School trips to London
A school trip to London is highly recommended to allow your students the chance to explore a cultural hub that is one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities on the planet.
The city’s heritage means there’s nearly always something to learn around every corner, particularly if your focus is on literature, theatre, history, architecture, business, religious studies or general sightseeing. Samuel Johnson famously remarked that “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life” – and we can see just what he was getting at.
Our school trips to London highlights include...
London school trips are a great way for your students to explore the world-famous city's attractions:
- lastminute.com London Eye
- Natural History Museum
- The Tower of London
- Imperial War Museum
- The West End
- The London Dungeon
- London Zoo
- The British Museum
- National Maritime Museum
- Thames River Cruise
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Buckingham Palace
- The Globe Theatre
- The Tate Modern London
- The Science Museum
- Olympic Park
Why book a London school trip?
School trips to London offer young people a valuable new perspective outside of the classroom and a chance to experience the sights, sounds, hustle and bustle of a major global city. The capital also boasts a regular events programme that no other city can match, at least certainly not in the UK.
There are so many must-see locations for students in London, that provide tons of educational value. London offers a wide and diverse range of educational visits that will enlighten and expand the imagination of students and pupils across all age groups.
Whether it’s an educational tour of London for students or a fun-filled primary school trip, London has it all. Take a look at some of our most popular London school trips - perfect for primary, high school, or college students. Alternatively, please get in touch for more information or advice, we’re always happy to help.
Browse our curriculum-linked school trips in London
Such is the diversity of London’s offerings, there are venues, sites and attractions that can benefit students who study just about any subject! From Maths to Music, Media studies to Science, you can plan a London school trip that suits the learning objectives of any subject matter.
Check out our range of curriculum-linked school trips in London below.
Art & Design
Art & Design
Home to some of the world’s largest permanent collections and with a wide range of art on show, a school trip to London is guaranteed to incite a response from pupils and enrich and inspire their work.
In this exciting city, pupils will get to take in the latest thought-provoking collections, museums, galleries and innovative talent, whilst developing an understanding of British heritage and culture. Add to that the huge array of tourist attractions on offer and you’ll be guaranteed a trip to remember.
Business Studies
Business Studies
Experience one of the world’s largest financial centres on a school trip to London.
The city is home to over half of the UK’s top 100 listed companies and offers fascinating visit opportunities for business studies groups. We’ll book educational visits that enhance your pupils’ learning, as well as group friendly accommodation, your leisure activities and even your meals – all at our great school group prices.
Computer Science
Computer Science
A computing and computer science school trip to London offers pupils the opportunity to explore a range of computing and computer science themes at a number of intriguing visits and hands on workshops, whilst also enjoying a big city experience.
Choose from an app making workshop to a tech city guided walking tour where students can take a first-hand look at the businesses – such as ASOS, Spotify and Zoopla!
Cultural
Cultural
For a school trip that will inspire and engage your pupils you need look no further than our very own capital city London!
We can create a London school tour itinerary to suit your tour objectives, the range of visits make it perfect for enrichment week, a cultural tour or a group bonding and reward trip. As well as being great fun, the visits offer pupils the opportunity to Experience big city life, widen their horizons, Learn new skills and develop resilience, independence and confidence.
Learn more about our cultural trips to London here
Design & Technology
Design & Technology
Explore a range of world-class museums, including the Design Museum, the V&A Museum and the Museum of Brands to name just a few. Get a taste for designing and making, electronics, robotics, materials, engineering and computing during our range of educational experiences.
Learn more about our design & technology school trips to London here
Drama & Performing Arts
Drama & Performing Arts
From the magic of a West End show to interactive dance or theatre workshops or debating at the Royal Courts of Justice, a school theatre trip to London is guaranteed to inspire your pupils!
Whether your group is interested in performing arts, drama, English or literature, you’ll find it all on an English school tour to London! Plus, we work closely with theatres and agencies in the capital to give you access to great group prices, fantastic theatre seats and great availability on the most popular West End shows so you can be sure to get great value for your school theatre trip. That’s why around 600 school groups choose to travel to London with us each and every year.
