Just 30 minutes from London, this town is a universe unto itself, having left its mark on English history. Located right next to Windsor, the birthplace of the royal family, it holds significant importance for England because it is home to Eton College, where the English ruling elite send their children all the way to university. We’ve compiled 16 details about this town you might not know:
1- Founded by King Henry VI of England in 1440, Eton College could be considered the very reason for the town’s existence. Henry’s spending on it depleted his treasury and subsequently led to his defeat in the wars in France. Ultimately, it also led to his dethronement.
2- This school, which educates children aged 13-18, has become one of the favorite educational institutions of the British elite. It has produced 20 Prime Ministers, including Boris Johnson and David Cameron, and Prince William and Prince Harry are also graduates of this school. The famous author Oscar Wilde is also a graduate of this school.
3- In this school, where the annual tuition cost exceeds $69,000 by December 2025, students are required to wear long black jackets, white bow ties, and striped trousers. Female students are not admitted to the school.
4- The school also has three museums that can be visited for free on Sundays. These include the Eton Museum of Life, the Museum of Antiquities, and the Museum of Natural History.
5- Another thing the school is famous for is its dessert known as Eton Mess. Legend has it that during a cricket match in the 1920s, a Labrador dog sat on a covered strawberry pavlova, crushing and scattering it, and thus Eton Mess was born.
6- Teachers at Eton College are called Masters.
7- And every master’s student can buy beer for students aged 17 or younger at The Tap, the school’s bar. The bar is able to do this in violation of UK law because it’s a private, closed social club rather than an official shop. Although the government tried to prevent this in the early 2000s, no legal action was taken.
8- On Eton’s main street, High Street, there are three tailors. The school’s distinctive uniform and associated classic attire have placed these tailors in a position to influence the clothing of the British elite. Graduates of Eton and their families continue to visit these tailors for generations to buy suits, coats, and shoes. This has allowed the elite to maintain their own unique style. One of these tailors, Tom Brown Tailors, has been in service since 1784.
9- Eton College has traditionally played two games that resemble football but are very different from regular football. The first is the Eton Field Game. This game is played on a narrow field, it’s fast and rough. It’s like a mix of football and rugby. The aim is to score a goal by getting the ball between the goalposts. The second, and more famous, is the Eton Wall Game. This game is played along a wall. Players push and shove shoulder to get the ball. Because scoring a goal is very difficult, matches usually end goalless or in a draw. To score a point, you need to move the ball upwards along the wall or, very rarely, score a goal.
10- The striking sculpture Edge II by renowned sculptor Sir Antony Gormley has also adorned one of the school’s boarding houses since 2002. The sculpture depicts a male figure looking down at the road.
11- The UK’s world-renowned postal service has many famous postboxes scattered throughout the country. At Eton, there’s a famous column-shaped version dating back to 1856, built during Queen Victoria’s reign, and thought to be one of only ten remaining in the country. The postbox is still functional, delivering envelopes to their destinations.
12- Another notable feature of Eton is that it set the distance for the modern Olympic marathon. Its story is interesting. The marathon, initially set at 40km for the 1856 Olympics, was increased to 42.195km for the 1908 London Olympics. Normally, the 40km course would start at Eton and go to the Olympic Stadium in London. But the distance was extended so that King Edward VII could watch from Windsor Castle. As a result, the race started from the castle terrace, and 2.195km was added to the course.
13- Have you ever tried Gilbey’s Gin? That bottle also has a story rooted in Eton. Lin Gilbey, the founder of Gilbey’s Bar, which had been open at Eton for 50 years, is also a member of the family that created the gin brand. The restaurant closed its doors last June after a jubilee party. Lin decided to retire.
14- There is also an interesting connection between Eton and the Ottomans. One of the Russian cannons captured during the siege of Sevastopol in 1854-1855, in the Crimean War where England and the Ottomans fought against Russia, is displayed in one of the school’s courtyards.
15- Another urban legend in the town is the claim that the family that founded the state of Pennsylvania in the USA had a house here. Although historical sources don’t support this, our guide is convinced that this turquoise house belonged to the family of William Penn, the founder of the state. In 1681, King Charles II of England granted the noble Penn family the right to use this land in America.
* This content was prepared with the contributions of Great Campaign and Visit Eton.
