nyse

We had hoped to take a guided tour of EC, instead of just walking the streets.

But their website announces:
"Owing to building work, we regret we cannot accommodate any public visits to Eton at present. When the work is completed, hopefully by Autumn 2015, public tours will resume."

Hoping someone may have suggestions on how to effectively visit?
Thanks in advance~

PalenQ

You still may be able to walk around the quad if students not in class IME and see those famous playing fields 'where future wars were won'.

In any case Eton the town and school is a neat visit - go there regardless of whether you can take the official tour or not. Sound nice old pubs on the High Street coming off the bridge over the Thames - just a short stroll from Windsor Castle and the town centre.

sofarsogood

I'm not sure what you want - effectively visit Eton College despite it being closed to the public? Break-in?? bribe a fag?? (Eton terminology).

Closed means closed.

Visit the local Castle (Windsor), visit the local comprehensive...

or make a (very) large donation.

flanneruk

"You still may be able to walk around the quad if students not in class IME and see those famous playing fields 'where future wars were won'"

Very unlikely. From the front lodge to the playing fields involves going through several quads, and strangers will be spotted.

Given the growing neurosis among pupils' parents about paparazzi and kidnapping threats, it's probable heightened security is part of the reason for the construction work.

You might try telling the school you're thinking of sending nyse junior there, pay the couple of hundred quid registration fee and see if they'll make an exception for you.

PalenQ

things have indeed changed in the several years I did poke around the college and understandably as flanner explains. but at least you can peek in the entrance I think.

But just to see the Eton lads praancing around town in their formal black pants and white shirts and ties - well I probably recall them incorrectly or the dress code has changed?

flanneruk

"things have indeed changed in the several years"

The volume of tourism is becoming an ever-growing headache at SE England's historic educational places - and at the schools (as distinct from the universities), there's growing pressure, from the law, from the risk of lawsuits and from parents, to preserve children's privacy.

Eton's dress code during school hours hasn't changed, and they do still wear the gear around the streets of the town.

nyse

Thank you for above replies - guess what I was hoping for was "it's a little known fact, but the Chapel is actually open to the public from 11-noon on Tuesday..." or "turn right at the second alley and you'll end up at the playing fields gate."

Will content myself with a nice old pub. Thanks~

flanneruk

You MIGHT try positioning yourself as a student of English medieval wallpaintings (or of the spectacularly hypocritical attitude to iconography of the Anglican church since the late 18th century, of Prince Albert's bizarrely deranged advice to his wife's subjects or of the medieval relationship between painting and liturgical music), gen up on the extraordinary role Eton Chapel has played in all of these (in either Roger Rosewell's, or Howe's, McBurney's, Park's, Rickerby's and Schekede's recent books on the subject) and email the school for special permission to view the chapel.

Properly phrased, the letter might make the authorities feel unable to refuse access to someone a great deal more knowledgeable about the college's history than its administrators have ever shown themselves to be.

nyse

Thanks for the thoughtful suggestion Flanner, but there's no way I could pull it off.
I have an open, honest demeanor.