History Trips to Bristol

Who's it for?

  • Secondary School, Sixth Form

Curriculum Included

Key Highlights

  • Participate in the 'Bristol and the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans' workshop at M Shed
  • Meet your local historian for a guided walking tour of the city
  • Visit to the SS Great Britain
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About this trip

A 1 or 2 day visit to Bristol will give History students the opportunity to learn more about the impact of migration across the centuries, the experiences of migrants and their impact on society. Expert local guides can take you on walking tours around the city to focus on the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott & Edward Colston. Bristol is the ideal city to enlighten and educate students in this hugely topical theme.

Sample Itinerary

Use our sample itinerary to help picture what your trip could look like. Our itineraries are flexible, visits and timings will be planned based on your needs.

Select an itinerary:

Sample itinerary for a 1 day trip

Day 1
Morning

Depart school for mid-morning arrival in Bristol. Head straight to M Shed to participate in their 'Bristol and the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans' workshop. After which there will be time for your students to explore the relevant displays at with a free one-hour, self-guided activity

Afternoon

Meet your local historian for a guided walking tour of the city. Themes covered will include: Migration from 11th Century to present day The impact of Industrial Revolution The Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans Edward Colston The Abolition movement

Evening

Evening return to school

Sample itinerary for a 2 day trip

Day 1
Morning

Depart school for mid-morning arrival in Bristol. Head straight to M Shed to participate in their 'Bristol and the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans' workshop. After which there will be time for your students to explore the relevant displays at with a free one-hour, self-guided activity

Afternoon

Meet your local historian for a guided walking tour of the city. Themes covered will include: Migration from 11th Century to present day The impact of Industrial Revolution The Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans Edward Colston The Abolition movement

Evening

Check in to your accommodation. Evening meal and free time

Day 2
Morning

Visit to the SS Great Britain to discover real passenger stories from the 19th century

Afternoon

Free time to explore Bristol’s shopping quarter

Evening

Depart for your return journey to school

Trip Details

Educational Visits In Bristol

Other Study Visits

  • Guided Walking Tour
    Led by local historians Mark Steeds or Eugene Brooks this 2.5 – 3 hour walking tour will focus on migration topics such as Migration from 11th Century to present day, the impact of the Industrial Revolution, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the Abolition movement, 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott and 1980 St Pauls, riot or uprising. Key locations in Bristol will include Queen Square, Seven Stars Pub, Castle Park & the Old City, Colston Statue site, Great George Street and College Green.
  • Bristol Ferry Boat Cruise - Abolition Afloat
    During a boat journey around historic sights, students will learn about transatlantic slavery and abolition through stories from a Bristol ship’s boy and 11-year old Olaudah Equiano’s experience of kidnap and enslavement. They will also explore some legacies of this history and celebrate those who fought for abolition. The trip includes interactive commentary, audio recordings and classroom resources.
  • The Matthew of Bristol
    Explore this replica of the 15th-century caravel that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497. In 1997 she sailed across the Atlantic once more to mark the 500th anniversary of the historic voyage.
  • St Mary Redcliffe Church
    Explore Bristol’s maritime history in an interactive workshop and meet the city’s explorers and merchants. In this workshop you will be introduced to the wealthy 15th century shipowner and Lord Mayor of Bristol William Canynges MP, explorer John Cabot who sailed to North America in 1497 and the controversial merchant Edward Colston.
  • The New Room
    The New Room is the oldest Methodist building in the world, built in 1739 by John and Charles Wesley. A keen abolitionist John Wesley denounced slavery as "the sum of all villainies," and published a pamphlet titled ‘Thoughts Upon Slavery’. Explore the chapel and the museum to learn more about how Wesley took a stand against slavery.
  • Underfall Yard
    Since the creation of the Floating Harbour in 1809, Underfall Yard has been crucial to its operation and maintenance. Led by their enthusiastic guides these 1 hour tours take in the Pump Room, Workshops and Sluice Room.
  • The Georgian House Museum
    Discover what a Bristol sugar plantation and slave owner’s home might have looked like around 1790. Eleven rooms spread over four floors reveal what life was like above and below stairs, from the kitchen in the basement where servants prepared meals to the elegant formal rooms above.

Ready to start planning your trip?

We can include specific visits in your itinerary, additional visits can be added based on the trip length and needs of the curriculum or teacher.

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Other Cultural Visits

  • Bath
    Bristol is close to the city of Bath, which means you may wish to add an extra day on to your school trip to discover the sights of this historic city. Popular choices include The Roman Baths, The American Museum in Britain, The Jane Austen Centre, Cheddar Gorge and Bath Abbey
  • Bath Abbey
    There is nowhere else quite like Bath Abbey. Magnificent stained-glass windows, columns of honey-gold stone and some of the finest fan vaulting in the world, create an extraordinary experience of light and space. A beautiful stop for any Bath school tour.
  • The Georgian House Museum
    Discover what a Bristol sugar plantation and slave owner’s home might have looked like around 1790. Eleven rooms spread over four floors reveal what life was like above and below stairs, from the kitchen in the basement where servants prepared meals to the elegant formal rooms above.
  • Bristol Shopping Quarter
    Home to a mixture of high street and boutique shops, cafe's, restaurants and cinema, this is an ideal place for some downtime.

Ready to start planning your trip?

We can include specific visits in your itinerary, additional visits can be added based on the trip length and needs of the curriculum or teacher.

Get A Quote

Why choose WST for School Trips?

At WST the customer is at the heart of everything we do. A strong set of values runs right from the core of our business. We believe that this is what makes us stand out from the crowd.

10/10 service from start to finish. Could not have been on a better trip. The organisation of activities, travel, the meals/restaurants, the hotel were all superb. After covid and the nerves surrounding taking 40 pupils away I can honestly say WST has put together a fantastic service.
Mintlaw Academy
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