Eton Wick is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Eton, in the Windsor and Maidenhead district, in Berkshire, England. Historically it was part of Buckinghamshire.[1] Between the River Thames and the Jubilee River, the village is close to the towns of Windsor, Eton and Slough.
The village has a long history, with evidence of habitation dating back over 5,500 years, including a Neolithic causewayed enclosure and a variety of later historical periods marked by significant agricultural and social development.[2][3]
History
Prehistoric to medieval period
Eton Wick's history extends to the Neolithic era, as indicated by archaeological findings of a causewayed enclosure and various artefacts. Over centuries, the area evolved through Roman and Medieval periods, maintaining a predominantly agricultural character.[4]
Early modern period
After the construction of Eton College in the 15th century, a small group of houses were built immediately west to the college grounds. Making up the homes of shoemakers, tailors, and college workers, the hamlet was physically separated from the rest of Eton by land owned by the college, and was known as the wick.[5] The wick was on the very edge of the parish, on the opposite side of the border adjacent to the village; cottages were built to house farmhands working at nearby Bell Farm.
18th and 19th century developments
Looking across the fields toward the Parish Church
In the 18th century, Eton Wick saw changes in agriculture with the introduction of crop rotations and selective breeding. The village was traditionally managed through a system of Lammas rights, which allowed communal grazing on the commons. The 19th century brought industrial advances and the village began to modernize with the introduction of railway connections and better road infrastructure. The college was traditionally responsible for the social well-being of the settlement[5] and throughout the 19th century, scholars at Eton College took a personal interest in the village. building a village hall and, in 1840, a small school in the village. Eton Wick Census records reveal that in 1851 that there were 76 children recorded as "Scholars". The village grew rapidly between the 1880s and the 2000s.[6][7]
In 1880, the owner of Bell Farm, Charles Dorney, sold some of his land for residential building. The new village was called Boveney New Town. After the Civil Parish Act 1894, the Wick was transferred from Eton parish to Boveney parish and became known as Eton Wick. Eton Wick and Boveney New Town were almost immediately next to each other yet both retained their own councils until 1934. The population of the villages during this time was around 500.[8]
20th century and modern development
Narrowboat 'Corrie d'Or' on the River Thames at Eton WickPoppies in a field at Eton Wick
The early 20th century was a period of significant social and physical development for Eton Wick. In 1906, Edward Littleton Vaughan, master at Eton College for 27 years, played a pivotal role in founding the Eton Wick and Boveney Institute, now known as the Village Hall, which became a social hub for the community. The hall was intended to foster fellowship and recreation, initially excluding, but later including, women and girls in its activities.[9][10]
During the World Wars, Eton Wick adapted to the national demands, with the village hall serving as a school for evacuees and a gathering place for community support activities.[11]
Post-war Eton Wick witnessed a period of renewal, marked by the introduction of secondary education and the establishment of modern council housing bringing the population up to around 3,000.[12]
In 1965, the land surrounding the village was registered as common land under the Commons Registration Act, meaning the land cannot be developed without permission from the Secretary of State for the Environment.[8]
Civil parish
In 1931 the parish had a population of 506.[13] The parish was formed in 1894 from the rural part of the parish of Eton, on 1 April 1934 the parish was abolished and merged with Eton.[14]
Historically an agricultural village, Eton Wick has evolved with significant residential development. The local economy was traditionally based on farming, market gardening, and small-scale industries like laundries that serviced nearby Eton College. Today, the village is predominantly residential with local businesses supporting the community.[15]
Culture and community
Eton Wick has maintained a strong community spirit evidenced by its many local traditions and activities. Annual events such as the Eton Wick Horticultural Show and various community gatherings at the Village Hall highlight the village's social cohesion. The village hall, a central institution, continues to host events and activities, such as regular meetings of the Eton Wick History Group fostering a sense of community among residents.[16] The village is also home to the History on Wheels motor museum, housing a wide collection of military and civilian vehicles, and militaria dating from 1900 to the 1950’s.[17]
Vintage cars in the collection of the History on Wheels motor museum in Eton Wick.
The Village Hall, originally the Eton Wick and Boveney Institute, stands out as a historical and social landmark. The village's proximity to historical sites like Windsor Castle and Eton College adds to its cultural significance. Local governance and community-led initiatives have helped preserve the village's heritage and identity amidst broader regional changes.
Notable resident
British actor, soldier, memorialist, and novelist David Niven moved to Wheatbutts Cottage in Eton Wick during the 1940s. Fellow actor Errol Flynn was known to visit Niven in the village.[18][19][20]
As it flows from Boveney to Windsor, the River Thames meets the Boveney Ditch stream just south east of Eton Wick. Boveney Ditch is formed by the merging of Roundmoor (drainage) Ditch and the habitually dried up Cress Brook just west of Eton Wick.[22][better source needed] After Romney Lock and weir, the Thames is fed by Colenorton Brook (called Common Ditch upstream of Eton College) and then the Willow Brook (called Chalvey Ditch upstream of the College) to the east of Eton Wick. More recently the Jubilee River, an artificial secondary channel to the Thames, was built between Maidenhead and Datchet for flood relief. It was completed in 2002 and runs to the north of Eton Wick, cutting through the Roundmoor, Chalvey and Common Ditches, which are all carried in siphons beneath it to continue on their original courses.[6][23]
Sport and leisure
Eton Wick has a local football team, Eton Wick F.C., that plays at Hayward's Mead.
