There is nothing frugal about the gothic mansion erected in 1798 for Lord Carrington in the lush woods of Bucking- hamshire. The majestic building is set among 65 hectares of sprawling land and is flanked by a silvery lake.
Inside, its inhabitants receive an education ranked as one of the best in Europe. Even the weekly fare that includes eggs Florentine, hoi sin chicken and lemon meringue pie is more of an exercise in indulgence than austerity.
The Wycombe Abbey School in Buckinghamshire is among the 700 schools offering boarding places in Britain where spartan traditions are out and luxury is in.
A concerted attempt is being made to banish to the history books tales of cold showers, draughty dormitories, Dickensian chores and lumpy food, which have long been synonymous with Britain's boarding schools.
Where, in the past, sleeping conditions were cramped, today there are en-suite facilities. Brutal morning runs in the freezing sleet and rain have been replaced by cosy sessions in front of a plasma television or Sony PlayStation.
For Queen Ethelburga's College in York, luxury runs to a sun-bed area, pool table, electric shoe shine and sauna. You can even bring your horse for free.
But it is not all jolly hockey sticks for the pupils. Classes being offered include philanthropy, 'citizenship' and social responsibility. Charitable causes are being championed. Trees are being planted.
