Eton is a civil parish and town in Berkshire. It is, however, within the historical boundaries of Buckinghamshire, sitting on a bank of River Thames opposite to Windsor with the Windsor Bridge connecting the two towns. Eton is a lovely town with beautiful historic structures.
The town’s claim to fame is the Eton College, a well-known public school founded by Henry VI in 1440. It was meant to supply Cambridge, the King’s College, with scholars. The earliest students of Eton College were poor students who got free education and free lodging although several paying students lived outside the campus. For funding, the King gave the school large grants of land and some holy relics.
Eton’s High Street starts from the north side of the Windsor Bridge going directly to the centre of historic Eton. This route has been taken by the royal processions between Windsor and Westminster. The funeral of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife, is the most famous of these.
Food, Shopping And Accommodation In Eton
In Eton, there is a lively mix of the contemporary and the traditional bringing together modern art and antique, traditional English dinner and superb European cuisine. Along the High Street that leads to Eton College, there is quite a selection of independent retailers.
Things To See And Do In Eton
The way to the College is a 10-minute walk down High Street. It passes through some historic buildings such as; The Cockpit, the oldest structure on the High Street and the Turks Head Court, a timber-framed building which is a facade to a courtyard lined with charming cottages. It also goes through Porny’s Plaque, a simple brick building with red doors which was formerly a school and the Christopher Hotel which was formerly a coaching inn dating back to 1511. Other places that you pass through are The Crown & Cushion Inn which was built in 1500 and has been an inn since 1753, the St John the Evangelist Church constructed in 1852 with its Victorian Gothic design; and Barnes Pool Bridge, a wrought iron bridge built in the 19th Century.