Eton is a small town of just under 5,000 people located just across the River Thames from Windsor castle, one of Britain’s most well known landmarks. Despite its size, Eton is arguably equally famous because of the presence of Eton College, a fee-paying boarding school for boys aged between 13 and 18. Walking through the town’s picturesque mediaeval streets you might not notice just how many of the buildings are owned by the school, but during term time it is hard to miss the characteristic black and blue striped ties which have been part of the school’s uniform for centuries. Founded by Henry VI in 1440 under the name ‘Kynge’s College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore’, the school has developed a reputation as one of the most elite educational institutions in the world. As a result, the legacy of hundreds of years of aristocratic politics and snobbery have inevitably left an indelible mark on this part of Berkshire. So, while Windsor and Eton are undoubtedly lovely places to visit on a sunny weekend, they can be difficult places to live, both because house prices are so high and because status and privilege are displayed so flagrantly.

Like other confusingly named ‘public’ schools, Eton is only distinct from other private fee-paying schools because of its history and charitable status. Parents pay £46,296 per year for their child to attend the college, which makes it the sixth most expensive boarding school in the UK. For this money children get access to world class teaching, sports facilities, arts and drama studios and a boating lake which was used during the 2012 Olympics. Yet, the reputation and network of alumni is arguably the most valuable thing students gain access to when they first step through the school’s hallowed doors at thirteen years old.

Actors like Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Redmayne are both recent Eton graduates and have gained stardom for their leading roles in Marvel’s Avengers and JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Similarly, Ian Flemming, George Orwell and Aldous Huxley all passed through the halls of the school at the beginning of the 20th century and went on to become some of the most influential authors of their time. Other notable alumni include the economist John Maynard Keynes, the current Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welb, the TV survivalist Bear Grylls, and the all together shadier Alexander Nix who was the founder and CEO of Cambridge Analytica. However, it is the school’s deep connection to politics that generates the most interest. Most recently, former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and David Cameron, as well as former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng have all attended the school. Eton’s Influence on British politics is by no means a new phenomenon either. Prime Ministers such as Robert Walpole, William Gladstone, James Balfour, Harold Macmillan, and Alec Douglas-Home are all among the most consequential figures in modern British political history, and would all have counted themselves as ‘old Etonians.’

Before the school was established in 1440, Eton was a small hamlet which had been set up by the Normans upon their conquest of Britain in 1066. Yet all of the surrounding land was given to the school upon its founding which effectively stopped further growth. However, the establishment of the school did lead to the creation of Eton Wick, which is located just over one mile down the road to the west of the old town. Originally occupied by Shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, and other workers who worked in the college, the hamlet was physically separated from the rest of Eton by land owned by the college and became known as the Wick. The village now largely comprises larger semi-detached properties which were built after World War Two. While not as exclusive as Eton itself, these houses are often extremely expensive because of their idyllic countryside setting, famous postcode, and proximity to good transport links which take you into the middle of London.

As far as Eton’s future prospects go, it is unlikely that a major new development will come along and significantly change things. The character and architecture of the town has not changed much in the last 100 years and is unlikely to do so in the next century either. Having said this, the opening of the Elizabeth Line in 2022 does make it even easier to commute into London as Slough Station is only 10 minutes drive to the north of the old town. Equally, Eton college has recently finished building a bespoke 25 metre timber framed swimming pool designed by Hopkins Architects, to which residents of Eton and Eton Wick may apply for membership. The school has also recently gained permission to build its first new residential boarding house in 50 years, which will house 55 students as well as a kitchen, library, games room, dining room and living room.