The Upper Ward: The Royal Dwelling

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THE UPPER WARD: THE ROYAL DWELLING

From the Round Tower an archway leads to the North Terrace, which was formed by Queen Elizabeth I, and is on the verge of the precipitous bluff of chalk on which this part of the castle stands It is another view-point of the castle.

On the terrace is the entrance to the State Apartments, which comprise a range of some fifteen chambers - richly appointed and furnished, and adorned with valuable tapestries and pictures, arms and armour, and trophies - which are used for ceremonial purposes and for the residence of sovereigns and other high personages paying State visits to the castle.

Some of the finest carving of Grinling Gibbons is to be seen here. The pictures include superb collections of works by Rubens, Van Dyck, and other celebrated artists.

Among the apartments is the splendid St. George's Hall, the largest chamber in the castle, which is used for State banquets. Visitors are conducted through the apartments by official guides.

On leaving the North Terrace one should return to the Round Tower and pass to the left, and then right, to the Great Quadrangle (the exit from the State Apartments, which flank the north side of the quadrangle, is close by).

On the east (in front of one) are the Queen's Private Apartments, to the right are the Visitors' Apartments. The Queen's Private Apartments front on to the East Terrace.

The equestrian statue of Charles II in the quadrangle was presented to that sovereign by the Keeper of the King's Wardrobe, as a gift to "the best of Kings." Proceeding past St. George's Gateway, one comes out on to Castle Hill, by which the sovereigns and their guests enter and leave the castle, except on State occasions, when the Sovereign's Entrance from the Long Walk is used. Observe that the side of the Round Tower facing the Hill is not curved but flat

THE ROYAL MEWS

These are reached by a roadway leading off from the south side of Castle Hill. The features shown to the public are the Stables, the Riding School, and a coach-house that contains many interesting and historic vehicles.