Berkshire (Eton town and Windsor Great Park)
Eton (Berkshire) often gets reduce to just one headline (home to England’s poshest private school, with boys in boater hats). However, Eton is also a town in itself, and there’s lots to do here, and plenty of places to visit nearby.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs on leads near rivers (and away from toxic spring bulbs).
Eton Swan Sanctuary (helping graceful birds)
The town of Eton is home to one of of England’s swan sanctuaries, which gives advice to help our graceful swans.
The seven-acre site on the River Thames houses Cuckoo Weir Island, a tranquil and peaceful location. It has 10 outdoor pens to house up to 180 swans needing help, with each one containing a pond, for a constant flow of river water.
The intensive care unit has 10 heated indoor pens for poorly swans, and a treatment room with various medical supplies, including a specialist ‘swan bath’ for swans covered in oil.
An easy way to raise funds is to sign up with easyfundraising (nominate Swan Lifeline, then anytime you buy things with shops or services, it donates a portion of profits, at no cost to you). You can if preferred donate anonymously, set up a giving account at Charities Aid Foundation.
Walk the High Street (a compact town centre)
Eton High Street is compact, and that’s the point. You can walk around it without a plan, taking in independent bookshops, small art galleries and independent shopfronts that still look like real community spaces).
It’s also an easy place to slow down. The side streets pull you away from traffic, and you start noticing doors, brickwork, and the small signs that mark old institutions.
See Eton School up close (handsome buildings)
Eton is known for its posh school (past alumni include Royal Family sons and former Prime Ministers. Along with actors (Damian Lewis, Dominic West and Hugh Laurie).
Eton College (despite being one of the most exclusive and expensing boarding schools in England, has faced many controversies over the years, showing that it’s not as lovely and innocent as beautiful swans!
Recently it has received agricultural subsidies from the EU, a bit daft considering its wealth, while farmers struggle. Yet the school charges around £40K per student each year?
Other controversies over the years have included:
- American actress Talulah Bankhead who famously said ‘I’m as pure as the driven slush’, was accused of smuggling boys under a rug in her car, in order to corrupt them with sex and drugs. The M15 investigated but could find no proof.
- The college received £3 million in national lottery grants towards a new sports complex, while the local athletic club had no money to build a running track.
- In 2022, a group of state school girls who attended a talk given by Nigel Farage, were booed and subjected to misogynistic language. Nigel said the talk atmosphere was ‘riotous’.
Cross to Windsor (basically next door)
Eton and Windsor face each other across the Thames, and the connection feels natural. You can move between them on foot, which means you can pair a calm Eton morning with a busier Windsor afternoon. The walk takes just 15 minutes (around half a mile) over the bridge, connecting Windsor Castle to Eton College.
The star attraction of this affluent town is of course Windsor Castle, one of the oldest occupied castles on earth. It has grand state apartments inside and the quieter St George’s Chapel. There is however controversy due to local dog walkers having had their areas cut off, due to a huge exclusion zone, since the Prince and Princess of Wales moved in.
Follow the Thames Path for a low-effort walk
The Thames in Eton has that steady, unbothered feel. The path suits almost any pace, whether you’re stretching your legs for 20 minutes or settling into a longer wander.
Along the way you’ll see rowers, dog walkers (keep on leads near water), and people doing nothing in particular. That ordinary mix makes the river feel like part of daily life, not just a view.
Spend time by the water at Eton Wick
Eton Wick village sits close by and feels more residential. It’s useful if you want to step away from the centre without leaving the area.
The river still shapes the mood here. You get open skies, flat paths, and a sense of how the Thames supports the whole patchwork of Eton and its edges.
Book a river trip (the done thing in Eton!)
Boats are part of the local rhythm here, from rowing shells to small leisure trips. Taking to the water shows you the town’s edges and back views, which are often the best ones.
Even a short cruise changes the scale. Buildings that seem formal from the street look softer from the river, and the trees start to feel like the main feature.
Watch rowing practice (a real tradition)
Rowing in Eton isn’t just ceremony, it’s routine. You’ll see early starts, steady repetition, and the quiet teamwork that sits behind the famous images.
It’s also a good excuse to stand still for a while. The river gives you something to watch without demanding anything back.
Find a pub lunch (sip a real pint!)
Eton has pubs that suit a simple meal and a long chat. You can tell when a place is used by locals as well as visitors, because the mood stays relaxed.
Go for seasonal plates, a pint, and a table near the window. After that, the town feels easier to read, as if you’ve been let in slightly!
Look for small, local shops (not tacky souvenirs)
Unlike say London, here Eton offers proper shops that sell proper goods, from local produce to nice items to take home to loved ones.
The best approach is to browse without urgency. You’re more likely to notice the handmade cards, local prints, or good stationery when you aren’t rushing.
Take in the churches and chapels (calm architecture)
Eton’s historic buildings aren’t only linked to school life. The churches and chapels add another layer, with stonework, memorials, and a kind of stillness you can step into.
Even if you’re not there for worship, these spaces offer a pause. They also help explain why Eton looks the way it does, with its older patterns held in place.
Walk the back lanes (the town’s real texture)
The quieter lanes behind the main route feel more intimate. You notice how buildings meet the pavement, how gardens tuck behind walls, how sound changes when traffic drops away.
This is also where Eton feels least like an idea and most like a home. It’s not dramatic, and that’s exactly why it works.
