Queen Ethelburga's College and the Surrounding Area
Originally founded in 1912, Queen Ethelburga's is a traditional English boarding school boasting contemporary interiors, modern facilities and extremely comfortable accommodation - which is described as the best quality in Europe. The College is situated in 100 acres of rural countryside and offers excellent music and recreational facilities including a sports hall, football pitches, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. The school is set on the Thorpe Underwood Hall Estate, the grounds of which include an enclosed, walled, 'secret' garden, a formal rose garden with a fountain and acres of informal lawns. A team of gardeners keeps the entire site in beautiful condition.
From the earliest days of Christianity in England there has been a building on the site, described in the Doomsday Book as Chirchbie, Usebrana and Useburn and in 1150 as Kirkby Juxta Useburn. In the late 13th century the Abbot and monks from Fountains Abbey chose Thorpe Underwood as a retreat for their 'solace, profit and pleasure.' The circular 'Stewpond', now beautifully restored, is still to be seen, so called because the monks used the fish it provided to have food always available. During the 19th century, Anne and Branwell Bronte lived and taught at the House for a time.
Following a disastrous fire in 1895, today's building designed in the Tudor style, was constructed by William Aneley of York. The architect, Walter H. Brierley, won an architectural award for his design work.
Residential apartments for delegates are of a very high standard and each offers en-suite facilities. They also include a separate kitchenette and dining area, flat screen TVs, DVD, Hi Fi, hairdryers, safe, trouser press, iron and ironing board, microwave, fridge, oven, kettle, toaster, ice machine and dishwasher. Singers can request an apartment on a single or twin basis. The accommodation is available on either the ground or first floor and throughout the site any first floor rooms can be accessed by lift.
Each accommodation area houses a number of fully equipped common rooms, central kitchens and laundry facilities. For our more active singers there is an indoor heated swimming pool, sports hall, sports pitches, tennis and basketball courts, table tennis, miniature golf, garden chess and lots of outdoor space. An internet café is also available.
Catering on site is of a very high standard and special dietary requirements can be met if requested in advance. The main dining hall, situated in The Undercroft, is a magnificent room, accessible by lift if required, overlooked by balconies with large sofas and further recreational facilities: an ideal area in which to linger over coffee after a meal.
The Phoenix Centre, where rehearsals will be held, offers a wide range of flexible performing spaces and practice rooms as well as a bar and catering area where singers can relax and unwind with a glass of wine at the end of the day.
Morning coffee/tea breaks will be taken in the Phoenix Centre and tea, coffee and milk will be provided in the central common rooms for singers to make their own drinks at other times of the day. Delegates may wish, of course, to make use of their own kitchen facilities too.
More information on Queen Ethelburga's College can be found at www.queenethelburgas.edu and Thorpe Underwood Estate, York, YO26 9SS. Directions can be downloaded from the school website if required and a map is available on the Singers' Information page of this website.
Harrogate and York
Harrogate is one of the North of England's most attractive towns. More information can be found at www.harrogate.gov.uk, (click on the "visitors" section on the top navigation bar).
There are few cities in Britain that have the magical beauty of York. Visitors can enjoy outstanding archaeology and a history that dates back nearly 2,000 years combined with bustling shopping streets and numerous award-winning attractions. The park and ride facility is just 10 miles from Queen Ethelburga's, enabling singers to visit York without the difficulties and expense of city parking. More information can be found at www.york.gov.uk and www.visityork.org.
More information about the wider Yorkshire area can be found by visiting www.yorkshire.com.
