Table of Contents
History
If you’re planning a visit to Windsor Castle in England, you’ll want to make sure that there is somewhere suitable for you to swim. After all, the castle is surrounded by water on all sides, and it would be a shame to arrive at the gates and find that the pool has closed for the day. So, let’s take a quick look at the history of the castle’s pool.
Origins
The origins of the castle’s pool date back to pre-Roman times. At that time, there was a lake near where the castle stands today, which presumably served as a source of freshwater. The lake was fed by underground springs, and those springs continue to provide much of the water for the castle today. Around AD 70, a visiting Roman named Lucius called the area Loidis Avitus, which roughly translates to “Field of Avitus,” after the Roman emperor who came from this region. His descendants are the current owners of the castle. The name of the pool is believed to have derived from one of those descendants of Lucius. The Romans built a road around the perimeter of the lake in order to make the journey from Gloucester to Wroxeter (the Roman equivalent of what is now called Woodstock) more convenient. The Romans also built a temple to the goddess Venus on the northern side of the lake, which was subsequently abandoned during the reign of Constantine the Great (AD 306–337). During that time, Christianity became the dominant religion in the region. The temple was transformed into a church, which was then renamed Saint George’s Church in honor of the patron saint of England. As the Normans took over from the Romans, they too built a road around the perimeter of the lake as a means of traveling between London and southern regions of England. The lake was then known as “The Mere.”
The Edwardian Era
The first recorded mention of a swimming pool at the castle came about during the Edwardian era, in the late 1800s. It is not known who was the first person to swim at the castle, but it is believed that it was either Her Majesty Queen Victoria or Prince Albert, who both liked to swim and were keen on having a pool at the royal residence. It is also possible that the couple hired sports instructors from Scotland to teach them how to swim. In any event, it seems that the need for a pool became quite pressing, as the couple are recorded as having had one built with native English oak and Scottish fir. They are also believed to have had an aviary built above the pool, although sadly, this building no longer stands.
World Wars I and II
From roughly 1914 to 1918, Windsor saw a large influx of guests as a result of World Wars I and II. The castle was used as a military hospital during the First World War, while the German Army occupied the building. The hospital treated men who were injured in battle and also had patients who suffered from neuromuscular diseases. It was reportedly one of the most respected medical institutions in England at that time. After the war, some of the soldiers who had been treated there decided to stay. The castle’s pool was still fully functioning, and it became a popular place for the soldiers to swim. The hospital closed in the late 1930s and was replaced by a series of military buildings. World War II was a different story. The Second World War saw a big increase in casualties suffered, and the entire town of Windsor saw a large-scale evacuation during the height of the fighting. Many of the casualties were due to aerial bombing, and the castle’s pool was one of the first buildings to be hit. Fortunately, there were no deaths reported in connection with the bombing, but the damage was extensive. The roof was caved in, several walls were cracked, and the lake was almost completely drained. Luckily, the damage was mostly cosmetic, and the pool still functioned. The following year, much of the town was destroyed by enemy action. However, the castle’s pool escaped damage and continued to function as a resort. After the war, the army that had occupied the hospital during World War I were moved out, and the townspeople returned.
Post-War Restoration
After the Second World War, the castle’s pool was closed for some time as the town’s infrastructure was repaired. It was not until the early 1960s that the pool reopened under the supervision of the Royal Navy. The navy was responsible for security when the Queen visited the town during the early 1960s, and it was during one of those visits that the Queen learned about the castle’s swimming pool. In any event, a small part of the renovation included the restoration of the pool, which the navy had closed for many years. It was also at that time that the Queen had the dam that previously held back the lake repaired.
Present Day
Since the Queen’s visit, the pool has remained closed to the public, but access for residents has been permitted. The townspeople have been enjoying the benefits of the pool for years. There have been no reports of any harmful effects due to the town’s use of the pool, and the Queen has approved of the renovations that have taken place. Since the renovation, the castle’s waterfall has been integrated into the design, and it now leads directly into the pool. The entire area around the pool has also been revamped, with new seating areas, a tree-lined walkway, and a sundeckside terrace now enjoying existence. Although the pool is still not open to the public, it is regularly used by residents and visitors to the castle for exercise and relaxation.