English school trips to London

Night or day, a ride on the London Eye offers spectacular panoramic views of the capital from high above the River Thames. Look out for the city’s biggest landmarks with your students – the Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey will all be visible, alongside the city’s more modern skyscrapers.

Best known for its incredible and comprehensive dinosaur exhibition, the Natural History Museum is much-loved among students and teachers alike. Featuring as many as 70 million items across botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology and zoology, the museum really does have something for everyone, and is a must-see for students visiting the capital.

Discover the secrets that bring productions to life at the National Theatre, founded by stage icon Laurence Olivier in 1963. The theatre creates more than 20 new productions each year and is a must-visit for performing arts students. Choose between a backstage tour of some of the theatre’s best-loved plays, or explore the work in the cutting room through a costume tour.

Considered to be the true centre of London, Trafalgar Square holds a wealth of history and culture within its bounds. The square was opened to the public in 1844; since then, it’s served as the site of countless rallies and marches, the splendid National Gallery, as well the towering Nelson’s Column. Don’t miss the opportunity to study the square’s four plinths with your group – three might be occupied by notable individuals, but the fourth is occupied by an artistic placeholder.

A popular activity among our school groups, a trip to a West End show is such a treat for students, who we’ve seen revel in the experience of being in the midst of London’s “Theatreland”. Along with New York's Broadway, West End theatre is considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking world. 

Students will love the opportunity to ‘meet’ their favourite global celebrities while learning about other famous figures at this amazing waxworks, which has hosted millions of visitors since it first opened over 200 years ago. With figures of both British and pop culture royalty, school groups can examine the realistic figures while learning about their lives.

A unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of William Shakespeare's work, Shakespeare’s Globe is a must-visit for any English student. School groups can visit the Globe for either a full or half day, where they’ll enjoy a workshop, guided tour and exhibition admission.

The famous Tower of London has had many purposes since it was built 950 years ago. A fortress, royal palace, and a prison, the Tower has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and, since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. A must visit that any student group will enjoy.

N.B. The Tower of London accepts a minimum group size of 15.

A hub for entertainment in London’s West End, Leicester Square swells with restaurants, souvenir shops and first-rate cinemas, where regular film premieres take place. Alongside statues of Charlie Chaplin and William Shakespeare, student groups might get lucky and spot their favourite A-list Hollywood actors here – if the stars align.

Once widely viewed as London’s leading theatre, this West End theatre in Covent Garden is the oldest theatre site in London still in use, with a history dating back 400 years. On your visit, why not combine a behind-the-scenes tour with a live show, giving students the opportunity to apply educational context to the wow factor of a true West End performance.

Unravel 1,400 years of history on a journey to medieval times at this incredible cathedral, which is home to a fascinating and storied past. We’ve seen students amazed by the tales that make up St Paul’s, its unique architecture and its crypts, as they uncover the symbolic heart of the nation where kings were crowned, princes married and the great and good buried.

Fans of Harry Potter rejoice! Students will love the opportunity to explore the breathtaking sets from the hit film series at this studio tour, which has become one of London’s most popular tourist attractions. Groups can also get up close to the real props and costumes from the films. A great excursion we recommend for English and Film Studies students.

Discover where Charles Dickens lived, wrote and entertained at his Bloomsbury family home, which offers several educational options for KS3 or KS4 English Literature groups. Here, your group can combine a guided tour with a workshop of your choice, perfecting their 19th century prose as they study the Victorian author’s iconic works such as Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, and A Christmas Carol.