History’s Roll Call: A Guide to Eton Town and its College
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Eton is a historic town in the shadow of Windsor Castle, but is perhaps better known for its prestigious boys’ school. On this walking tour, you’ll hear the centuries of fascinating history that have shaped this remarkable small town and its world-famous college.
The tour starts at Windsor Bridge and guides you through Eton’s storied past and vibrant present. As you walk up the High Street, you’ll pass ancient inns and distinguished tailors that have made Eton’s distinctive uniform for generations. You’ll see the grounds of Eton College, founded by King Henry VI in 1440, where princes, prime ministers, and poets have studied for nearly six centuries.
The tour dips through the College area, along peaceful playing fields, and back to the bustling High Street. On your way back to Windsor Bridge, you’ll discover how this small town of just 4,500 residents has preserved its historic character while maintaining deep connections to royalty, literature, and sporting traditions.
On this Eton walking tour, you’ll also have a chance to:
- Discover curious wall markings allegedly made by nervous students awaiting exams
- Take a photo at the 007 lamp post that supposedly inspired Ian Fleming to give his famous James Bond character this particular number
- Spot the unusual black plates on historic buildings that prevented walls from bowing outward, a technique first developed by Roman architects
- View Sir Antony Gormley’s “Edge II“ sculpture, cleverly hidden high on a building façade
- Marvel at a rare Victorian fluted pillar box from 1856, located in the first village in England to have a Post Office
- Admire the ornate Victorian “Burning Bush“ lamp post that incorporates elements of Eton’s coat of arms
- Walk across a Thames tributary over Barnes Pool Bridge, which dates back to 1274 and features the only remaining route marker from London’s 1908 Olympic Marathon
- Examine the remarkable metal rungs that are used for Eton’s famous Wall Game, a unique sport dating back to 1766
By the end of this delightful 40-minute tour through Eton, you’ll have a sense of how history, education, and tradition have harmoniously coexisted in this charming town for centuries.
The route is easily walkable, with plenty of photo opportunities and fascinating stops along the way.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Timeless Walking Tours
I’m a walking tour guide brought up and educated in Windsor, where a lifetime of local knowledge underpins everything, I do. I guide across the historic towns of Windsor and Eton, blending lived experience with rigorous research to help you understand not just what you’re seeing, but why it matters.
My academic background is in Economic History from the University of Liverpool, where my dissertation examined the growth of tourism in Windsor. That training shaped how I interpret places—connecting royal power, local enterprise, and global visitors across 1,000 years of history.
Curiosity drives my work. I love exploring new places and learning from the people who live there—their stories, customs, and everyday insights. Travel has been a constant teacher, especially in Southeast Asia, where I lived and worked in Malaysia for three years. Talking with locals always reveals layers you won’t find in guidebooks.
Alongside research, I spent 17 years running an arts events business, so experience design is second nature to me. Every tour is crafted to give listeners the best possible experience: authoritative history, priceless local knowledge, unexpected details, and moments that hopefully make you smile.
I write tours about the places and themes I’m genuinely passionate about. That includes royalty and iconic locations in Windsor and Eton; the remarkable memorial landscape of Runnymede, with features ranging from the Bronze Age to contemporary art installations; and the RAF Memorial Englefield Green, a place of calm and reflection overlooking Runnymede, honouring the airmen and women lost in the Second World War.
My routes are in locations that follow the River Thames, naturally leading to Richmond—where one tour reflects another passion of mine: Ted Lasso ! The Emmy-winning, heart-warming story of an American football coach discovering English football in the historic town of Richmond.
I see myself as an explorer and a storyteller—someone who loves discovery and sharing it. With deep roots, proven expertise, and a commitment to accuracy and delight, I aim to make every VoiceMap journey memorable.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 12
Eton Wall Game
We are walking towards the venue of the famous Eton Wall Game, which—you won’t be surprised to hear—is a wall.
The principal matches of the famous Wall Game take place on St Andrew's Day and Ascension Day.... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Eton
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King Stable Street
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Tangier Lane
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Christopher Hotel Eton
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Eton Porny C of E First School
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Barnes Pool
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Eton College
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Eton College Chapel
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Burning Bush
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Keates Lane
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Eton College Natural History Museum
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Eton College Music Schools
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Eton Museum of Antiquities
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St. John The Evangelist Church
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The Watermans Arms
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationWindsor Rd, Eton, Slough SL1 2EJ, UK
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Total distance2km
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Final locationWindsor Rd, Eton, Slough SL1 2EJ, UK
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Distance back to start location31.25m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour starts on the Eton end of Windsor Bridge, opposite the George Pub and next to Cote restaurant, looking down the High Street.
The start is only five minutes walk from Windsor & Eton Riverside Station and the centre of Windsor and Windsor Central station. There is parking in Windsor or Eton.
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
There are cafes on our route where you can pick up a coffee to take with you or linger a little longer for a delicious piece of cake too. I like Enigma and Nimia. If you would like a meal then I could recommend the food at Gilbey's.
The College open's its Museums to the public on certain days, please check the website for opening times https://collections.etoncollege.com/museum-and-gallery-openings/
Best time of day
It would be best to take the walk during daylight hours as part of the route is unlit. Part of the route is round a playing field, it follows a path but could be a little muddy. The walk can be taken all year.
Precautions
As we are in England it's sensible to be prepared with an umbrella.
Parts are the tour are in the areas surrounding the college, which is a working school, all visitors are therefore requested to treat the boys respectfully.
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