in 1866, closed the Inner Hall, hoping to build a smaller State Entrance. Ultimately, her intention never came to fruition. Instead the Inner Hall remained closed and was used as a storage room throughout the following decades.
Now, the Royal Collection Trust has announced the Inner Hall has reopened. The project is part of the Future Programme, a series by the Trust to “enhance the visitor experience at Windsor Castle”, according to a statement released by the Royal Collection Trust.
The Inner Hall is in a part of Windsor Castle that dates back to the 14th century, when King Edward III transformed the castle from a military fortress into a Gothic palace. Since then, it has been in use as one of many British royal residences.
Here's what the Inner Hall looks like today.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle has been in use for more than 900 years. It was first established as a royal residence in 1110 by King Henry I. The Inner Hall is in a part of the castle which dates back to the mid-14th century, when King Edward III had turned Windsor into a palace.
Here's what it looks like today, post-renovations:
