Obviously these lovely narrow streets are a honeypot for tourists
The map (right) is from 1607 and is therefore hopefully out of any kind copyright. As you can see from the map on the site map page, which probably isn't but don't snitch, there has been little change, except of course , the 1607 map was orientated south, north so it is now upside down.
A book on the subject of the buildings of Windsor called with astounding imagination "The Buildings of Windsor "by Richard Morris and Ken Hoverd (Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd, Stroud Glos. ISBN 07090562X) states that originally a market grew up outside the gates of the castle and gradually more permanent buildings were erected. Many of the buildings retain the original wood beams but have had weatherproofing facias added later. The streets had names which indicated what was sold there, Fish St and Butchers Row for example.
The process is known by historians as "Market infilling" and can be seen in many other mediaeval towns, resulting in the narrow, colourful streets. The process was almost organic and unplanned leading to the mix of building styles heights and facias that are pleasing to the human eye and are on a more human scale.
From the High Street we see one of the favourite photo shots for tourists, the leaning café of Windsor. More formerly called Market Cross House. Built 1687. Some books claim a dodgy builder worked on it in the eighteenth century producing the tilt.Others claim it was a land dispute between the butcher who had it built and the town councillors who had the Guldhall .
To the left is Queen Charlotte Street. Morris and doodad claim it is the shortest street in England. 51feet 10ins. That's a bit precise. How did they measure it? On their hands and knees with a tape measure? Morris says, " I've got 52 feet. Damn! Bog Lane in Umbrage is only 51 feet 11. Recount. Doodad, on his hands and knees measures again. He gets 51 feet 11. So they come back after a bout of heavy rain and, happy ending its shrunk . Yes 50 feet 10! The shortest street in England .
Pubs. Extensive research by windsorsoup has lead to one oddity. The Pub on the left at the end of this alleyway is called the Carpenters Arms, in Market Street. The pub below it is The Carpenters Arms ,in Church Street. The reason is the pub has two fronts. This can be very confusing after strong ale giving one the impression of having gone in one pub and having come out of another without having walked anywhere.
There is a story about the Guildhall. It was designed by a lesser known architect who died and Sir Christiopher Wren took over.
The councillors were worried that the floor of the upstairs rooms were not strong enough so asked for pillars. Wren had them built but none actually touch the ceiling or take any weight.