London Cultural School Trips & Tours

Step on to authentic sets, discover the magic behind spellbinding special effects and explore the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter film series. Tread the original stone floor of the iconic Hogwarts Great Hall, encounter animatronic creatures and wander down Diagon Alley. Your Harry Potter World school trip is located at the Studios where all 8 films were produced.

45 minute workshops are also available, covering Art and Design, Business Studies, English and Drama, Film and Media and STEM subjects, as well as Primary.

Wicked tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz. The spectacular production and incredible story inspires discussion about propaganda, tolerance, bullying and friendship. 

On show at: The Apollo Victoria Theatre 
Times: Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 7.30pm, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.30pm 
Running time: 2hrs 45mins 
School prices available: Tuesday - Thursday evenings, Wednesday matinees.

Educational packs and workshops available. For more information on the show's educational programme, for more information please contact us.

Brand New for 2024 from the much loved Netflix TV series.

BEFORE THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN…
Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
Brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, who take theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension, this gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.

Show at: Phoenix Theatre
Times: Tuesday - Saturday 7pm, Friday & Saturday Matinees 1pm & Sunday 3pm
Running time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval
Age Recommendation: 12 and over.
School prices available: Tuesday - Thursday evening and Friday matinee

HADESTOWN takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.

Show at  Lyric Theatre 
Times  Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm Sunday 3pm Matinee Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm
Running time  2hrs 25 mins
School prices available  Tuesday – Thursday evenings and matinee Thursday and Saturday

A landmark new adaption of Studio Ghibli's classic coming-of-age film, My Neighbour Totoro explores the magical world of childhood and the power of imagination. The story follows an extraordinary summer in the lives of two sisters as they are transported to a long-forgotten realm of sprite, spirits and natural wonder. A must-see for anime fans!

On show at: Barbican Theatre
Times: 21st November 2023 - 23rd March 2024. Evening performances Monday - Saturday at 7pm. Matinee performances Thursday & Saturday at 2pm.
Running time: To be confirmed.
 

The world’s largest collection of decorative and applied arts. Some areas focus on the history of costume and are of particular interest to pupils studying textiles. The holdings of ceramics, glass, costumes, jewellery, furniture, sculpture, prints and photographs are among the largest and most comprehensive in the world.

Help to develop pupils’ understanding on the nature of authority and attitudes to crime and punishment in the early modern period on their school trip to Tower of London. An ideal opportunity for a more in-depth study of Guy Fawkes and his  attempt to destroy the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

After a major redevelopment, the museum features groundbreaking WWI Galleries which will present the story - how it started, why it continued and its global impact - through the lives of those who experienced it on both the front line and the home front. The Witness to War atrium displays iconic larger objects including a Harrier, Spitfire and V2 rocket suspended from above.

At St Paul’s Cathedral, students can study an iconic Christian place of worship and learn about the beliefs and practices of the Church of England through a number of themed tours suitable for KS3-KS5, including: The World of Worship, The Bible: Is it Relevant in Today’s World?, The Big Issues, ‘Jesus’ Fact or Fiction for Today’s Society and Christianity Through Art & Design. General guided tours suitable for different age groups can also be provided.

Take a Harry Potter Walking Tour into the magical world of wizardry in London! Learn about London’s rich muggle and wizarding history, amazing facts about the books and films and see many of the Harry Potter film locations used in London, including the Ministry of Magic and the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. The tour features familiar Harry Potter film locations as well as iconic London landmarks and attractions including St Paul’s Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, Borough and Leadenhall Markets and Monument.

This guided London film locations walking tour is action-packed with sites from Comic Book movies. You will follow on screen heroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Jack Ryan and the Thunderbirds as they fight to protect London and defeat the forces of evil.  You’ll see how London has been used by movie makers from all over the world to represent both the British capital – home to on screen heroes such as James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, but can also stand in for numerous other locations from across the globe including St Petersburg, Switzerland and even Gotham City!

A specialised workshop at the Creative Media Skills Institute is a great way to introduce your group to a number of techniques and applications used in the media industry.

Choose from: Costume Breakdown, Drafting, FX Makeup, Prosthetics Makeup, Period Hair Styling, Intro into Film Directing, Intro into Set Dressing and Props Making.

