Have a look around Eton Town while you’re in the area – it’s a wonderfully historic place, full of old buildings and rustic little cafes.
Britain’s most well-known school was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, and has educated the sons of the rich and famous ever since. Innumerable big names have passed through its classrooms, including Princes William and Harry, Hugh Laurie, Eddie Redmayne, Ranulph Fiennes, and no fewer than 19 Prime Ministers, including David Cameron. Even fiction authors can’t resist putting their characters through the old public school – Bertie Wooster, Captain Hook and James Bond were all enrolled here (although the latter was expelled for “trouble” with a maid).
The Old and the New
Visiting the school, you will experience a surreal blend of the ancient and the modern, with centuries-old buildings sharing the grounds with modern steel-and-glass constructions. The grounds are quintessentially English, with babbling streams running beside lush green playing fields, and little woods just starting to encroach on old red brick cottages. It often feels more like an idyllic country village than a school.
The Lowest-Scoring Game in the World
The pupils themselves provide a rare insight into the student lifestyle of a bygone era. Eton is well known for its stubborn preservation of tradition. Boys wander chatting between classrooms in full tailcoats, waistcoats and bow ties, before changing for the playing fields, where you might be lucky enough to catch the Eton Wall Game in action. This bizarre and incomparable sport, much beloved by Etonians, is played on a very long and narrow pitch, though scoring is famously difficult – the last proper goal was scored in 1909!
Visit Her Majesty Elizabeth II's favourite home of Windsor Castle with St George’s Chapel, dating back to 1070, and explore the historic town of Eton and the famous Eton College, an ancient school of princes and prime ministers for centuries, including Princes William and Harry and the former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On your private day trip from London, you will:
Experience the pomp and pageantry, royal splendour, and traditions of Royal Windsor and Eton on this lovely half-day guided private tour. You’ll walk in and around Windsor Castle – the Queen’s favourite residence, where she and His Royal Highness the late Prince Philip were quarantined during the pandemic. It was known affectionately as HMS Bubble!
Windsor is a working royal castle, and you’ll visit the state apartments, where His Majesty receives visiting dignitaries and heads of state. You’ll see Queen Mary's exquisite dollhouse - inclusive of a library, globe, and leatherback chairs, which took over three years to complete and learn about working royal life.
Your expert guide will show you around the magnificent St George’s Chapel – another favourite of the Royal Family as a more intimate setting than Westminster Abbey in London. His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales was married to Ms Meghan Markle here, as was HRH Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank.
Most recently it was the chosen venue for the regal yet incredibly moving funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was the Queen’s husband of 73 years – and the longest-serving royal consort of all time.
The chapel is also the burial place of several famous British monarchs and their consorts, including Henry VIII and Charles I.
Coming down the hill and over the river, you will leave Windsor and enter the impossibly quaint town of Eton. See the exterior of Eton College (not open to the public), where you will find yourself walking in the footsteps of 20 of the country’s prime ministers, Oscar winners such as Eddie Redmayne, writers such as Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels and Princes William and Harry.
Step into one of the country's most famous tailors, where the college's uniforms are made, and perhaps learn to tie to the illustrious 'Windsor knot'. Enjoy popping your head into the array of different antique, art and quirky independent shops, and enjoy a relaxing and scenic drive back to London.
Please note: As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, sometimes the entire Castle or the State Apartments within the Castle need to be closed at short notice. We will endeavour to be in touch with you as soon as we have this information.
The British monarchy is perhaps the most famous family in the world. They have majestic palaces, castles and stately homes all over the United Kingdom, but it is said the favourite residence of the House of Windsor, is the medieval Windsor Castle itself. It is also where the late Queen and Prince Philip stayed during the Covid pandemic (known as HMS Bubble), and nearby Eton College is where Princes William and Harry went to school.
On your private full-day tour of Windsor and Eton, you will:
After a scenic train ride from London to Windsor, your day begins with a guided walking tour through the pretty and historic royal town of Windsor towards the castle. You'll learn about the 1000-year history of the town and its royal connections over the centuries.
Windsor Castle dates back to the 11th century when it was first built by William the Conqueror, and is the oldest and largest inhabited, working castle in the world. It is said to be the late Queen's favourite residence, and it is where she and Prince Philip isolated during the pandemic. It was expertly and carefully restored after a mighty fire in 1992.
Upon entering the castle walls, first enjoy a tour of St. George's Chapel, a 15th-century church that has played host to numerous royal weddings including those of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle. It is also a place of royal burial: monarchs both famous and infamous are buried there including Henry VIII (with all the wives), Charles I (who was beheaded) and most recently her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II alongside her beloved husband Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh.
After a guided tour around the exquisite castle grounds and gardens, you will explore the majestic State Apartments with an audio guide. (Tour guides are not permitted to tour inside, the audioguide is included).
Stand in St. George’s Hall, where royal and state banquets are held. Learn about the various ceremonies that take place here like the procession of the Order of the Garter. Admire the intricately decorated staterooms, polished suits of armour and weaponry, famous portraits and medieval heraldry. Learn the many stories and legends associated with the castle over the last thousand years.
After you tour the castle, have your lunch break in Windsor before crossing the bridge for a guided stroll around the quaint town of Eton. See the exterior of Eton College (not open to the public), and walk in the footsteps of more than twenty of the country’s prime ministers, Oscar winners such as Eddie Redmayne, writers such as Ian Fleming, and Princes William and Harry.
Pop into one of the country's most famous tailors, where the college's uniforms are made, and perhaps learn to tie to the illustrious 'Windsor knot'.
Return to London Waterloo with your guide, or opt to stay and explore more of Eton and Windsor and the Great Park at your leisure.
Please note:
- As Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, sometimes the entire Castle or the State Apartments within the Castle need to be closed at short notice. We will endeavour to be in touch with you as soon as we have this information.
- The Tailor shop will only be visited on tours running on weekdays (not on weekends or bank holidays) as the shops are closed.
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