10. Sir Antony Gormley’s Statue

Sir Antony Gormley’s Edge II Statue has been attached high up on Common Lane House since 2002.

In a quest to purchase modern art from the best living contemporary artists, it was commissioned by the College in 2001.

Gormley (b.1950) decided where it should be installed on College grounds. Hence the statue faces looking down onto the path, and now onto an Eton Walkway marker.

Former Provost of Eton, Eric Anderson pointed out: ‘For a school keenly interested in rank, relative position and the long strive upwards, his presence above the street is a reminder of another way of looking at the world.’

Opposite the statue is the Tony Little Centre, dedicated to innovation and research in learning. Boys with additional needs study here, and it is where new methods of teaching are discussed.

Nearby is another boys’ house, Hopgarden, which is a reminder that at one time the College had its own brewhouse and the boys routinely drank beer, not water, as was the custom.

Walk on to the end of Common Lane and turn right at the Burning Bush. Walk back along the main road for 60m and then turn into Keate’s Lane on the right.

Follow it for another 60m until Keate House can be seen on the right.