Learn more about our drama & performing arts trips to London here
Geography, Geology & Environmental Science
Geography, Geology & Environmental Science
Packed full of enthralling visits and attractions, a geography school trip to London provides a massive range of geography visits that will excite, inform and educate your group.
We’ve teamed up with London’s famous Blue Badge Guides to offer a unique geography tour on which your pupils will see for themselves the transformation that the east of London underwent as part of a vast urban regeneration programme.
History
History
With the curriculum changes placing greater emphasis on the history of Britain and its place in global history, London provides an ideal location for a history school trip.
Covering a large range of themes, the huge numbers of educational visits, museums, galleries and collections have tailor-made programmes required to suit the new curriculum. With our relationships with so many of these education departments, we can help you to maximise the educational benefit of your London visit.
Secondary school trip groups to London can greatly benefit from the educational tours that London provides. And is perfect for all ages.
Literature
Literature
For an English school trip that focuses on works of literature and how they can be adapted for stage and screen, you won't be disappointed with NST's London literature study tour.
Learn more about our literature trips to London here
Maths
Maths
Investigate the mathematics that makes the capital city of London work! From the Wembley Stadium arch, to the Bank of England, your pupils will be surrounded by maths during a visit to London.
Have fun calculating the height of key landmarks, such as Nelson’s Column, or take the opportunity to consider the mathematical challenges engineers faced whilst building the iconic London Eye.
Media & Film Studies
Media & Film Studies
If you’re looking to take your media & film studies group to a great budget destination that comes packed with educational benefits, choose London.
Our strong links with renowned organisations – plus expert service and advice from your dedicated Educational Travel Advisor – will make bridging the gap between the classroom and the day-to-day reality of this dynamic industry easier for you.
School trips in London allow media students to experience the fast-moving world of production and the creative industries.
Music
Music
The wide number and variety of performance venues available in London make it an ideal music tour destination for a groups of all ages and abilities.
These outstanding venues, along with the great range of amazing West End theatre shows, workshops, backstage tours and leisure visits, mean NST can provide a great value itinerary that engages, wows and inspires.
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre
London is a fantastic destination full of opportunities to expose your group to music. So, even if you’re not planning a performance music tour, why not take your pupils to the capital for a few days on a school trip in London, which is filled with West End musicals and vocal workshops - they could even try their hand at Samba drumming!
Primary groups
Primary groups
An exciting London primary school trip enables pupils to cover many aspects of their curriculum in a short space of time. We can create a school tour itinerary package around any theme of your choice, from the Tudors and Victorians to Science and Nature.
Primary school trips to London allow younger pupils to experience the great capital of England. Inspire them with the rich history of the city and show them the future plans to bolster London as an economic superpower.
Learn more about our trips to London for primary schools here
Psychology & Sociology
Psychology & Sociology
A psychology trip to London offers immense value to psychology and sociology pupils, and is an ideal way to boost grades.
We can tailor an itinerary to suit your group’s exact requirements, from our exclusive mental health visits to a Jack the Ripper walking tour, you can cover a wide range of study topics to cover GCSE and A level curriculum themes in and around central London.
Religious Studies
Religious Studies
A religious studies visit to London offers immense value to your pupils. Our itineraries can be tailored to groups’ requirements allowing pupils to see diversity of worship and investigate differing impacts of religious beliefs.
Explore topics (including the Holocaust) further, via a choice of focused study venues, all easily accessible from Central London.
Science
Science
This exciting destination offers pupils the opportunity to explore a range of science themes at a number of intriguing visits and hands-on workshops, whilst also enjoying a big city experience.
We’ll tailor-make your science school trip to London to suit your group’s specific learning requirements to include the best visits and attractions at great value for money learning outcomes.
Sustainability
London plays host to a number of sustainability based visits which highlight the importance of protecting and preserving our environment, whilst also having links to the geography curriculum.
Experience the excitement of London with our 90 second video
London trip highlights – our groups love...
