School trip ideas London

You don’t have to book a school trip abroad to discover the perfect blend of history, culture, and modern innovation. Instead, many teachers are choosing school trips to London, either for a day or closer to a week to allow students to soak in the city. With no shortage of museums, art galleries, and immersive workshops, England’s capital city provides everything you need for a UK school tour.

In this guide, we’ll help you put together the perfect itinerary with 9 London school trip ideas, plus 6 free activities you can schedule in between larger attractions. Whether you teach maths, science, drama, or history, London can offer your students a variety of unique things to do.

In a city as big as London, it can be hard to narrow down the absolute must-sees. These classic attractions are enjoyed by teachers and students alike.

Best for: History

One of London’s top historical hotspots, the Tower of London offers access to view medieval weaponry worn by kings and noblemen, as well as the Crown Jewels. Iconic Yeomen Warders known as ‘Beefeaters’ act as guardians of the tower, though in modern times they act more as ceremonial and educational figures.  

Planned school visits can also include self-led activities for KS1 to KS4 students, with the option to book additional learning sessions and tours for an added fee. 

Best for: All subjects

Not only is the London Eye one of London’s most famous landmarks, but it also offers a panoramic view over the River Thames and other landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Shard, and Tower Bridge. This can connect to multiple school subjects, from history to science and geography, so it is worth including in your next London class trip.

Best for: Drama and Performing Arts

Enjoy some of the best performances available in the UK with a school trip to the West End, with a rotating number of productions that span musicals, drama, literature, and more. Certain theatres may also offer workshops and backstage experiences your students are certain to remember for years to come. 

Best for: History, Religious Studies

One of London’s most iconic landmarks, St Paul’s Cathedral is the perfect backdrop for students with an interest in history, with baroque architecture that survived the Blitz of World War II. The cathedral itself offers a stunning interior sure to captivate your class.

Their learning team offers plenty of learning sessions, workshops, and even live virtual visits that can be tailored to Key Stages, GCSE, and College groups. Resources are also available for teachers planning self-led trips.

Best for: History, Drama, Media Studies

For a fun addition to a history or politics school trip, students can visit the hyper-accurate wax figures at Madame Tussauds in London. Free planning tickets are available when you book to assist in your school trip planning. 

The figures on display cover multiple historical and pop culture icons, politicians, world leaders, and more. This can make the attraction perfect for facilitating discussions relevant to your subject, with a versatile range of figures to focus on as part of your class tour.

While London is a versatile location for any school trip, the best school trips are tailored to your subject and curriculum, built for enrichment and immersive learning experiences. These ideas should help you get started:

A drama school trip to London provides students with the opportunity to find a new understanding of Shakespeare’s London with a tour of the Globe Theatre. Students can enjoy performances of classic plays like As You Like It and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the same grounds as the original Globe Theatre from the Elizabethan era.

For a modern twist, students can take in a show on the world-famous West End to see musicals like Matilda or Wicked, or more historical options like Les Misérables. Theatre and studio tours are also available alongside dance and theatre workshops for a fully immersive experience that’s sure to inspire your class.

London is a hub of innovation, and as a result comes with many learning opportunities for maths and science students. On a maths trip to London, students can learn from the immersive exhibitions at the Science Museum, learn real-life applications at the Bank of England Museum, and visit nearby Bletchley Park, home of British Codebreaking.

Trips can be tailored to the GSCE or A-level curriculum, and include a mix of maths-specific and cultural visits to iconic London landmarks and institutions like the Imperial War Museum, Natural History Museum, and London Eye.

London’s art galleries are renowned for their variety, history, and educational value. With institutions like the Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, and National Gallery, students can experience multiple artistic movements in one school trip. 

Many of these galleries also offer free entry, making them good options for budget school trips. After a visit to an art gallery, students can sit along the banks of the Thames and enjoy a sketching session, or explore the capital to take in the unique street art culture London has to offer.

London is one of the world’s oldest cities, existing in some form for almost 2,000 years—perfect for history trips. From Jack the Ripper walking tours to expert-led workshops at various museums, students can enjoy history trips that align directly with their studies.

