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Find your perfect country prep school
It's open-day season! Whether you're contemplating a move for your entire family or want to explore the education options within a daily minibus-ride of the capital, we can help.

Where to begin when looking for a country prep?

After almost two years of disrupted schooling, home learning and virtual school visits, real-life, in-person open days are finally back on the agenda. If you're thinking about making the move to a country prep school, there are many factors to take into consideration – but we have all the answers. Find out how to make open days really count, visit our ultimate guide to school open-days all over the UK, and then use our search tools to find the perfect country prep school for your child.


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Alphabetical
Distance from London
Offers boarding
Offers school bus from London




Abberley Hall School
Worcester
Ackworth School Coram House
Pontefract
Amesbury
Hindhead
Aysgarth School
Bedale
Badminton Junior School
Westbury-on-Trym
Barfield Prep School
Farnham
Beaudesert Park School
Stroud
Bede's Prep School
Eastbourne
Beech Hall Prep School
Macclesfield
Bilton Grange
Rugby
Brambletye School
East Grinstead
Brighton College Pre-Prep & Prep School
Brighton
Bruern Abbey Prep
Bicester
Bryanston Prep
Blandford Forum
Caldicott School
Farnham Royal
Caterham Prep School
Caterham
Cheam School
Newbury
Cheltenham Prep School
Cheltenham
Claremont Prep School
St. Leonards-on-Sea
Clayesmore Preparatory School
Blandford Forum
Clifton College Preparatory School
Clifton
Cothill House
Cothill
Cranleigh Preparatory School
Cranleigh
Crown House Preparatory School
High Wycombe
Cumnor House Sussex
Haywards Heath
Danes Hill School
Leatherhead
Dean Close Preparatory School
Cheltenham
Dragon School
Oxford
Dulwich Prep Cranbrook
Cranbrook
Eagle House School
Sandhurst
Edgeborough
Farnham
Elstree School
Reading
Embley Prep School
Romsey
Eton End School
Datchet
Fettes College Prep School
Edinburgh
Framlingham College Prep School
Woodbridge
Frensham Heights Junior School
Farnham
Giggleswick Junior School
Settle
Godolphin Prep
Salisbury
Godstowe School
High Wycombe
Gordonstoun Junior School
Elgin
Great Ballard Prep
Chichester
Griffin House Preparatory School
Aylesbury
Hatherop Castle
Cirencester
Hazlegrove Preparatory School
Yeovil
Highfield and Brookham
Liphook
Highfield Prep School - Maidenhead
Maidenhead
Hilden Grange Preparatory School
Tonbridge
Holme Grange School Prep
Wokingham
Holmewood House School
Tunbridge Wells
Hurst Preparatory School
Hassocks
Junior King's, Canterbury
Canterbury
King's Hawford
Worcester
King's St Alban's
Worcester
Lambrook School
Nr Ascot
Langley Prep School at Taverham
Norwich
Longacre School
Guildford
Malvern St James Girls' School - Prep
Great Malvern
Marlborough House School
Hawkhurst
Moreton Hall Prep
Oswestry
Moulsford Prep School
Wallingford
Mowden Hall School
Stocksfield
Old Buckenham Hall
Ipswich
Orwell Park School
Ipswich
Papplewick School
Ascot
Pennthorpe
Rudgwick
Pinewood School
Shrivenham
Port Regis School
Shaftesbury
Queen Mary's Prep School
Thirsk
Repton Prep
Derby
Rose Hill School
Tunbridge Wells
Saint Ronan's
Hawkhurst
Sandroyd School
Salisbury
Somerhill
Tonbridge
St Andrew's Prep Eastbourne
Eastbourne
St Faith's
Cambridge
St Hugh's School
Faringdon
St Peter's York 8-13
York
St Swithun's Prep School
Winchester
Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall
Clitheroe
Summer Fields
Oxford
Sunningdale School
Sunningdale
Taunton Prep School
Taunton
The Croft Preparatory School
Stratford-upon-Avon
The Downs Malvern
Malvern
The Elms
Malvern
The Marist School - Prep Phase
Ascot
The New Beacon
Sevenoaks
The Prep at Denstone College
Uttoxeter
Thornton College Prep
Milton Keynes
Walhampton School
Lymington
Wells Cathedral Prep School
Wells
Westbourne House School
Chichester
Windlesham House
Pulborough
Witham Hall Preparatory School
Stamford


