From royal banquets and hidden doors to one of the most famous fires in British history, there was plenty to discover at Lynwood Care Centre as our Dementia Reminiscence Series continued with a fascinating virtual tour of Windsor Castle.
On Friday 7th August, we were delighted to welcome Roxanne from the Royal Collection Trust to Lynwood for an interactive talk exploring the history, stories and secrets of Windsor Castle.
Our event was open to residents, families and members of the local community, and offered much more than a traditional history talk. Roxanne took us behind the walls of the castle, sharing stories about its grand State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, royal banquets and the people who have called Windsor home over the centuries.
One of the most fascinating parts of the afternoon explored the devastating Windsor Castle fire of 1992. Roxanne shared photographs and stories from the restoration, including how much of the original material was carefully recovered and reused, and how a project initially expected to take ten years was completed in just five.
There were plenty of lighter moments too. We discovered some of the extraordinary details hidden inside Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, from working lifts and flushing toilets to miniature books, paintings and even real wine in its tiny cellar. Roxanne also shared stories from behind the scenes of royal banquets, including the incredible amount of preparation that goes into setting the tables at Windsor Castle.
Here are just a few of our favourite moments from the day:

For many in the room, however, the afternoon was also an opportunity to reminisce.
Stories of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her affection for Windsor, memories of the 1992 fire and familiar sights from inside the castle prompted conversation throughout the session. Our guests were encouraged to share what they remembered, answer questions and add their own experiences along the way.
This is exactly what our Dementia Reminiscence Series at Lynwood is all about. By bringing familiar people, places and moments from the past into our home, we can create opportunities for conversation, connection and shared memories, while welcoming our wider community to be part of them too.
And our journey certainly isn’t over yet.
So far, our Dementia Reminiscence Series has welcomed a Chelsea Pensioner, the Royal British Legion and now the Royal Collection Trust for a fascinating journey through Windsor Castle.
The afternoon may even have sparked an idea for a future adventure of our own…
Who will be joining us next?
In the meantime, our next Dementia Reminiscence event takes place on Friday 2nd October.
We’ve already explored some incredible stories and memories together… but who will be joining us next?
Register your interest for our future Reminiscence Sessions by emailing Alison on AlisonS@goldcarehomes.com or calling her on 07842 432271.