London’s historic landmarks are varied, with several options for WWI and WWII history, Elizabethan England, and the country’s justice system. Visit the Imperial War Museum, Churchill’s underground War Rooms, and board the HMS Belfast. 

According to the United Nations, a forest is anywhere consisting of at least 20% trees. At a stunning 21%, London is technically a forest—despite the undeniably urban skyline and towering glass buildings. The city contains many such surprises for geography students, with unique insights into how urbanisation and sustainability can work hand-in-hand.

Students can also visit the Natural History Museum, London Eco Waste Park, the Thames Flood Barrier, and many unique sites perfect for a geography school trip.

London literature trips offer a perfect opportunity for students to connect with key concepts outside of the classroom. There is no better way to immerse your class in the world of Shakespeare’s England than a visit to the Globe Theatre itself. Students can explore the theatre, rebuilt in 1614 and again in 1997, and learn more about Shakespeare’s audiences, plays, performances, and entertainment in Elizabethan England. 

Students can also enjoy educational experiences at both the Globe Theatre and via City Academy’s Creative Writing Workshops. Themed walking tours can also cover curriculum-specific authors like Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

For KS1 and KS2 groups, London offers excellent opportunities for enriching trips to the West End, Chessington World of Adventures, the London Eye, and adventures on a Thames River Cruise. 

Guided tours are available to take students through all the major sites, while the Natural History Museum and Science Museum typically have interactive exhibits, workshops, and memorable events throughout the year. 

No sports tour to London would be complete without visiting the iconic Wimbledon grounds. These tennis courts are world-famous, while school groups can also take in the indescribable atmosphere on Henman Hill as they enjoy the game. 

For additional enrichment, London sports trips can also include a tour of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Chelsea Football Ground. 

An enrichment trip to London offers students a break from the classroom while continuing their learning in a new context. They can see the sights of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, as well as enjoy a Highlights of London guided tour taking them through the city’s most major recognisable landmarks. 

There is also the opportunity to explore a plethora of museums and world-famous art galleries sure to complement the curriculum and leave your students with a fresh feeling of inspiration.

You may find your class with free time on a school trip, either by design or a sudden schedule change. These free attractions can provide your class with a fantastic afternoon of education and fun learning experiences.

Best for: History

The Imperial War Museum covers wartime topics from the First World War to modern day, with permanent exhibitions on Peace, the Holocaust, and the First World War. It is also home to over 150,000 artifacts, including uniforms, weapons, and vehicles. Here, students can gain a deeper understanding of life both in the trenches and among workers at home, providing unique insight into the impact of war on people. 

Best for: Science, Maths

Students can explore scientific inventions, and innovations from early prototypes all the way to the space age. Interactive exhibitions make it easy for students to appreciate complex topics, bringing concepts from physics, biology and chemistry down to earth and inspiring them to be curious. 

Best for: Geography, History, Science

The Natural History Museum offers a gigantic collection of fossils and natural specimens from around the world. Its immersive galleries offer students a deeper insight into evolution, environmental science, and the importance of ecosystems.

Best for: Art and Design

Specialising in contemporary and modern art, students can enjoy a range of styles and artistic voices, themes and mediums from paint to immersive sculptures and displays. Exhibits are designed to promote artistic discussion and interpretation, as well as inspiration.

Best for: Art and Design, History

A treasure trove of cultural history, the V&A is home to a vast collection of fashion, textiles, sculptures, and more. Exhibitions are sure to inspire students with the full span of human creativity across multiple cultures and time periods.

Best for: All subjects

A free afternoon in London is well-spent in Covent Garden. This selection of shops and museums is close to Leicester Square and the West End, while boasting a selection of shopping, restaurants, and cultural destinations like the London Transport Museum.

With over 35 years of experience, Next Generation Travel has the expertise you need to plan a great school trip to London. We help you through the logistics to create an itinerary tailored to your subject and year group, as well as the curriculum and learning objectives. 

We use our knowledge and experience to make sure you can focus on inspiring your students with a memorable trip, rather than worrying about the logistics. Request a quote today.