The city of London provides a chance for you to combine sightseeing with historical sites that offer rich educational benefits. Here’s what to expect from our London trip highlights.
Lastminute.com London Eye / Formerly the Coca-Cola London Eye
Arguably the UK’s most famous landmark, the London Eye offers stunning aerial views of the city’s vast landscape. Sat on the banks of the River Thames, you’ll be able to see London’s symbolic landmarks, with views that span up to 30 miles on a clear day. On a school trip in London, you can catch a glimpse of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and The Shard and admire the dazzling sunset, or opt for an evening visit and experience views of the twinkling capital from up on high.
Natural History Museum
Your history students will simply love the offerings provided at the famous Natural History Museum. Embark on a journey through our extraordinary planet’s 4.6 billion-year history. Explore the world of the dinosaurs, travel through time and discover the evolution of the planet or be amazed by the earthquake simulator in the museum’s Red Zone. Quite simply, your students will take so much from their visit, and engagement in your history lessons will be transformed!
The Tower of London
Help to develop pupils’ understanding of the nature of authority and attitudes to crime and punishment in the early modern period on a Tower of London school trip. This is an ideal opportunity for a more in-depth study of Guy Fawkes and his attempt to destroy the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum is a venue that is a synonymous venue that symbolises the history of war conflict. Your students will discover the surreal experiences of those who lived through the First World War, right up to the modern day, with a look at the continuing influence of war on our world.
The West End
If arts and culture are at the centre of your London school trip, then a visit to the iconic West End is simply a must! This educational trip allows students to take in a show at one of the dazzling theatres, or why not explore a workshop that helps your students pull back the curtain on the creative genius of West End professionals?
Browse our range of school theatre trips to London.
Thames River Cruise
Explore the Thames with a river cruise that takes in all the wonderful venues that line the river bank. Get up close and personal with Westminster Abbey and cruise past the London Eye. With a range of different river cruises available, unwind and relax as your tour guide educated your students on the historical significance of the river.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Inject a little magic into your London school trip with a visit to the Warner Bros Studios. Discover the wizarding world of Harry Potter, with an in-depth look at the artistic creativity that helped make the Harry Potter franchise a global phenomenon. With dedicated sections to the visual effects, props, sets, and costumes amongst much more, art and media students will simply love their time here.
British Museum
Embark on an exhilarating journey exploring culture and history with a London school trip to the iconic British Museum. This symbolic attraction is home to an estimated eight million pieces, spanning thousands of years of global history. It helps students to build a deeper understanding of significant periods that have helped shape culture and history. Students will love the immersive and interactive learning experiences on offer as you navigate your way through the different exhibitions.
They’ll learn about the wonders of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, amongst much more! The Museum caters for school group visits, so you can tailor your visit to extract the most educational value suited to your learning objectives. A school trip to the British Museum provides inspiration, learning enrichment and broadens the perspectives of any student lucky enough to explore this majestic venue. It will enhance your students’ appetite for learning and redefine both their and your approach to classroom-based learning!
London Zoo
Embrace the allure of the natural world with a magical school trip to London Zoo. Situated in the heart of Regent’s Park, this conservation zoo allows students to engage with diverse habitats and awe-inspiring animals that amaze and captivate in equal measure.
Standout attractions include the Students can transport themselves deep into the South American archipelagos and discover the surreal experience of the giant Galápagos tortoises. Marvel at the three species of mischievous monkeys who frolic and swing between the trees, or take a deep sea dive into oceanic life and discover more about the wonders of the ocean.
National Maritime Museum
Located in Greenwich, the vividity of the National Maritime Museum will capture the attention of students across a diverse range of subjects. The centrepiece of this exceptional piece of architecture is The Great Map, where you can make your way through the hallowed halls of this stunning attraction.
Explore celestial navigation to observe the grandeur of the stars and outer galaxies, indulge in classic pieces of art from yesteryear and solve the mystery behind Nelson’s ship HMS Victory located inside a giant glass bottle. With dedicated school group visits too, you can make the most of the many inspiring workshops and learning programmes on offer to make your visit an unforgettable one for all.
