Eton

About

On the opposite bank of the River Thames from Windsor lies the town of Eton.  Connected by a footbridge, Eton has an importance of its own both historically and commercially.

Learn more about Eton by following the Eton Walkway, a 2-mile/one-hour circular walk, connecting 18 points of interest in the town starting at Windsor Bridge.  Watch the Eton Walkway Overview by scrolling to the foot of this page.

Eton College dominates this historic and picturesque town on the opposite bank of the Thames to Windsor.  Read our Sunday Stroll through Eton blog which takes in the college's three free museums.

Eton is a town in its own right, even though it’s very closely linked to Windsor. The High Street is the main street of Eton and it has remained unchanged for many years.

It is impossible to think of Eton without reference to its famous public school, Eton College, and indeed the later history of the town is inseparably entwined with that of the college.

Eton College

Eton College occupies the whole of Eton north of Barnes Pool bridge and was founded by King Henry VI in 1440 and is second only to Winchester as the oldest public school in England.  Eton College is open to the public on selected days between May and September.  You may be able to catch a glance through the entrance way of a statue of the founder by Francis Bird (1719) in the cobbled court of School Yard.

Shopping in Eton

Eton is an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary retail bringing together antiques and modern art, traditional medicines and complementary beauty therapies, English roast dinners and exquisite European cuisine.  The mile-long high street leading down to Eton College boasts a fine selection of independent retailers and gives you a sense of stepping back in time when you see the boys in their traditional school dress.

Eton Wick

The modern residential area of Eton Wick is a mile west of the town and is separated from it by South Field which, as with most open land in the area, is subject to Lammas (or Loaf Mass) and Common rights handed down since the 7th century. The red-brick church of St John the Baptist was consecrated in 1867 by Samuel Wilberforce, then Bishop of Oxford.

Discover Eton

Find out more about the town and the college by calling in to the Eton Information Centre at 67 High Street or visiting Visit Eton's website.  Collect your copy of The Eton Walkway brochure and explore this most unique of towns.