Open Weekend 2010

As part of the Discovering Places Weekend Blue Badge guides Amanda Bryett and Laura Comley-Smith hosted a guided walk and a cycling tour of Windsor and Eton discovering the towns' 1908 and 1948 Games Heritage.  With the 2012 Games fast approaching Laura & Amanda were tasked by Discovering Places and London 2012 to provide an experience that challenged all those taking part- to discover the area's amazing heritage with regards to the Olympics.

If you are interested in taking a group to visit Eton Dorney Rowing Lake officially accredited Blue Badge 2012 Guides are available to book.  Please see details on our group visits section.

Discovering Windsor's 1908 & 1948 Games Heritage - Cycle Tour 

This gentle, flat guided cycle took participants from Windsor via Eton to the spectacular Eton College Rowing Centre at Dorney Lake, with some fabulous views of Windsor Castle, Eton College and the River Thames along the way. Participants discovered some of Windsor and Eton's sporting heritage, they heard how things are shaping up for 2012 whilst enjoying the ride together largely along off-road cycle paths.

Did you know?

• The 1908 Olympic Marathon started at Windsor Castle
• Both the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Rowing Events took place at Henley on Thames
• The Rowing, Flat Water Canoeing and Adaptive Rowing Events in 2012 will be held at the Eton College Rowing Centre, Dorney Lake.

Discovering Windsor's 1908 & 1948 Games Heritage - Walking Tour

Blue Badge Guide Amanda Bryett took a group for a walking tour of Windsor and Eton looking at the 1908 Olympic Marathon route as well as the 1948 road cycling route plus the 1948 torch relay.  Participants heard the amazing story of the 1908 Olympic marathon and how the authorities kept changing the arrangements for the start and then how the whole thing was thrown into chaos when Princess Mary (later Queen Mary) turned up! The stroll took the group along the actual route of the marathon highlighting other amazing stories of the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games and how London saved the day as the city wasn't even supposed to host the games in those years. A series of vintage photographs from the 1908 & 1948 events accompanied the tour adding a real sense of the area's rich heritage and links with the Olympic movement.

Participants engaged with the vivid history of the tour including an athlete in training for the 2016 Games and three siblings whose grandmother had watched the 1948 road cycling race.

Did you know that?

• The 1908 Olympic marathon started at Windsor Castle
• The modern marathon distance of 26 miles 365 yards is the distance between Windsor Castle and White City stadium in London
• The only original 1908 marathon route marker is in Eton High Street · The 1948 Olympic torch relay came through Windsor and Eton · The 1948 Olympic road cycle race was held in Windsor Great Park.