On Monday, 11th May, 28 Eye Matter members enjoyed an audio-described tour of Windsor Castle. Learning that it is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, which is open to visitors throughout the year. This visit was once again supported by the fantastic team from the Royal Collection Trust. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has been the home of 40 monarchs, providing lots of historical information for Eye Matter members to explore.
About the support provided by the Royal Collection Trust, Suzie wrote, “thrilled to visit Windsor Castle where we were met by Tori and Caroline and given the royal treatment, in a private room, of teas, coffees and biscuits. Here, Eye Matter handled someuniforms and flags. After a brief explanation about the day ahead and some historical facts, once inside the different rooms, Caroline was able to bring it all to life. She described the beautiful architecture of the castle, with vivid descriptions of ceilings, carpets, paintings and of course the history of the kings and queens that made changes along the way. This was a brilliant community outing, which was facilitated and hosted so beautifully by your team. We absolutely love working with the Royal Collection Trust and are so grateful for this brilliant team that clearly love their jobs and are such experts in their fields.”
Belinda said, “Truly an amazing place to visit. Our tour guides were lovely and informative. We were able to touch and feel numerous items, including lead glass that chandeliers were made from, fabrics, including samples of silk that lined the walls and sumptuous carpet. Will definitely go back again as there is so much to see.”
Darren V kindly left us a voice note thanking all the volunteers and helpers for a “thoroughly good day out at Windsor Castle.”
About the reviews and photos, Elsie commented, “How incredible. Wish I could have made it.”
Bushra added, “I visited Windsor Castle on Monday and had a really wonderful experience. It was amazing to see and even feel connected to the history through the objects and the beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere throughout the castle was unforgettable. The tour guides were brilliant and made the visit even more enjoyable with their knowledge and enthusiasm. I had a wonderful day with Eye Matter and truly enjoyed the whole trip.”
One of our sighted volunteers commented, “We had a lovely day out at Windsor Castle.Everyone who was involved from Windsor Castle was knowledgeable, very friendly, and it was wonderful to spend time with such lovely people throughout the day.
The guides at Windsor Castle were especially helpful and caring. They listened carefully to the needs of the group, were happy to chat, and made sure everyone stayed together and comfortable while moving around the castle. We were able to learn about, touch and feel the material and uniforms worn by the staff and see some beautiful rooms. We really did learn a lot during the visit, even making time for a quick stop at the end to the shop.
One suggestion for improvement would be the use of microphones and headphones for group tours, as it was sometimes difficult to hear the guide clearly. However, overall,the staff were thoughtful, supportive, and very aware of the needs of the group, which made the experience enjoyable and welcoming”