Sandhurst (woodland walks and local history)
Sandhurst is not just an army base, it’s a town in East Berkshire (bordering Hampshire and Surrey) that has many green spaces and independent shops to browse. Nearby Bracknell is also a popular place, close to a local forest.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst gives the town a name that travels far beyond Berkshire. There are many military memorials nearby, in the town that trains army officers.
Nearby Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve offers countryside views and seasonal wildflowers, with birdsong and movement in the hedgerows for nature-interested peeps!
A day trip to Berkshire Downs (open space)
The Berkshire Downs are rolling chalk hills, with open grassland and long views. Quite low lying, they have paths that run along ridges, and the Ridgeway National Trail is one of England’s oldest routes, with views of Watership Down.
Bring decent shoes and keep your route simple. It’s the kind of landscape that doesn’t need much commentary, it just lets you breathe. This area borders the Hampshire Downs, scene of the the novel Watership Down.
Nearby Slough: more than a motorway stop!
Known for being the setting of TV comedy series The Office, this urban area is popular with people who work at Heathrow or Windsor. There are local parks, but it’s less ‘pretty’ than most other Berkshire towns.
Reading is often treated as a change-at station too, yet again this nearby town has paths alongside the Thames and Kennet canals, and historic Reading Abbey ruins. It also has nice parks at Forbury Gardens.
Windsor Great Park (and the Long Walk)
Windsor castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle on earth, overlooking the River Thames. Walk through Great Park to see ancient oak trees and herds of red deer. The Long Walk, a straight path lined with trees leading to the castle, offers some of the best views in the county.
Dogs must be well-trained and kept under control, and away from resident deer and other wildlife. There have been recent reports of blue-green algae on Obelisk Ponds, so the council says to keep dogs away (and don’t let dogs drink the water either) until further notice.
There are many horse tracks here (identified by orange/red sand) so stay off these and keep dogs on lead, if not good on recall. Read this guide for dog guardians and horse riders to safely share space.
Controversy Over Dog Walking Exclusions
For many years, Windsor residents have happily walked their dogs here. Although they can still do so, there is now a huge exclusion zone of over 2 miles, to protect the privacy of new residents at Windsor Great Park, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Obviously they need privacy, but when they could have chosen many other homes, the exclusion zone has meant that many people now have to change their routes, which is difficult for some without cars. One local said:
Many of us have been walking our dogs here for 20 years. We pay annually towards the upkeep of a park but we are no longer going to be allowed to use part of it.
They’ve only given us a few days’ notice to say this section of forest is closing for ever. Now I’ll need to get in my car to drive further afield to take my dog for a walk.
What is surprising is that Prince William is known to adore dogs, yet now people locally can’t walk their dogs on favourite routes, due to the six-mile exclusion zone.
Get to Windsor Great Park from London
From London, the simplest option is the train to Windsor. Depending on your route and connections, travel time is often around 30 to 60 minutes, then a short walk puts you in town. From there, you can reach the park on foot.
Most visitors begin in one of these places:
- Windsor town and the castle area: best for stepping straight onto the Long Walk.
- Park gates near Virginia Water: handy for the lake and woodland routes.
- Other edges of the park: useful if you’re coming from nearby towns or cycling in.
After you arrive in Windsor, you’ve got choices. You can walk up towards the castle, take a local bus towards Virginia Water, hop in a taxi, or cycle if you’ve brought a bike. Before setting off, check the day’s rail plan, especially on Sundays, because engineering works can change the route.
When to visit for the best views
Each season shifts the mood. Spring brings fresh green and blossom. Summer feels shaded under the trees, although midday can get busy. Autumn adds colour and softer light, and the paths often feel calmer. Winter can be crisp and clear, with long views, but mud appears quickly after rain.
Early mornings usually give you the quietest paths and the cleanest photos. Also, the castle view down the Long Walk looks sharper before the day hazes up.
Weather changes fast, so dress in layers and pack a waterproof. If the forecast shows heavy rain, expect puddles and soft ground. It’s also smart to check for event days and occasional closures, because access can shift without much warning.
Walking the Long Walk: the classic route
The Long Walk is simple on paper, a straight line between Windsor Castle and the Copper Horse statue. In real life, it’s a slow reveal. The castle sits behind you at one moment, then it’s framed by trees, then it’s suddenly huge again when you look back.
Read dog-walking advice for Windsor Great Park (to keep all creatures safe).
The path feels formal, even a bit ceremonial, but it’s also relaxed. Because it’s wide, you don’t need to keep stepping aside. Because it’s straight, you don’t need to keep checking directions.
The route runs from the castle end of Windsor (at the top of the Long Walk) to the Copper Horse, a statue of King George III on Snow Hill. One-way distance is about 4.3 km. If you walk there and back, it’s roughly 8.6 km.
Time depends on your pace and how often you stop:
- Easy pace with photos: about 60 to 80 minutes one way
- Brisk walk: about 40 to 55 minutes one way
The Long Walk is mostly flat and broad, with a firm surface in many places. Still, edges can get muddy after rain, and puddles can linger in winter. Pushchairs usually manage fine, and many wheelchair users find it workable, although conditions vary after bad weather.
The Nearby Town of Windsor (Berkshire)
Windsor is an affluent town with views of the castle, situated 3 miles north of the village of Old Windsor (300 years older). Situated on the River Thames, it overlooks its twin town of Eton. One person born here was former pop star Chesney Hawkes, who famously sang the one-hit wonder ‘I am the one and only!’
