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Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
First, the Bridge itself deserves a mention. Being the vital link across the Thames between Eton on the north bank and Windsor on the south, the current structure was opened in 1823 as a toll bridge, tolls being collected until 1898.
The posts on which the tollgates hung now stand at the tops of the steps leading to the riverside walks on the Windsor side. The construction is one the first cast-iron bridges in the country, with cast iron spanning the 2 stone piers. Having carried increasing loads for 147 years, the weight of buses and lorries cracked it beyond repair and it was closed to motor vehicles in 1970.
In 2002 was subject to a complete overhaul and was reopened to pedestrians by H.M. Queen Elizabeth on the day of her Jubilee, June 3 2002. A plaque in the roadway in the middle of the bridge commemorates this date.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
Artist/Designer Wendy Ramshaw designed the row of five stainless steel bollards and viewing tower, commissioned to signal the entrance to Eton and erected in 2000. Pause for a moment and look down the street through the viewing tower and decipher Eton in the brass plate at the base.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
Immediately on your left is Brocas Street. At the end of this short street is Eton College Boat House, home to boatbuilders Eton Racing Boats with an international reputation for hand crafted racing boats. Beyond the Boathouse lies The Brocas, an open meadowland ideal for picnics, observing swans and the best view of Windsor Castle.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
Heading back to the High Street, you pass King Stable Street on your right. This street once housed carriages and stabled horses, which carried Royalty from London. Passengers were ferried across the Thames to Windsor Castle.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
At Nos. 84-85 on your left is the Crown & Cushion Inn. Probably dating from 1600, it was leased to a maltster in 1709 and has certainly been an inn since 1753.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
Nos. 47-49, The Cockpit, on your right is now a restaurant but was originally three shops until the early 1900s. The building dates from 1420, with medieval timbers to the outside.
The Sun Insurance Co issued the insurance certificate on the wall. In the event of a fire, fire fighters could see if the building was insured — no sign, no fire assistance!
The stocks in front of the building were used as a punishment for petty crime. Passers-by would mock the victim by throwing rotten fruits and vegetables. These stocks were originally at Clewer Church, Windsor. The Victorian letterbox was brought into use in 1856, the first all-metal design. It still functions today.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
No. 98 on your left is The Turks Head. The building dates from 1520 and has medieval timbers to the exterior. An alehouse until 1878, it then became the Three Lilies Coffee Tavern, a place where the working man and his wife could find refreshment without the temptations offered by gin palaces and beer shops. In 1880, Eton was home to 19 public houses and taverns.
No. 101 is on your left. This building, with its original Victorian balcony, was the police station from 1920 to 1936.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
Nos. 102-103, on your left, was built as a fire station in 1904, the round-headed windows originally being doors. The station originally had 2 horse-drawn engines, 1 steam and 1 manual. The ground floor is now the offices of Eton Town Council. Note the stone panel with the Art Nouveau design of 3 lilies of Eton.
The Christopher Hotel is on your left. A coaching inn has existed here from 1511 although the current structure is more recent.
The insignia above the doorway of the chemist, no.30 on your right, signifies that the proprietor is the official warrant holder to the late Queen Mother. There has been a chemist here since 1826 and the building is circa 1700.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
The church, St. John the Evangelist, on your left, dates from 1852 and is of Victorian Gothic design. The foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert. The building was recently renovated to become the local surgery and Eton College sanatorium. A chapel remains on the upper level.
On your right is Eton Porny School. This is a coeducational church school for children aged from 5 to 9. Antonine Pyron du Martre, French master at Eton College, founded the school in 1800. His anglicised name Antony Porny is preserved in the school name.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
Before you go over Baldwin’s bridge, look at the north wall of No. 138, on your left. The post shows the height of water, with two memorable floods marked 1894 and 1947.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
On the passage way wall at Gulliver’s, on your left, is a cast of a section of the Parthenon frieze. This is thought to have been erected by the Vice-Provost of Eton College in the early 1900s. The building is circa 1600.
On your left, outside Eton College library stands "The Burning Bush", a wrought iron lamp. Designed by the architect Woodyear in 1864, it originally stood on a central island in the street and was lit by gas. It was moved to its current position in 1963 but is sadly no longer illuminated.
Our Guided Tour Of Eton...
At the end of the High Street stand the impressive buildings of Eton College. This famous school was founded in 1440, during the reign of Henry VI. On your right is the beautiful Eton College Chapel, which has featured in many well known paintings. Visitors can view the College buildings between April and September.
We hope this insight into Eton’s heritage will have illuminated your virtual walk through Eton. Do please come and visit us and spend a weekend or more in Eton and Windsor.