Head down Eton High Street and discover quintessentially English teddy bears – or find out where the local schoolmasters have their breakfast. By Smita Talati.
Start your day on Eton High Street, which is renowned for its eclectic art and antique shops and has a great selection of pubs and restaurants. Cross over the bridge at Windsor, with romantic castle buildings in the background, and work your way down the half-mile long street till you get to the impressive buildings and chapel of Eton College.
Eton Antique Bookshop. 88 High Street.
Bookworms will love mooching around this reassuringly fusty antique bookshop. Most subjects are covered. Good collection of maps and prints. Also fine-bound literature, poetry and history. Offers a book search service.
Hardy & Hooper, 54 High Street.
This is a dress shop the way they used to be. Interesting selection of ready-made couture dresses, separates, fabrics and accessories. Also offers an in-house made-to-measure dress service, and wardrobe consultancy. Personal service is guaranteed. Don’t miss.
Web – www.hardyandhooper.co.uk
Jam & Eton Applied Arts. 81 High Street
This hip studio shop has an exquisite collection of jewellery, glassware, prints and ceramics from some of Britain’s most exciting young contemporary artists. The shop participates in the Art Loan scheme, allowing you to spread the cost of any work over £100 over 10 months at 0% interest. Web – www.etonappliedarts.co.uk
Eton Castle. 103 High Street
This is the place to come if you need your handbag, purse, leather jacket or suitcase repairing. Don’t be put off by the display of air rifles and torches in the window!
Web – www.leathergoodsrepairs.co.uk
Asquiths Teddy Bear Shop, 33 High Street, Eton.
Quintessentially English. This sweet little treasure trove sells every kind of teddy bear. Classic Stieff bears start at £99.95. We love the limited edition Jeremy Fisher in his wicker basket (£115). Web – www.asquiths.com.
Murrays of Eton, 19 High Street, Eton.
Old-fashioned hairdressing parlour and coffee shop. Very stylish, with dark emerald walls, black leather armchairs and wooden flooring. Cut, wash and blow dry costs £35. Or perch on a high stool by the Victorian fireplace and enjoy a cappuccino, while watching the world go by. The food is superb.
Roost, 111 High Street, Eton.
Indulge your Marie Antoinette fantasies in this pretty blue-clad gift shop. It is stuffed to the brim with French and Scandivanian-inspired fabrics, lighting, cushions, bags, writing paper, bath scents and furniture. The lovely owner goes out of her way to source items from antique dealers off-the-beaten track. “If anyone tells me they’ve seen something in here somewhere else, I’ll never stock it again.” We believe her! Web – www.roost.co.uk
J.Gane & Co, 125 High Street.
Shoe branch of traditional gentleman’s outfitters New & Lingwood. You won’t find break-your-neck strappy sandals or wedges here, but you can pick up a pair of comfy Italian pumps or posh Hunter wellies at reasonable prices. Also does shoe repairs. Web – www.newandlingwood.com
Zero 345 High Street
Retro-style café, with tiled walls, steel chairs and black & white prints of Hollywood legends. Enormous portions. We love the English breakfasts. “We don’t do fast food, just good food as fast as we can,” says it all really. Equally popular with Eton masters donned in top coat and tails and local builders. No loo, so nip to the public conveniences over the road in Eton Court first.
Pots About U
Grab a coffee and a muffin, and unleash your creativity in this pottery studio. Paint a mug, plate, or vase. Also caters for groups. Visit www.potsaboutu.com.
Fast Facts
Half-hourly trains from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside take 55 minutes. If you’re driving, Eton is ten minutes from the M4 (Junction 6) with a Car Park in Eton court and street parking. Public loos are in Eton Court, halfway down the High Sreet. There are Barclays and Coutts & Co cash machines and the Post Office is at 137 High Street.
