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Cockpit Inn Eton
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As
you walk across Eton Bridge, the area immediately by the riverfront
is not that promising. A lot of upmarket, expensive restaurants
have riverside settings and in between are signs of tourist tat.
If money is not a problem you can have a fine meal overlooking the
Thames with views across Eton Bridge to Windsor Castle.
The first part of the High Street is a mix of cheaper tea rooms,
pubs and lots of antique, painting and book shops. The shops here
seem to come and go quite quickly. You can also see Eton rowing
club fronting the river.
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soon come to the Cockpit Inn on your right. It was once where cock
fighting was performed. Nowadays its an Indian Restaurant in an olde
worlde setting - mind that low beam!.The building dates from 1420. |
 Eton
High Street With Castle in Background |
On
your left is the Christoper Hotel, an historic hotel originally dating
from 1511. You can still see the wide entrance where the original
horse carriages entered.
On your left set back in grounds is a church, St. John the Evangelist,
dating from 1852 and is of Victorian Gothic design. The foundation
stone was laid by Prince Albert. The building was recently renovated
to become the local surgery and Eton College sanatorium. A chapel
remains on the upper level.
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The next section of the High Street is like a small village, with
post office, small school, Barclays Bank etc. One shop that always
catches the eye is the Teddy Bear shop on your right - a shop full
of nothing but Teddy Bears.
As you cross Baldwin’s bridge the High Street changes again in
character. Retail outlets here are targeted at the school. There are
several 'gentlemans' outfitters with clothing in the windows most
people would associate with a bygone stage. In one, you can see the
tailors working, still using old hand sewing machines.
There is also a branch of the exclusive Coutts Bank.
You now enter the impressive buildings of Eton College on both sides.
The entrance for the tours is down by the Windsor side of the church
on your right, at the back of the church.
There are extensive Eton sports fields north of the campus with many
public footpaths cutting through them. Our Windsor
& Eton self guided walk passes through. |
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