Based in the heart of Pinewood Studios and surrounded by its original three stages, CMSI bring existing and working film crew directly off the set to lead their courses. After coming through studio security students will walk down Goldfinger Avenue and past the iconic 007 stage to reach the state of the art CMSI studio. Students will be introduced to Pinewood Studios, the media industry as a whole and will hear what working in the industry is really like and the many career opportunities available. Each workshop is run by an instructor who is a specialist in their field and includes a live demo and a practical session.

The escape rooms at clueQuest provide an array of unique, cooperative and intuitive logic-based tasks. These are designed to ensure that no prior knowledge is required, making them perfect for all age groups. Which are nonetheless challenging and therefore make for a rewarding work-out of the following crucial soft-skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, attitude and leadership.

Britain’s spectacular museum of modern and contemporary international art. Themes include landscapes, environment, still life, action, and the body. The viewing level offers awe-inspiring 360ᵒ views of the London skyline from high above the River Thames, whilst The Tanks celebrate new art and showcase performances, interactive art and video installations.

An outstanding collection of Old Masters from the early Renaissance to 1900. A collection of Old Masters’ works from the early Renaissance onwards. The five floors and wings are arranged chronologically, making it easy for your pupils to track artistic progression. Examples include Giotto, Duccio, and many more.

If you're visiting the National Gallery this year, celebrate the museum's bicentenary with NG200 - a year-long festival bursting with art, creativity and imagination.

Soak up the history of one of the world's most iconic venues during this 90-minute tour. Take your picture in Europe's largest press conference room, find the shirt of your favourite England player in the dressing rooms, and line up in the players tunnel before following in the footsteps of legends and walking out pitch-side.

Educational workshops are also available for English, History, P.E. and Business Studies / Travel and Tourism - following the national curriculum and exam board specifications and suitable for Key Stages 2-5. Term time only.

Step behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on this immersive, self-guided experience and learn about how the stadium has been designed to create one of the best matchday experiences in the world. Gain exclusive access to First Team areas, as well as the custom-designed NFL facilities. Gain an insight into how the players prepare on a matchday and follow their journey by walking out of the first-team changing rooms, through the tunnel, and into the dugouts - you can almost hear the crowd!

Horizon 22 is London's highest free viewing platform. Located on Level 58, the viewing platform offers 300-degree views of London, showcasing its most iconic landmarks.

Take your pupils on an exciting educational journey through interactive exhibits that provide the perfect backdrop for cross-curricular learning. For Primary groups there are exhibits linking to specific learning objectives for Science, English, Art and PSHE, you can also complete ‘Twist Challenges’ to further enhance your visit. 

The museum is made up of a series of interconnected zones devoted to the contemplation of how we see things. Through a combination of science and art, the museum hopes to bring people together, challenging them and encouraging them to discuss and reflect on the ways in which we all perceive the world differently.

A visceral and contemporary new production that speaks to a world we find ourselves living in now, asking why has Macbeth haunted our fears and nightmares for centuries, and what lesson this cautionary tale is still urgently trying to communicate to us? 

Dates: 28th February - 29th March 2025

Show at: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Times: Monday - Wednesday 7.30pm, Matinees Wednesday 1.30pm & Saturday 2.30pm
Running time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval
Age Recommendation: 14 and over.
School prices available: Monday - Wednesday evening

Content guidance: Murder, Infanticide, inference of child loss, stage blood, and violence against women.

This production contains strobe lighting and other strong lighting effects, as well as loud noises.

Venturing out onto the streets of Bankside, expert Guides bring to life thrilling stories of the area around Shakespeare’s Globe including Thameside ferrymen, gruesome animal-baiting sports, and the rise of one of Elizabethan London’s original playhouses, The Rose, where it is believed that some of Shakespeare’s earliest plays were first performed

Immerse your students in the magic of the stage with Educational Tours at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London! Guided tours offer an exclusive look at the birthplace of the musical, modern pantomime and moving scenery in the oldest theatre on the same site in the world. Engage your students with an interactive tour led by expert actors. 

