Nell Gwynne’s Historic Medieval House Now A Chinese Restaurant
Look For The Plaque On Nell Gwynne's House Windsor At 4/6 Church Street Windsor
Windsor as we know it today grew up around Windsor Castle, built in the late 11th Century after the Norman invasion of 1066 by Norman The Conquerer. The medieval ‘Old Town’ thus grew up immediately outside the front gates of Windsor Castle.
Today the ‘Old Town’ of Windsor is a few short cobbled streets that are pleasing to the eye with ‘photo opportunities’. The area is totally devoted to attracting the tourists. It’s basically a mix of pubs, restaurants and tourist tat but still worth a few minutes of anyone’s time.
Just 50 yards from Windsor Castle at number 4/6 Church Street is Nell Gwynne’s House.
Who was Nell Gwynne?
Nell Gwynne was born in 1650 and died in 1687. She once sold oranges on the street until she got her first acting break in theatre. At 19, Nell became mistress to King Charles II (these royal Charles do seem to like their mistresses), and was the most popular of his long line of mistresses – not only with Charles, but with the public as well, partly thanks to her acting career. The Church Street address was very convenient for Charles and Nell bore the King two sons and died at 37.
Nell Gwynne`s House Chinese Restaurant
So as said before, all the medieval buildings are now let out to commercial retail outlets aimed at the passing tourists, ‘all in the best possible taste’ in a Disney kind of way. While a fictional Disney ‘Ye Olde Town of Royal Windsor’ might stretch the boundaries by including an Irish Pub, I don’t think even they would feature a Chinese Restaurant – unlike the real thing.
So today Nell Gwynne`s House Chinese Restaurant is little different to any other small Chinese Restaurant complete with takeaway and free home delivery service.
Price Check – Nell Gwynne`s Chinese Restaurant
Nell Gwynne`s Chinese Restaurant has its own web site you can Google. It’s the standard Chinese fayre. Set meals with 7 or 8 items are currently around £12-£18 person. Egg Fried Rice £2.50, Roast Duck with Mandarin Orange Peel sauce £5, Chicken with Cashew Nuts in Yellow Bean Sauce £4.50
Interior Of Nell Gwynne's Chinese Restaurant Windsor
Nell Gwynne’s House Factoid
The number 4 Church Street premises was let out recently, the asking rent was £20,000 per year.
How To Find Nell Gwynne’s House
Finding Nell Gwynne’s House is simplicity itself. Directly opposite the front gate of Windsor Castle is the Old Town. Church Street is the cobbled lane nearest the castle. The house is 50 yards down on your left. (At peak times there may be someone dressed up as Nell Gwynne soliciting trade – no not that kind of trade!)
