A local guide to Eton
The other being, of course, the world famous boys’ school, Eton College, that sits majestically at the end of it.
Lining its streets are a vast array of independent retailers specialising in selling a mix of contemporary goods and traditional trades, including antiques and pharmaceuticals.
Retail has been a prominent fixture in Eton ever since the boys’ school opened in 1440, having developed to cater for the needs of students and staff there.
At the opposite end of the High Street is the Windsor Bridge, which was constructed in the 1100s to link Eton to the town of Windsor and then replaced in 1242 by a newer version.
It was replaced once more in 1822 and then pedestrianised following on from the discovery of cracks in its cast iron structure in the 1970s.
As a result, today the most direct route by road to Eton from Windsor is via the Queen Elizabeth Bridge on the Windsor by-pass.
The nearby village of Eton Wick is where the most abundant residential accommodation exists near the main town and for many years its survival was dependent on the trade and employment that Eton provided.
However, improved transport links over the years, and the influence of the nearby Slough Trading Estate at the end of the 20th century, changed all that.
Over development of the village has been avoided by the fact that the areas to the south and east of Eton Wick are designated Lammas and Common Lands. This means that development of the area is strictly protected.
Consequently, the village is surrounded by open land and picturesque views of the River Thames.
The main road through the village, Eton Wick Road, which eventually links it to the A4 at Taplow via Dorney, is dotted with pubs, shops and, predominantly, semi-detached housing.
The village also has its own library, a classic car museum and two first schools.