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School
Eton College
Boarding school founded by Henry VI in 1440; Lupton's Tower fronts School Yard. No heritage tours in 2026 because of building works.
A mini guide to
Eton
Eton College, its free museums and the Thames west to Dorney Lake
Photos
1 / 2Welcome to the area
Eton College, its free museums and the Thames west to Dorney Lake
Eton is the smaller town on the north bank of the Thames, reached from Windsor by the 1824 bridge, which has been closed to cars since 1970. Its long High Street of shops, inns and restaurants runs north from the bridge to Eton College, founded by Henry VI in 1440. The Eton Information Centre at 67 High Street is just over the bridge.
The college's three museums, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Antiquities and the Museum of Eton Life, open free on Sunday afternoons; the Museum of Eton Life is closed for building works in 2026, so check before you go. West of the town, the Thames Path follows the river past the Brocas meadow to the 12th-century chapel at Boveney and Dorney Lake, the 2012 Olympic rowing venue.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Museum
Natural History Museum, Eton College
On its present site since 1895: Thames Valley wildlife, dinosaur casts and a replica of Joseph Banks's Endeavour cabin. Free, Sunday afternoons.
Directions Website Report a problem with Natural History Museum, Eton College
Museum
Museum of Antiquities, Eton College
Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Greek objects, plus flint hand-axes and finds dredged from the Thames. Free, Sunday afternoons.
Directions Website Report a problem with Museum of Antiquities, Eton College
Bridge
Windsor Bridge
Cast-iron bridge of 1824 between Windsor and Eton, closed to cars since 1970 and now part of the Thames Path.
Walking trail
The Eton Walkway
Two-mile circular walk from Windsor Bridge, marked by 18 bronze shields set in the ground, past the college, the Brocas and the boathouse.
Riverside meadow
The Brocas
Open meadow on the Eton bank upstream of the bridge, on the Eton Walkway, with a view across the Thames to the castle.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Eton and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Come on a Sunday
Eton College says its museums and galleries open to the public free of charge on Sunday afternoons, 1.30pm to 4pm, and may close for holidays.
2
No college tours in 2026
The college's heritage tours are paused in 2026 for building works; it plans to announce the 2027 visitor offer.
3
Pick up the Eton Walkway
The Eton Information Centre at 67 High Street has Eton Walkway brochures; the 18 bronze markers start at Windsor Bridge.
4
Check Dorney Lake events
The public may use the grounds of Dorney Lake only when no sporting events are taking place.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Photo credits
- Eton (area photo): Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Eton College: Evka W, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Windsor Bridge: The original uploader was Wyrdlight at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- The Brocas: Jonathan Thacker, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Mary Magdalene's Church, Boveney: UKgeofan (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Dorney Lake: dsearls (Doc Searls) profile at Flickr website, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Castle & Town: Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Windsor