|
Eton lies north of the
River Thames, 21 miles west of London.
The town faces the larger
town of Windsor across the Thames and the two settlements
are joined by the Windsor Bridge. This bridge, built
in 1821 - 23, was originally used by all road traffic but
is now for pedestrians and cyclists only.
Visitors to Windsor can stroll
across Windsor Bridge to see Eton High Street, with its fine
preserved shop fronts, or visit Eton College.
The world famous public school
now occupies the whole of Eton north of Barnes Pool Bridge.
From the Brocas, a broad open meadow beside the river in Eton,
there are wonderful views of Windsor Castle. Eton Wick,
a modern residential area, lies a mile westward of the town
and is separated from it by an open area of land known as
South Field.
Eton
College (or just Eton) is known officially as 'The
King's College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor'.
The College was founded in 1440 by Henry VI to provide free
education for 70 poor students, who then went on King's College,
Cambridge.
Today Eton boards around 1,290
boys between the ages of 13 and 18. The exclusive public
school has excellent facilities but the fees are very high.
Eton is about two miles north
of Windsor Castle but although the school is popular with
the Royal Family Princes William and Harry are the only sons
of a future British monarch to have attended Eton.
Pupils wear a destinctive uniform
that includes a black tailcoat, waistcoat, pinstriped trousers,
false collar and white tie. Eton has a very strong academic
record and a high percentage of pupils going on to Oxford,
Cambridge and other notable universities.
Traditionally Eton was the training
ground for the British governing class, with 19 former Prime
Ministers among the alumni or 'Old Etonians'.
Standing on the banks of the
Thames, Eton also has a strong rowing tradition, with the
'Eton Boating Song' the best known song associated with the
school. Dorney Lake, Eton's splendid rowing facility,
will host the rowing events at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Eton is also famous for the 'Eton
Wall Game', a hybrid of rugby and football, and 'Eton Fives',
a handball game.
Visitors can see the College
School Yard, Chapel and Museum and there are regular guided
tours. An entrance fee is payable at the front gate.
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
Eton
