Eton College Windsor

Eton College

Jake Davies

Eton is almost certainly the most famous public school in the world. Located just across the River Thames from Windsor, the school was founded by Henry VI in 1440. Over the centuries the school has educated countless famous people as well as the sons of the rich and powerful, both from within the UK and also from around the world.

Eton College Chapel is half the size of its original design. — Eton College Chapel is half the size of its original design

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Entrance to the Upper School at Eton. — Entrance to the Upper School at Eton

History

Eton is a boys-only boarding school and is now the biggest boarding school in the UK. Founded by Henry VI as a charity school to educate 70 boys who would then go on to study at King's College in Cambridge which the king also founded at the same time.

The first structure to begin construction was the chapel, which was actually planned to have the largest nave in all of Europe, however, when Henry was deposed by Edward IV in 1461, the loss of funding severely curtailed the plans and the current nave is less than half the length of the original design.

The most noteworthy features of the chapel are the wall paintings completed in the late 15th century. Done in Flemish style they were painted over and not restored until 1923 after being rediscovered in 1847.

The current stained glass windows are all modern following bombing in World War II that blew out the originals. The ceiling, looking like fan vaulting, is also modern and concrete after the wooden roof was replaced in the mid-20th century.

With the loss of the support of Henry VI the plans for the college were scaled back but over the centuries enough wealthy patrons and supporters were found for the college to grow and prosper and a sizable community grew up around it. Currently the school has 1,300 students.

Eton College, a short walk from Windsor. — Eton College, a short walk from Windsor

Famous Old Etonians

Many British politicians were educated at Eton, including 20 Prime Ministers that include the very first, Robert Walpole, and two more recent ones, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson.

Many royal families around the world have sent their sons to Eton, and in a break with tradition, both Prince William and Prince Harry of the British royal family were educated here.

Eton has produced a fair amount of writers, with Percy Bysshe Shelley being perhaps the most famous. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond was at Eton, as was Aldous Huxley. The world of contemporary entertainment has a smattering of Eton old-boys as well, with Hugh Laurie and Eddie Redmayne being just two.

If you arrive in Eton by crossing the river from Windsor across the bridge, built in 1822, though a bridge has stood here since the early 12th century, in 1970 it was closed to vehicular traffic.

Set in the pavement is a circular bronze plaque marking the start of the Eton Walkway, a 2.2 mile, self-guided route meandering around Eton that visits 18 sites of historical interest including the college chapel and several of the museums that the school has.

The buildings of the Upper School at Eton mostly date from the Victorian era. — The buildings of the Upper School at Eton mostly date from the Victorian era

Tours

From late May until mid September there are free guided tours around Eton that also include a visit to the Museum of Eton Life. See the website for booking details: collections.etoncollege.com

The Museum of Eton Life is dedicated to the history of the school since its founding, and is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the year.

Open to the public only on Sunday afternoons are the school's Museum of Antiquities, Natural History Museum, as well as the Verey Gallery, and the Tower Gallery.

Windsor Castle is just 20 minutes on foot south of Eton College.