 

Embark on a thrilling journey in this explosive 1hr 40min immersive experience through time as you step into the heart of historic London at Tower Vaults, at the Tower of London. Through authentically recreated sets and state of the art virtual reality, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and secrets of 1605 London’s perilous streets. Join Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators as they plot to assassinate King James I.

Take an exhilarating outdoor climb over the O2 roof and enjoy the incredible views of London. Downloadable educational resources are also available.

Your pupils will have a week of learning about science, technology, engineering, and maths!

With many intriguing visits and hands-on workshops, this four-day trip to London will be both practical and fun.

• Visit the ArcelorMittal Orbit based in the grounds of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

• Spend a full day in the Science Museum:

The Interactive gallery

‘Engineer your future’ presents a series of interactive experiences based on key engineering skills used by real-life engineers.

The object gallery

‘Tomorrow’s World’ presents topical science and technology stories, from the most surprising, the biggest breakthroughs, to the headline-grabbing gadgets. Using displays and touch-screen interactives, gain insights into:

• Advances in modern science and technology.

• The way scientists work.

• Social and ethical implications of scientific and technological developments.

• Take part in a web development workshop.

• Have a fun afternoon in Madame Tussauds.

• See the city sights on a cruise up the River Thames.

• Take a ride on the Lastminute.com London Eye.

Take your budding photographers out for a fun-filled four days in London, experiencing different types of shots.

Combine this with one-day back at school with a lesson on photo manipulation, followed by a presentation from your pupils of their pictures and what they’ve learnt during the week.

• Visit the Photography Centre at the Victoria & Albert Museum - The V&A has been collecting photographs since 1856, and it was one of the first museums to present photography exhibitions. The museum has now added the Royal Photographic Society collection to its holdings, which contains around 270,000 photographs, an extensive library, and 6,000 cameras and pieces of equipment associated with leading artists and photographic pioneers.

• Take part in a Lion King workshop with expert Disney Teaching Artists, perfect for your pupils to take some fun action shots of each other.

• Take a ride on the London Eye and practise cityscape and panoramic photography followed by a walking tour of London, capturing the urban environment - you never know what or who you’re going to come across on the streets of London, from street performers and street art to architectural landmarks and a plethora of impeccably designed buildings.

Task your pupils with colour and black and white imagery.

• See the city sights on a cruise up the River Thames.

• Spend some free time shopping in Covent Garden.

Unlock your pupils’ inner thespian by taking them on an exciting trip through the world of theatre with four days in London – combine this with a day of in-school activity such as writing and performing their own small-scale show!

• Watch a West End Show of your choice.

• Take part in two practical workshops;

We offer a range of expert-led workshops to suit your specific needs whether your focus is on theatre, performing arts, English and drama, literature and creative writing or dance.

• Take a backstage tour of The National Theatre and discover the secrets behind bringing productions to the stage. You’ll get exclusive access to unseen parts of the building, including the workshops where sets and props are created.

• Visit Shakespeare’s Globe exhibition & tour followed by a 30-minute live demonstration, options include:

• Stage Fighting

• Elizabethan Dressing

• Plus, experience a ‘stand in the yard’ outdoor evening performance

• Have a fun afternoon in Madame Tussauds.

• See the city sights on a cruise up the River Thames.

• Allow some free time shopping in Covent Garden and watch the street performers.

• A three-hour programme at London Film Academy – workshops and seminars will cover key areas of cinematography and storyboarding.

• A hands-on practical teaching session with City Academy for a workshop in filmmaking. Instruction on storyboarding, camera, lighting, and sound.

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter tour plus workshop, options include:

• Pitching

• Instructional Writing

• Script to Screen

• Costume Characterisation

• The Distressing Process

• Camera Choices

• BFI Imax - Get the pop-corn out and sit back and watch a recent release on Britain’s biggest screen or, enjoy a private morning viewing from a choice from their extensive library.

• London Film Locations Walking Tour - You’ll see how London has been used by movie makers from all over the world to represent both the British capital – home to on screen heroes such as James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, but can also stand in for numerous other locations from across the globe including St Petersburg, Switzerland and even Gotham City!

• Shopping time in Covent Garden.