Elstree is not that bad - people are prone to a bit of exaggeration.
Sure it is cramped - but that is because of its good location for N London.
Because its busy it can be a bit hairy at times but that is down to pilots being t**ts at times.
I would describe it as the Popham of North London. Sloping runway, aircraft everywhere very busy, and occasionally someone the radio who gets exasperated by the aformentioned t**ts who make flying into both of the airfields harder than it need be.