Windsor and Eton

Windsor and Eton are twin towns, in Berkshire, in the South East of England, separated by the River Thames and joined by Windsor Bridge.

Windsor is an ancient town most famous for its castle, construction of which began in 1075, and which is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. The royal standard flies from the keep of the Castle when the Queen is in residence.

Eton is a smaller town, dominated by Eton College, the ancient public (US English:private) school which educates many of England's establishment (especially those who go on to become politicians, judges and diplomats).

See

These places to see are all within the central area of Windsor or within Eton just across Windsor Bridge. They are all within easy walking distance of each other, the main shopping center and both railway stations.

Windsor

• ⊙Windsor Castle,  ☎ +44 20 7766 7304. Daily (for exceptions see website) 9:45AM-5:15PM (4.15PM Nov-Feb). The largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and still an official royal residence. Much of the castle, including the magnificent State Apartments and St Georges Chapel are visitable. The apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the royal collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough. Standard: Adult £19.20, Over 60/Student (with valid ID) £17.50, Under 17/Disabled £11.30, Under 5 Free, Family £49.70 (2 adults and 3 under 17s).  
• Changing of the Guard, Windsor Castle,  ☎ +44 20 7766 7304. Daily or every two days (see website) 11AM (arrive early). The guards are stationed at ⊙Victoria Barracks and march up to and from the Castle accompanied by the guards band playing traditional military marches as well as popular songs. Free. 
• ⊙Guildhall, High Street (by Windsor Parish Church). Built by Sir Christopher Wren, it is famous for its pillars, which were insisted on by the towns burgesses, even though Wren insisted they were unnecessary. To make his point, he built the pillars but ensured a gap was left between them and the roof they apparently support.  
• ⊙Windsor Parish Church, High Street (by the Guildhall). St. John The Baptist, built 1822, replaced earlier Church edifices that stood since 1084 on the site, 80 meters from the Henry VIII gate of Windsor Castle. Peter Scheemakers, famous for his sculptures in Westminster Abbey, created a memorial to Topham Foote or Foot, son of Samuel Foote and Arabella Topham Foote, that greets visitors using the High Street entrance. The memorial includes the young man's bust and the Foote crest. A second Scheemakers' memorial honors Topham Foote's mother and her second husband Thomas Reeve. Most tourists consider The Last Supper by Francis Cleyn a must-view. The painting and the frame were fully restored in 2003 under the leadership of Churchwarden Michael Harding. George III gave the painting and frame to Windsor Parish Church after it hung nearly a century in St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. 

Eton

• ⊙Eton College, Eton,  ☎ +44 1753 671177. March-early October, see website. See School Yard and the College Chapel (building started in 1441 and one of the finest examples of fifteenth century Perpendicular Gothic architecture). Walk around their extensive playing fields some of which are adjacent to the River Thames. Opening hours vary depending on time of year and school term; see 'Visits to Eton' topic on the Eton College website or see the website above. £3.45-£4.20. 
• ⊙Brocas Meadows, Eton. Just across Windsor Bridge. These attractive meadows offer a spectacular view across the river of Windsor and the Castle. Free.

Do

• ⊙French Brothers Boat Tour (river trip), Windsor Promenade, Windsor,  ☎ +44 1753 851900. Easter-October M-Su every half hour (2 hour trips at 1:30PM and 2:30PM). Run 40 minute and 2 hour trips, principally up-river and with views of Windsor Castle, Eton College, Brocas Meadows, Windsor Racecourse, Bray Film Studios (2 hour trip only) and Monkey Island (2 hour trip only). £4.50-£7 (adult); £2.25-£3.50. 
• ⊙Salters Steamers Boat Tour (river trip), Thames Side, Windsor,  ☎ +44 1865 243421. May-Sep M,Th,F 9AM&2:30PM (Staines trips); May-Sep Tu,W 9:15AM&2:15PM (Maidenhead trips). Run half-day trips down-river to Staines and up-river to Maidenhead . £7 (adult); £3.50 (child). 
• ⊙Royal Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor,  ☎ +44 1753 498400. Accessible on race days by the X77 shuttle bus from Windsor & Eton Riverside station (round trip £3) or boat shuttle from Thames Promenade (round trip £6). Day and evening meetings throughout the year; visit website or contact telephone number above for details. £6-£18. 
• ⊙Theatre Royale, Thames Street, Windsor,  ☎ +44 1753 853888. Excellent, medium sized Victorian theatre, that always has a variety of touring productions, with a host of well known British actors.

Sleep

Inside the range of 4 km:

• ⊙   The Windsor Trooper, Windsor, PC V - VI

  "... We do have a couple of storage rooms which can be securely locked."

• ⊙   Park Farm B&B, Windsor, PC VI - VIII

  "... We can secure the bicycle behind a gate in a private area. It is sadly not undercover but I have some tarpaulin I could put over the to."

• ⊙   Manor Cottage B&B, Windsor, PC VI