The London Dungeon
Combine history and horror with a nerve-shredding visit to the infamous London Dungeon. Delve deep into the dark with a journey through this spine-tingling exhibition that will leave your students both chilled and captivated by what they uncover.
With each echoing footstep, the Dungeon unveils its series of theatrical sets that offer a terrifying reconstruction of the city’s past.
You’ll be confronted by actors who recount the horrors of Jack the Ripper in the Whitechapel Labyrinth exhibition, discover the infamy surrounding Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot and step back in time to witness the inferno of the Great Fire of London. A school trip to London Dungeon brings out the depths of the city’s darkest secrets, combing entertainment and education in a way few places can replicate.
Highlights of London Blue Badge guided coach tour
Highlights of London Blue Badge guided coach tour
See the major sights of the city.
West End shows and workshops
West End shows and workshops
Be wowed at the theatre then take a show-related workshop.
Coca-Cola London Eye
Coca-Cola London Eye
Spot famed landmarks and take in the 30-mile panoramic view.
Thames River Cruise
Thames River Cruise
Learn about the many layers of history that have built up along the river.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
The Making of Harry Potter - Go behind-the-scenes.
Science Museum
Science Museum
Awe-inspiring galleries, interactive resources and inspirational exhibitions.
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
Discover the amazing diversity of life that has evolved on our planet on a school trip to Natural History Museum.
Art galleries
Art galleries
Appreciate works of art, both old and new, at the fantastic galleries on offer in the city.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London
Help to develop pupils’ understanding on the nature of authority and attitudes to crime and punishment in the early modern period on a Tower of London school trip. An ideal opportunity for a more in-depth study of Guy Fawkes and his attempt to destroy the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum
Discover groundbreaking new WWI galleries and more!
London school trip experts
Hundreds of groups travel with NST to London every year, and members of our team regularly visit to London to really get to know the ins-and-outs of the area, from logistics and visits to our range of student-friendly accommodation. Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their knowledge of London to create an itinerary that’s tailor-made, perfectly timed and meets your exact school travel needs. They’ll be able to share their first-hand experience, suggest options you might not have considered and give you insight into the feedback other teachers have given us too.
Planning your first school trip?
If you're planning your first school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process...
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Additional support, resources & information
Tour planning service
Tour planning service
With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you:
- Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly
- Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings
- Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals
You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.
FREE school trip promotion pack
FREE school trip promotion pack
We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of:
- Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete A3 posters to promote your trip around school
- PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs
- Parents’ leaflets covering how NST manage safety, financial protection and details of our travel insurance
- Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip
For selected destinations, we’ll provide a trip launch web page using video footage and imagery. This web page is provided by a weblink and can be shared with pupils and parents in many ways.
Risk assessment support including preview visits
Risk assessment support including preview visits
Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.
Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip.
Planning first school trip
Planning first school trip
Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process.
If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way.
Our helpful guide covers the following:
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track.
With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.
Watch our short Locate My Trip video here.
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - designed to help busy teachers like you.
With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too.
What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go.
Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here.
FREE classroom resources
FREE classroom resources
We've created a range of free resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!
Take a look at our downloadable posters here.
Why choose NST...
Here's why thousands of teachers choose NST each year...
-
Unrivalled knowledge
Your dedicated tour co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise of London to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
With our online school trip organiser, travel app, FREE classroom posters and trip launch resources to support in-school promotion.
- Risk assessment guidance
Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip.
- FREE group leader inspection visits
We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning.
- Value for money
We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.
- Peace of mind
Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.
- More than 50 years’ experience
With over 50 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
For every trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions.
Looking for protection on your next school trip?
Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.
Don’t forget – if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial.
Financial protection from the moment you book
NST are fully bonded:
- ABTA
- ATOL
- IATA
Managing safety on school trips
For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:
- 24-hour emergency cover
- Audited accommodation & transport
- Excursions & school visit assessment
- Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning
We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured
The Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.
