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Want to try crown prince this year, after reading good things about the flavour, but I'm a bit worried about how big it will get. Is it a really massive plant? Can I grow it up a support rather than letting it sprawl? Will also be trying sprinter butternut.

Any advice gratefully received  :)

Quite a big plant, we haven't tried it up supports we just let it roam... good keeper
;D

Exceptional squash, you won't be sorry you grew CP :)
Yes, it is a big plant.
I wouldn't climb it to grow up (eek!) but last year's CP found an old bed frame and grew up it fine last year.

Some ideas to minimise squash 'footprint':

Grow upwards. If you like CP you could try Buttercup - even more delicious, but because they're smaller, a little less scary to walk under

Pinch off growing shoots to make a more bushy plant i.e. without the long leader

Train the long leader along paths, under bean poles - i.e. using 'vacant' or 'wasted' growing space among something tall so that the leaves shade the soil and keep it moist for all

Train in a circle with U-shaped ground pegs. You'll need to re-peg every 3 or 4 days, but it's well worth it. If you do this, put in a tall marker stick when you plant out the seedlings; if you want to water them in drought (I don't) you can see where to water. No kidding! 8)

Cheers both, I'm sorely tempted to try it but got such limited space - maybe I should 'train' it over the lawn.  :o ;D

Certainly... can't eat grass...
:-X

try uchiki kuri - a bit more compact and a gorgeous squash and a fine keeper