15. The King's School Canterbury
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Annual fees: £35,385
Number of students: 828
Type: Mixed
The King's School in Canterbury was founded in 597 A.D., and is thought to be the oldest continuously running school in the world. Parents are advised to register for enrollment two years in advance, with a registration fee of £200. Orlando Bloom is a former student.
14. Fettes College
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Annual fees: £32,340
Number of students: 565
Type: Mixed
Fettes College in Scotland might be the prettiest boarding school in the country. It counts former Prime Minister Tony Blair as a former pupil.
13. Gordonstoun
Location: Moray, Scotland
Annual fees: £35,922
Number of students: 604
Type: Mixed
Notoriously strict, Gordonstoun in Scotland is named after its 150-acre estate, which was originally owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 17th century. The school doesn't offer open days, with staff preferring to arrange private viewings for families throughout the year. The school was also attended by Prince Charles.
12. Marlborough College
Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire
Annual fees: £31,350
Number of students: 928
Type: Mixed
Marlborough won Tatler's Best Public School award in 2015, and was attended by the Duchess of Cambridge. Prospective students must complete two interviews with members of staff and a test organised by the school as part of their application.
11. Cheltenham Ladies' College
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Annual fees: £34,302
Number of students: 873
Type: All girls
This girls' school in Gloucestershire has a strong academic record and a focus on the arts. Competition for places at sixth form is "fierce," according to the school. The newly refurbished theatre and arts centre is used by the town for its jazz, literature, and science festivals.
10. Tonbridge School
Location: Tonbridge, Kent
Annual fees: £37,539
Number of students: 789
Type: All boys
Tonbridge School in Kent stands out for its handsome Victorian buildings and 150 acres of playing fields. There's a strong focus on academics, and the school achieved its best-ever GCSE results in 2014 with 94% of students achieving A* or A grades. Tonbridge's playing fields were recognised as an Olympic training venue in 2012.
9. Stowe School
Location: Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Annual fees: £33,000
Number of students: 769
Type: Mixed
Sir Richard Branson famously left Stowe School with no qualifications at the age of 16. Students take a common entrance exam as part of their application, and must apply three years in advance.
8. Benenden
Location: Cranbrook, Kent
Annual fees: £34,455
Number of students: 544
Type: All girls
Benenden is the only girls' all-boarding school in the UK, and counts Princess Anne as one of its former pupils. A four-year waiting list to attend makes this a tough place to get into. There are around three applications for every place available.
7. Charterhouse School
Location: Godalming, Surrey
Annual fees: £36,774
Number of students: 788
Type: Mixed
Founded by Thomas Sutton in 1611, Charterhouse School moved in 1872 from London to Godalming, where the new school was built in 200 acres of landscaped grounds. Famous alumni include TV presenter Jonathan Dimbleby, and health secretary Jeremy Hunt. Students apply three years in advance, with parents paying a £250 registration fee.
6. Ampleforth Abbey and College
Location: Ampleforth, Yorkshire
Annual fees: £32,733
Number of students: 607
Type: Mixed
Ampleforth College is the only Catholic full-boarding school in the UK. More than 70% of the student body is made up of practicing Catholics, but the school welcomes all religions. The school advises on its website that "children who come from Christian families are most likely to benefit from an Ampleforth education."
5. The City of London School
Location: London
Annual fees: £14,886
Number of students: 920
Type: All boys
The City of London School is right in the heart of the capital on the river Thames. It doesn't offer boarding, but has a strong academic reputation, with around 10 applicants for every place in year six, according to Tatler. Daniel Radcliffe studied here while starring in the Harry Potter films, and there is also a sister-school for girls.
4. Winchester School
Location: Winchester
Annual fees: £36,678
Number of students: 690
Type: All boys
Winchester is a boys-only boarding school in Hampshire. 35% of graduating pupils won places at Oxford and Cambridge last year, with 10 enrolling at Ivy League universities.
3. Westminster School
Location: London
Annual fees: £36,462
Number of students: 741
Type: Mixed
Westminster School sits right next to Parliament and Westminster Cathedral. Weekly assemblies are held in "Westminster Latin" — a dialect that's unique to the school. Prospective students hoping to enrol in year nine take a"pre-test" in year six, and should register three years in advance.
2. Harrow School
Location: London
Annual fees: £37,350
Number of students: 825
Type: All boys
London's Harrow School was founded in 1572, but there's some evidence that boys were taught on the site as early as 1243, according to Christopher Tyerman's book, "A History of Harrow School 1324 - 1991." The institution is famous for its strong academic record, fierce rivalry with Eton College, and boater hats.
1. Eton College
Location: Windsor, Berkshire
Annual fees: £37,602
Number of students: 1,300
Type: All boys
A favourite of the royal family, Eton College is the UK's best-known private school. Both Princes Harry and William are former pupils, as well as David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Eddie Redmayne. It's notoriously competitive, with around 23% of applicants earning a place.