Caterham Prep School
Caterham
The New Beacon
Sevenoaks
Danes Hill School
Leatherhead
Hilden Grange Preparatory School
Tonbridge
Somerhill
Tonbridge
Eton End School
Datchet
Brambletye School
East Grinstead
Rose Hill School
Tunbridge Wells
Holmewood House School
Tunbridge Wells
Caldicott School
Farnham Royal
Sunningdale School
Sunningdale
The Marist School - Prep Phase
Ascot
Papplewick School
Ascot
Cumnor House Sussex
Haywards Heath
Longacre School
Guildford
Lambrook School
Nr Ascot
Cranleigh Preparatory School
Cranleigh
Highfield Prep School - Maidenhead
Maidenhead
Crown House Preparatory School
High Wycombe
Pennthorpe
Rudgwick
Godstowe School
High Wycombe
Holme Grange School Prep
Wokingham
Eagle House School
Sandhurst
Dulwich Prep Cranbrook
Cranbrook
Marlborough House School
Hawkhurst
Barfield Prep School
Farnham
Hurst Preparatory School
Hassocks
Saint Ronan's
Hawkhurst
Griffin House Preparatory School
Aylesbury
Edgeborough
Farnham
Frensham Heights Junior School
Farnham
Amesbury
Hindhead
Highfield and Brookham
Liphook
Windlesham House
Pulborough
Brighton College Pre-Prep & Prep School
Brighton
Claremont Prep School
St. Leonards-on-Sea
St Faith's
Cambridge
Moulsford Prep School
Wallingford
Junior King's, Canterbury
Canterbury
Great Ballard Prep
Chichester
Elstree School
Reading
St Andrew's Prep Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Bede's Prep School
Eastbourne
Thornton College Prep
Milton Keynes
Westbourne House School
Chichester
Cheam School
Newbury
Dragon School
Oxford
Summer Fields
Oxford
Bruern Abbey Prep
Bicester
Old Buckenham Hall
Ipswich
Cothill House
Cothill
St Swithun's Prep School
Winchester
Orwell Park School
Ipswich
St Hugh's School
Faringdon
Pinewood School
Shrivenham
Framlingham College Prep School
Woodbridge
Embley Prep School
Romsey
Hatherop Castle
Cirencester
Bilton Grange
Rugby
Godolphin Prep
Salisbury
Walhampton School
Lymington
The Croft Preparatory School
Stratford-upon-Avon
Witham Hall Preparatory School
Stamford
Cheltenham Prep School
Cheltenham
Dean Close Preparatory School
Cheltenham
Beaudesert Park School
Stroud
Sandroyd School
Salisbury
Langley Prep School at Taverham
Norwich
Port Regis School
Shaftesbury
Clayesmore Preparatory School
Blandford Forum
Bryanston Prep
Blandford Forum
King's St Alban's
Worcester
Malvern St James Girls' School - Prep
Great Malvern
King's Hawford
Worcester
The Elms
Malvern
The Downs Malvern
Malvern
Badminton Junior School
Westbury-on-Trym
Clifton College Preparatory School
Clifton
Repton Prep
Derby
Hazlegrove Preparatory School
Yeovil
Wells Cathedral Prep School
Wells
Abberley Hall School
Worcester
The Prep at Denstone College
Uttoxeter
Taunton Prep School
Taunton
Beech Hall Prep School
Macclesfield
Ackworth School Coram House
Pontefract
Moreton Hall Prep
Oswestry
St Peter's York 8-13
York
Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall
Clitheroe
Queen Mary's Prep School
Thirsk
Giggleswick Junior School
Settle
Aysgarth School
Bedale
Mowden Hall School
Stocksfield
Fettes College Prep School
Edinburgh
Gordonstoun Junior School
Elgin


