Although this – one of the world’s most famous – school is actually called public, what is really meant by it is that it is a private, fee-paying institution – the one for which you’ve got to put down the names of your children years in advance. Basic fees are over £15,000 per year, there are only 1,200 to 1,300 places, and it’s boys only.

If you just want a glimpse, that’s much easier (and substantially cheaper) to accomplish. You only have to schedule your visit so that it falls between April and September. The school was founded by King Henry VI in the years 1440 and 1441 for 70 boys of high potential/achievement, who received scholarships from a fund financed personally by the monarch himself. The model was that of the Winchester College public school. Up to date, the place has educated 18 future prime ministers, countless leaders of other countries, and there is surely more to come. Some of the best known names teach here. For example, the composer Thomas Frederick Dunhill was a music master there.

The vast buildings, chapel, museum, and playing fields can be visited, including with a 1-hour guide-led tour, for which you naturally pay a fee of several pounds. The tours start at 2:15pm and 3:15pm. If you would rather take a guidebook and wander around on your own, make a note of the opening times (although these are always subject to change and should be confirmed at least a couple of days before you make your trip).

- If you are visiting during term time, the opening hours are very restricted, from 2pm till 4:30 pm.
- If your trip takes place during the holidays, you can enter at 10:30am.

The fee for self-guided tour is a couple of pounds smaller than for the full guided tour.