Swimming at Eton College

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Cuckoo Weir 

Eton College constructed four swimming places on the river, with Cuckoo Weir (below) for the younger boys. Fencing enclosed the area and a mound of earth running the length of the opposite bank screened the boys from view.

The History of swimming at Windsor and Eton

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Swimming was once commonplace in the Thames

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Windsor's old bathing place: Bath Island, lies to the rear of Windsor Leisure Centre.

Above: Very rare footage of swimming at Cuckoo Weir taken in the 1920's. Boys from Eton School camp by the river and swim throughout the day.

Athens

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On the main river, opposite the Royal Windsor Race Course stands Athens.

The inscription reads: "This bathing place of Athens was presented to Eton College by Hiatt c. Baker in memory of his son John Lionel Baker a brilliant swimmer who spent here many of the happiest hours of his boyhood." He was killed in a flying accident in August 1917 while still a member of the school.

On the side of the stone facing the river the inscription reads: "Bathing regulations at Athens - Fifth Form Nants in First Hundred and Upper and Middle Divisions may bathe at Athens. No bathing at Athens on Sundays after 8.30 a.m.  At Athens, boys who are undressed must either get at once into the water or get behind screens when boats containing ladies come in sight. Boys when bathing are not allowed to land on the Windsor Bank or to swim out to launches and barges or to hang onto, or interfere with, boats of any kind.  Any boy breaking this rule will be severely punished. From 'School Rules of the River.' 1921"