Windsor Castle, London

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a vibrant and historic city dating back nearly 2,000 years. It was founded in 43 AD by the Romans, who named it Londinium. At first, Londinium was a small military outpost, but given its location on the River Thames, it quickly became an important centre for trade and commerce. By the late 4th century, the Roman Empire was plagued by poor leadership, corruption, a weak military, and significant social problems. It was the beginning of the end of Roman rule, and by the early 5th century, they withdrew from Britain. London fell into rapid decline.

Anglo-Saxon immigrants from northern Europe rose to power for 500 years until the Norman conquest at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD. Led by William the Conqueror, the Norman-French army defeated the Anglo-Saxons in a bloody and brutal nine-hour battle. Marching into London, the city surrendered without resistance, and on Christmas day, William was crowned King of England.

After growing steadily through the Middle Ages, London was ravaged by the bubonic plague in the 14th century, then again in 1665 by the Great Plague, followed by the Great Fire in 1666. Despite these disasters, London has always found a way to bounce back. The establishment of the Bank of England in 1694 accelerated London's growth, swiftly becoming the financial capital of the world, a position that was previously held by Amsterdam of the Dutch Republic.

The Industrial Revolution and the expansion of the British Empire led to a population boom in 19th century London. To address the transportation issue in such a sprawling metropolis, London became the first city to develop an underground railway system. Called the London Underground or the Tube, the railway helped commuters living in the city's outskirts travel more efficiently to and from work and connected London to other parts of the country.

By the turn of the 20th century, London was a powerhouse. However, with the onset of World War I, followed by the Great Depression and World War II, London was significantly impacted, with many of its buildings, infrastructure, and people affected by the events. The city was slow to recover until the latter part of the century when new subcultures emerged. The 1970s Punk morphed into the 1980s New Wave, followed by the late 1990s Cool Britannia when British culture was celebrated in fashion, music, and the arts. British pop singer Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls band is famously remembered for wearing the Union Jack dress at the 1997 Brit Awards.

Today, London is a megacity with a population of over 8 million people. The city is home to a blend of ancient and modern architecture, with iconic landmarks like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace sitting alongside modern skyscrapers like the Shard and the Gherkin.

As I begin my journey through London, I will first head to Windsor to visit one of the most famous Royal residences, Windsor Castle. It is the largest inhabited castle in the world, with around 500 people working and living on the premises. It is also the longest-occupied royal palace in Europe.

Windsor Castle's chronology spans over 900 years, beginning with its timber construction in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. The fortifications were later replaced with stone when the Round Tower, with stunning countryside views, was added.

The Great Kitchen is the oldest working kitchen in the country. It has been preparing elaborate dinners for 750 years. It is especially renowned for the 30-course banquets during the reign of George IV and Queen Victoria.

West of the Round Tower is the superb St George Chapel. Built in the 14th century, it is the burial place of many British monarchs, including Henry VIII. The most impressive room in the castle is St George's Hall, measuring a staggering 182 ft (55.5m) long. Used as a ceremonial and dining space, the room can accommodate up to 162 guests for a seated banquet.

Since its foundation, the castle has been home to 40 monarchs and was Queen Elizabeth II's favourite royal residence. With her passing, the castle transferred into the care and ownership of King Charles III.

Now I am off to explore the stunning Hampton Court Palace.