Eton College
Eton College was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI to provide free education for 70 poor scholars who would then go on to further their education at King’s College, Cambridge. Life in the early days was harsh: the boys had to wash outside using only cold water. From these 70 scholars, the school has expanded to about 1,311 boys aged from 13 to 18 who are admitted by competitive examination, and has become one of the most well known schools in the world.
Eton has educated 19 former British Prime Ministers including the Duke of Wellington, Walpole, Pitt the Elder, MacMillan and Douglas-Home. The School Dress, which dates from the 1850s, still consists of a black tailcoat and waistcoat and pin-striped trousers.
Short guided tours for individuals, of around an hour in duration, are arranged at 14.00 and 15.15 on some Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with an additional tour at 16.15 on Saturday and Sundays,and daily during Eton's holidays. Pre-booking is essential for everyone. School groups can only be acceped during Eton College's holidays until 7 October 2012.
The Eton College Gift Shop, situated on Eton High Steet, a few steps and opposite from the main entrance to the College, is open March-December between 11.00-15.30 and stocks gifts, clothing and souvenirs bearing the college coat of arms.
Tour tickets for Eton College can be purchased from The Royal Windsor Information Centre (in Windsor Royal Shopping) or from the Eton College Gift Shop.
Opening Times
| Open (16/04/2012 - 01/06/2012) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Thursday | Closed | |
| Friday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Saturday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Sunday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Bank Holiday | Closed | |
| Open (04/06/2012 - 10/06/2012) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Tuesday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Wednesday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Thursday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Friday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Saturday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Sunday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Open (11/06/2012 - 29/06/2012) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Thursday | Closed | |
| Friday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Saturday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Sunday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Bank Holiday | ||
| Open (30/06/2012 - 04/09/2012) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | 14:00 | 15:15 |
| Tuesday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Wednesday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Thursday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Friday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Saturday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Sunday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Bank Holiday | ||
| Open (07/09/2012 - 07/10/2012) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Thursday | Closed | |
| Friday | 14:00 | 16:15 |
| Saturday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Sunday | 14:00 | 17:15 |
| Bank Holiday | ||
Facilities
Provider Preferences
- In town/city centre
- No Smoking Attraction
Accessibility
- Disabled Parking
- Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - Induction loop
- Guide Dogs Permitted
- Induction Loop System - In the Museum
- No dogs (Guide dogs accepted)
- Ramp/Level Access
- Toilets for Disabled Visitors
- Wheelchair user accessible - Wheelchair users please enter via The Porters' Lodge
Children & Infants
- Baby changing
Parking & Transport
- Green Transport - direct bus from Slough and Heathrow. Short walk from Windsor where buses and coaches operate to Slough, Staines and Bracknell.
Payment Methods
- Approx length of visit - 01:00
- Blue Badge Guides admitted free
- Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.
- MasterCard accepted
- Max group size - 9999
- Min group size - 14 for a private tour.
- Open by appointment outside normal opening times
- Sterling Travellers Cheques accepted
- TIC Staff Admitted Free
- Visa accepted
Establishment Features
- Toilets
Tours and Demonstrations
- Educational Visits Accepted - During Holidays
- Guided Tours Available for Groups
- Guided Tours Compulsory for Groups - During the Visitor Season March-Sept
Prices
| Ticket Type | Tariff |
|---|---|
| Child ticket | £5.50 per ticket |
| Adult ticket | £6.50 per ticket |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Awards
- Group Establishments -
Part of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Concierge Scheme 2012
Road Directions
Via M4 Moterway:
From London or M25 (junction15) - off at junction 5 follow signs for Eton. From the West - off at junction 6 and follow signs for Eton.
Public Transport Directions
South West Trains: London Waterloo or Clapham Junction to Windsor and Eton Riverside, then walk over Windsor Bridge.
Thames Trains and Great Western: London Paddington or Reading to Slough, then change for Windsor and Eton Central. Walk down from the castle to Windsor Bridge.
Coach Park- It is advisable to park the coach in Windsor coach park and either walk over the bridge to Eton or request that the coach driver drops your party outside the main entrance at Eton College and picks you up from the same area at a pre-set time. Coaches are not allowed access into Eton Highstreet and parking in the vicinity of the College is very limited.
There is no direct access for vehicles over the River Thames from Windsor to Eton; Windsor Bridge is for pedestrians only. One can walk across Windsor Bridge and walk up Eton High Street towards the Chapel on your right. The Eton College Gift Shop is on your left.
