LOCATION & HISTORY The main town in the area is WINDSOR, a traditional English castle-town on the River Thames, thirty-five kilometres to the west of London. The population of Windsor is approximately twenty-eight thousand. WINDSOR CASTLE, which dates from 1070, has been the most important home of the Kings and Queens of England for over eight hundred years. On three sides, Windsor is surrounded by beautiful ROYAL PARKS and farmland. Just across the river to the north is ETON COLLEGE, the famous boys’ school which was founded by King Henry VI in 1440. LOCAL FACILITIES A good range of leisure and cultural activities take place in the vicinity. The WINDSOR THEATRE ROYAL produces some excellent plays many of which move on to London theatres. Concerts with world famous musicians are held at Eton College. Windsor also has a variety of first class shops and restaurants. Whilst living and studying in the secure and pleasant surroundings in the area of Windsor and Datchet, it is easy to make day visits to LONDON and enjoy its theatres, concerts, exhibitions and exciting cultural life. Travelling time from Windsor to Central London is about 35 minutes to London Paddington, changing at Slough. By the direct line (via Datchet) to London Waterloo, travelling time is about 55 minutes. There are frequent train and bus services – and the fast M4 motorway if you have a car. We will help you in making arrangements to participate in the activities of your choice. The area has good SPORTS FACILITIES. These include a modern indoor swimming pool, running track, and squash and tennis clubs. Also in the locality are good facilities for gymnastics, volley-ball, weight-training, indoor tennis, and indoor ice-skating. We are always willing to help you in obtaining information about places to visit locally, in London, and elsewhere. We can assist you in finding out about excursions available by bus and train, and in making reservations for theatres, concerts and exhibitions. *LINKS* - i. To find out more about WINDSOR CASTLE, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_Castle ii. For a MAP of the WINDSOR and DATCHET AREA, click this "TinyURL" link to 'Streetmap': http://tinyurl.com/cqnrr Contact the School: Windsor.ELC@virgin.net (End)