DISCOVER WINDSOR AND ETON*

Just like a tour of Windsor is almost never complete without a tour of Windsor Castle, visiting Eton makes the touring experience complete through its history often intertwined with that of Windsor. The two towns grew in parallel for a while and there are numerous instances where the College and / or the river had an impact on both. Eton has never grown past its 19th century size due to geographical limitations and has always been associated with the College. Windsor gained its railway after endless battles with the College masters worried that the Eton boys would thus be able to go down to London. The story of the Eton Bridge links the two towns further...

 This tour of Windsor and Eton is highly customizable depending on your interests and walking ability, but my suggestion is to combine my proposed heritage walking tour of Windsor with visiting Windsor Castle and Eton town and College in one day, stopping to enjoy coffee and lunch at any of the numerous cafes, restaurants and pubs that we will see on the way.

After a walk round the cobbled streets of Medieval Windsor and a look at the beautiful Long Walk, we will hopefully take our position to see the new guard and band walk in the Castle٭ through Henry VIII's Gate before we follow them in for a visit to the biggest inhabited Castle in the world.

On coming out, after a stop for coffee or lunch, we can proceed down Thames Street, past the Theatre Royal towards Sir Christopher Wren's House and Eton Bridge. Once we have crossed the bridge, we are in Eton High Street, crammed with lovely shops, pubs and restaurants, most of which were initially set up for the benefit of the College boys and masters. We will see the Eton College Boat House, King Stable Street, the Crown and Cushion Inn (probably an inn since 1753), The Cockpit and the stocks in front of it, the first Victorian letter box in England, the old fire station, and many other Tudor and Victorian buildings of historical importance. At the end of Eton High Street there are the Eton College grounds and buildings. We can walk freely through the grounds (said to be the grounds where the Duke of Wellington won the Battle of Waterloo) and admire them at leisure. Should you wish to go on one of the College guided tours, these are set up daily at 2.15pm and 3.15pm, except for week ends and certain closure days. There is an  entrance fee payable to your College guide.

*This tour offers the option of enjoying a Traditional Cream Tea at the Cinnamon Cafe in the Windsor Royal Station, at a discounted rate for Windsor Tours' clients. (subject to cafe opening hours)

٭ The changing of the guard takes place daily in the summer months and on alternate days in winter, subject to weather conditions. There is no guard change on a Sunday. Visits to the Castle are also subject to closure dates usually published in advance on the Windsor Castle website or obtainable from the Castle booking office.

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