From the railway station, turn right onto Farm Yard, left onto the river path, then right to cross Eton Bridge. Continue along the traffic-free High Street past individual shops and historic properties. The early-17th century Crown and Cushion, left, has been an inn since 1753. Right, at Nos. 47–49, the early-15th century building known as The Cockpit (now The Tiger Garden restaurant) is the oldest in Eton. Note the original fire plaque and stocks in front. The 1856 postbox was the first all-metal design and still functions today. At No. 98, on the left, The Turks Head is a former pub dating from c.1520.

Continue ahead, and at the end of the High Street are the buildings of Eton College. Right is the chapel; opposite is the entrance for public tours; beside it is the grand domed building housing the library. The ornate wrought-iron lamp here is known as 'The Burning Bush'. Return to the bridge.

Turn left onto Thames Side. Go through a set of wrought-iron gates and follow Romney Walk. There are good views from here to Windsor Castle to one side, while on the other bank – foliage permitting – you can catch glimpses of Eton College and the chapel. Continue ahead on a drive, pass a cottage dated 1898, and an octagonal building of 1912 which houses the waterworks for Windsor Castle. On reaching a boatyard, turn left to the water’s edge and go through a kissing gate to walk along the grassy tow path beside the river. Pass under a railway bridge. Keep to the river path, but as you approach the next bridge veer right to the far end of the white railings.

Turn left and follow the pavement over Victoria Bridge. Bear right on the far side and follow the Thames Path through the trees, with views of the Thames and the Home Park and the pinnacles of The Chapel of St George, Windsor Castle. On reaching the road, via a footbridge, turn right along the B470, then left into Queens Road, and walk into the centre of Datchet.

This attractive riverside village has many historic buildings and strong literary associations. The main road to Windsor was the Datchet Lane in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives  of Windsor (1602). Falstaff was transported along this road on his way to face a ducking in the Thames. The village is also mentioned in Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat (1889). Walk along to the green, turn right into High Street and head to the railway station for your return train.