Abberley Hall School
Worcester
Amesbury
Hindhead
Aysgarth School
Bedale
Badminton Junior School
Westbury-on-Trym
Beaudesert Park School
Stroud
Bede's Prep School
Eastbourne
Bilton Grange
Rugby
Brambletye School
East Grinstead
Bruern Abbey Prep
Bicester
Bryanston Prep
Blandford Forum
Caldicott School
Farnham Royal
Cheam School
Newbury
Cheltenham Prep School
Cheltenham
Claremont Prep School
St. Leonards-on-Sea
Clayesmore Preparatory School
Blandford Forum
Clifton College Preparatory School
Clifton
Cothill House
Cothill
Cumnor House Sussex
Haywards Heath
Dragon School
Oxford
Dulwich Prep Cranbrook
Cranbrook
Eagle House School
Sandhurst
Edgeborough
Farnham
Elstree School
Reading
Fettes College Prep School
Edinburgh
Framlingham College Prep School
Woodbridge
Giggleswick Junior School
Settle
Godolphin Prep
Salisbury
Godstowe School
High Wycombe
Gordonstoun Junior School
Elgin
Hatherop Castle
Cirencester
Hazlegrove Preparatory School
Yeovil
Highfield and Brookham
Liphook
Holmewood House School
Tunbridge Wells
Junior King's, Canterbury
Canterbury
Lambrook School
Nr Ascot
Malvern St James Girls' School - Prep
Great Malvern
Marlborough House School
Hawkhurst
Moulsford Prep School
Wallingford
Mowden Hall School
Stocksfield
Old Buckenham Hall
Ipswich
Orwell Park School
Ipswich
Papplewick School
Ascot
Pinewood School
Shrivenham
Port Regis School
Shaftesbury
Repton Prep
Derby
Saint Ronan's
Hawkhurst
Sandroyd School
Salisbury
St Andrew's Prep Eastbourne
Eastbourne
St Hugh's School
Faringdon
St Peter's York 8-13
York
Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall
Clitheroe
Summer Fields
Oxford
Sunningdale School
Sunningdale
Taunton Prep School
Taunton
The Downs Malvern
Malvern
The Elms
Malvern
Walhampton School
Lymington
Wells Cathedral Prep School
Wells
Westbourne House School
Chichester
Windlesham House
Pulborough
Witham Hall Preparatory School
Stamford


Badminton Junior School
Westbury-on-Trym
Bruern Abbey Prep
Bicester
Caldicott School
Farnham Royal
Cheam School
Newbury
Cothill House
Cothill
Cranleigh Preparatory School
Cranleigh
Dragon School
Oxford
Eagle House School
Sandhurst
Elstree School
Reading
Framlingham College Prep School
Woodbridge
Lambrook School
Nr Ascot
Moreton Hall Prep
Oswestry
Old Buckenham Hall
Ipswich
Papplewick School
Ascot
Port Regis School
Shaftesbury
Sunningdale School
Sunningdale
The Elms
Malvern
Thornton College Prep
Milton Keynes
Wells Cathedral Prep School
Wells
Windlesham House
Pulborough


The importance of countryside schooling
Whilst many children are brought up and used to urban living and schooling in the city, some parents envisage their child bouncing off to a school located slap-bang in the heart of the countryside – and it’s not hard to see why. Open spaces, stretches of green landscape, an abundance of trees for climbing, fields for running off the stresses of the day, wildflowers, unpolluted air, and pitch-black night skies away from the bright lights of any nearby city… the list goes on. 

We've rounded up some of the unique selling points of a country prep school:

Connection with nature
One of the most significant benefits of country prep schools is the opportunity for students to connect with nature. Many of these schools are located on large, picturesque campuses, surrounded by acres of natural beauty. This environment provides a peaceful and tranquil setting that allows students to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and focus on their studies. In addition, being surrounded by nature has numerous benefits for mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety. Studies have also shown that spending time in nature can improve academic performance, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Focus on outdoor activities
Country prep schools often place a strong emphasis on outdoor activities, such as horse riding, DofE, and, in some schools, even water sports such as sailing and fishing! These activities not only provide a fun and engaging way for students to stay active, but they also teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. These activities also allow students to explore and appreciate the natural world and help encourage a sense of environmental responsibility.

Small class sizes
Another key benefit of countryside prep schools is their small class sizes. Because these schools are typically smaller than their urban equivalents, class sizes tend to be smaller as well. This means that students receive more individual attention from teachers, allowing them to receive personalised instruction and support. Additionally, smaller class sizes make room for closer bonds among classmates which can in turn provide a supportive environment that encourages academic and personal growth.

Preparation for life in the real world
Whilst we believe most schools work hard to prepare their students for life beyond the classroom, country prep schools provide a unique educational experience that in some ways can further prepare pupils for what’s next. Because these schools are in rural areas, students are exposed to a different way of life than they may be used to. This exposure can broaden their horizons and help them develop a greater appreciation for their surroundings, peers and staff members.

Feeling more clued up on the ins and outs of countryside schooling? Time to get stuck in and start exploring, comparing and applying to some of your personal favourites. Get in touch with our team of educational experts for extra information or explore our unbiased and unique reviews for yourself.