Well, if I was giving advice to someone about Elstree, I would say to go and learn to fly there. You will learn so much there because its so busy and you wouldn't be worried about visiting other airfields. Alright one of the ATC men are really rude, (i saw at first hand the other day, when i was booking my dual check) I popped in to the tower and if you think he is rude on the air then you should hear him off it. He even ordered someone to see him in the tower, by saying "all instructions on the ground are mandatory" - Dont mean to put you off there flyby guy.
Choose Cabair to fly with, - im not biased or anything, i just think they helped me really well and there is always an aircraft to fly.