How to get to Queen Ethelburga's

[Ladymom]

Hi, We visited and just want to share our experience to save the 'pain' for future parents.
Because Queen Ethelburga's is really remote! A long drive 50 pounds! from Leeds airport!
We took the train from Paddington thinking the train link would bring us to near the school. But even the nearest train station (as advised by the school) is not near the school.
Best book a taxi in advance before arrival. Do not expect taxi queues like in Asia, there was no taxi in sight!
And for return, the school will book a taxi for you but at a premium price. There's this taxi company that serves this 'premium' school and therefore pay premium price.
Impression of school, staff are snooty - we entered the office and the staff chatting did not bother to ask what we there for. So we sniffed around and asked before we were asked to wait.
To us, it is a business as some said.

[SpotAGuillemot]

I went to Ethelburga's and loved it. Surely you'd find out where you're going before you set off though? It's pretty obvious it's in the middle of nowhere and small train stations don't tend to have taxi's waiting.

If your dd is horsey it's the best place in the world.

[LovingLola]

Were they expecting you? Had you an appointment with them to view the school?

[EssentialHummus]

Do not expect taxi queues like in Asia

Why would you, in the middle of the English countryside? I’m really sorry OP, I think this needs a bit more research on your part.

[SerialChangerOfName]

You can hire a car for less than £15 a day from Leeds Bradford Airport. It's probably a 40 minute drive.

Or you could get a taxi from York station. It's a 20 minute drive.

I think you need to plan your next school viewing a little better.

[MrsLandingham]

Oooh, goody, an Ethelburga's thread

[wonkylegs]

I've never had a problem getting taxis from York station. If you went to a more minor station then yes, it wouldn't be as easy.
Why would you go to Leeds from London. York is on the east coast mainline and the normal choice when coming to this part of Yorkshire with very frequent trains to London from Kings Cross.
Why wouldn't you look these things up before you go? It has a York postcode and is rural Yorkshire of course it's going to be more difficult to get to than central London. What a bizarre thread.

[NWgirls]

Salty, not sweet, please...

But it’s Sunday, so perhaps the sizable legal team will only react tomorrow? (Or do they have 24/7 shift coverage?)

Is the adjective deployed in the OP (sxxxxy) sufficiently slanderous to trigger the usual response? And will MNHQ stand as a firm and proud defender of the logistical realities of Yorkshire?

Find out in the next episode of «How to lose friends and alienate people», Education edition.

[happygardening]

Wonders out loud how long this thread will last before it's pulled my MNHQ.
I think you'll find SpotAGuillemot that the horses have gone, least that's what their website states.

[NWgirls]

This thread would not be a big loss, Happy, unlike some past ones which at least had some important substance and were worth preserving

[happygardening]

True. But it is a shame if any thread as innocuous as this is pulled after all people are entitled to their opinions.

[Ta1kinPeece]

Gotta love a QE thread
some day I'll have to go look at the place

[NWgirls]

Yes, Happy, and ridiculous - but that seems to go with this particular territory

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

As an aside is there really a school called queen ethelburga😂
what’s more you all seem to have heard of it?why..
And finally of course a school is a business. A for profit business at that

[MrsLandingham]

Yes, the gee gees have long gone. I think they built another boarding house on the yard.

NW, I can't see QE's crack legal team letting the original post stand unchallenged. It might be Monday before they notice it, though

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

Why would queens ethelburga have a legal team?whats the back story to this?

[NoNeedToArgue]

So did you stay for your visit then OP? What were your impressions of that?

[NoNeedToArgue]

I'm not sure you're saving any 'pain' for future visitors as presumably most people would find out where a place actually was before booking transport etc...

[LoniceraJaponica]

What is the big deal about Queen Ethelburga's threads?

[LipstickHandbagCoffee]

Yes,I need to know know. Crack legal team indeed

[MrsLandingham]

QE watch them carefully and threaten legal action if anyone makes negative comments. There are some heavily redacted historical ones, if you want to look them up. It's The School Which Must Not Be Named.

[LoniceraJaponica]

I just lifted this from their website

"Our local station - Cattal - is on the York to Harrogate / Leeds line, 15 minutes from York and Harrogate, 40 minutes from Leeds. Only 5 minutes drive from QE, we can pick you up and drop you off - just let us know in advance. We can also arrange transport direct to York Station on request."

It looks like the OP didn't plan her journey very well.

[SpotAGuillemot]

The horses are gone . I thought that was the main selling point of the school? Well, it certainly was to me 'sorry spot we're shipping you off. Don't worry tough, you'll get a horse'.

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

In answer to your title OP, write a bloody big cheque.

If you're struggling with a £50 taxi fare this isn't for you.

[MrsLandingham]

Cake Spot on.

[katiewatiepatie]

I want to know more about this school now