Having been to Eton once, I think PalenQ's point is to simply take in the unique historical ambiance of the place. It's just across the bridge from the town of Windsor, very "pure" & pretty, better in that regard than the town of Windsor and maybe even the castle.

I can understand making alternative suggestions but I never quite understand the reasoning behind posting to simply shoot down others' ideas. That, in my opinion, is a 10 on the boring scale.

anyone who finds Eton 'totally boring' is hard to imagine what they find interesting!

Yes all I was saying IF you go to Windsor take a peek at this world-famous institution - I do not say it is a reason for going to Windsor but a plus once there and yes just a few-minute stroll from the castle area.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationP...e_England.html

well these shots appear (of Eton) all along the main road from the bridge - check out the old architecture and several really neat ancient pubs - come to Eton for a pub lunch if nudding else!

Eton is a public school, not a prep school. A prep school takes boys from about 9 to 13 and prepares them for the entrance exams for public school.
Although many of the pupils are rich, apparently about 20% get some financial assistance and there are bursaries and scholarships

Americans would call that a Prep School - prepping for college and we have many of these that charge a ton of money - the Bush's went to I think Exeter and if you say Public School to use it means public - in Britain it means private for some weird reason - any idea why?

Yes, the public/private school reversal is interesting in English vs. American English.

And I believe, in the 19th century, well-bred ladies attended "private seminaries" for their education and 'finishing.' (And this is exactly how Jane Austen wrote it: PRIVATE seminaries.)

Vive la différence.

So that is how we got Finishing Schools as I have heard of them before gals were deemed fit to go to proper colleges.

Like you have ever been at Choate, Eton, Harrow, Winchester, or Roedean.

You prove my point when I say New Yorkers are the most provincial people on the planet.

Just discount the brilliance needed to get though these schools by calling the students spoilt rich kids.

Daft and clueless as usual posting here in Fodorville.

Thin

Well IMHO NYers are NOT the most provincial people. We happen to have a ton of well-known private schools here - I know - my DDs attended one of them and there are several others in our immediate neighborhood.

I have no problem with people sending their children to private schools to get a better education - just don't think visiting one is in the same category as Hampton court.

And Choate is in CT - unless there's another one in the UK perhaps.

I know where Choate is sweetie.

My cousin Muffy graduated from Choate.

I only mentioned Choate because YOU did.

Don't backpedal. You wrote "very rich spoiled kids."

Have you been drinking?


Thin

Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_...United_Kingdom)
They started as charity schools for poor but clever boys the article explains the "public" bit.

Scholarships have been a central part of Eton ever since King Henry VI founded the College for the 70 King’s Scholars in 1440. Today, there are still 70 King’s Scholars in the school, but in recent years we have expanded our scholarship schemes considerably: Music Scholarships were first awarded in 1970; Sixth Form Scholarships in 1988; New Foundation Scholarships were awarded for the first time in 2009. Sixth Form Scholarships are usually awarded to boys at UK maintained schools, but occasionally, deserving applicants from fee-charging UK schools can also be considered. New Foundation Scholarships are awarded to boys at UK maintained schools, joining the School at age 13. In a typical year there are about 130 scholarship boys. The Horizon Foundation Scholarship is designated to benefit a boy coming from the Middle East, entering the School as a Sixth Form Scholar. Tsukanov Scholarships are available for boys who are exceptionally talented both musically and academically and have Russian or former Soviet Union heritage. The Michael Meredith Drama Bursary is awarded at sixth form level to a boy joining the School who will make a significant contribution to Eton Drama, either on the stage, as a crew technician, or as a playwright and director. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Music Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding musician from a family who could not otherwise afford school fees and who is from a UK maintained school. This is one of only two musically related scholarships offered at sixth form level.

Eton's aim is that finances will not be an obstacle to any boy who is offered a scholarship. Means-tested bursaries can augment the scholars' automatic 10% fee reduction. There are a large number of boys who are charged a very small fee; about 40 boys are educated free of charge, and in several cases the School pays for extras, including school uniform and in some cases even pocket money.

Eton is looking for boys of high academic promise or high musical promise or high theatrical promise who will benefit from the opportunities that Eton provides and who will contribute strongly to the life of the school.

Just discount the brilliance needed to get though these schools by calling the students spoilt rich kids.

Daft and clueless as usual posting here in Fodorville.>

a spade is a spade no matter how you look at it - some kids may be on scholarship (talking about NY Prep schools not UK) but it is mainly dolts like W Bush and the ilk that yes are spoiled (correct grammar learnt in public school) rotten rich kids for the most part.

Prep schools = elitism at its worst and the SAT as well!

But no one was discussing New York City prep schools here.

A poster stated that no one could possibly want to visit Eton College because it is filled with "very rich spoiled kids."

Why are you going on and on about George Bush? What does he have to do with a walk about Eton College?

More rantings from people who have spent a day in Berks and suddenly know anything and everything about its residents.

Don't go into the Ladies at the Bells of Ouzeley, there may be a snooty bint in there.

Thin

^^^<i>"just don't think visiting one is in the same category as Hampton court."</i>

No one is comparing Eton to HC; the point is if one visits Windsor, Eton is just across the bridge and I would also include Runnymede.
3 for 1

Gosh good to see the whole education Eton thing going along. I turned down going to Eton but having been to University with many from Eton I can say that they are seriously bright people. Money may or may not have had its affect but these are bright boys. I guess there may have been the odd dunce at the back but I would say they equate to Manchester Grammer school as having the top output in the country.

And "Public schools" were introduced to differentiate them from private schools which were the schools that say a Duke would have for his children, hence the idea of Public was that were open to all (assuming they had the money). See Tom Brown's School days.

I only know that Prince Charles, or I think, and Prince William and other royals from a family not know for their cerebal development got into Eton - so it is not true that some folks buy a place in Eton when a baby is born - that said I would assume the vast majority of Etonites are fairly sharp and with all the extra help even dolts like the British royals can succeed - well at least matriculate.

Runnymede indeed could easily be a 3rd spoke on the Windsor Wheel - I walked to Runnymede from Windsor Castle - a nice several mile walk - then walked from Runnymede to Slough - some city with a name like that on the Thames.

I was underwhelmed by Runnymede but I guess being in the exact spot all those things happened was nice - I enjoyed the lovely walk thru Windsor Great Park more than an overgrown with weeds, etc Runnymede (at last time at least) with just a few small markers - one an American monument of some sort.