School Trip Attractions in London

By Dom Bewley
School Trip Attractions in London

If you're looking for excursion inspiration to brighten up the school year, check out our picks of the best school attractions in London and get them excited!

Including:

  • Do UK schools have field trips?
  • Why go on a school trip to London?
  • Do I have to pay for school trips UK?
  • School Trip Attractions in London

Do UK schools have field trips?

They do! Otherwise, it would be weird if you were looking for school trip attractions in London! School trips are a great way to get the class out into the real world and supplement the existing curriculum with some hands-on experience!

Why go on a school trip to London?

Firstly, as England's capital, London is a city steeped in history. Having existed in some form for over 2000 years, you'll find a tonne of recognisable landmarks and experiences for kids to enjoy. It's also a great place for kids to see a whole melting pot of amazing cultures working side by side.

Do I have to pay for school trips UK?

It depends on the trip. Plenty of schools have a 'trip budget' that teachers are able to equally dip into, but for longer, more expensive trips, kids - or their parents - tend to pay. But don't worry - teachers won't need to pay with their own hard-earned cash!

School Trip Attractions in London: London Bridge Experience

If you're looking for something that's equal parts light-hearted, informative, and spooky, then dare to take the class to the London Bridge Experience. Voted the city's scariest attraction for eleven years running, it's a historical exploration of London's seedier side that's perfect in the run-up to Halloween.

This immersive adventure, led by actors in full makeup, provides a gripping exploration of London's grim past. You'll encounter some of the city's most notorious and macabre figures, including William Wallace and Jack the Ripper, as they detail their crimes and the punishment they received.

With its tongue firmly in its cheek, the London Bridge Experience is perfect for even younger classes. Just don't head to the Tombs beneath - as it's more a haunted maze than anything particularly informative.

School Trip Attractions in London: Tower of London

One of London's oldest standing landmarks, the Tower of London stands as a testament to centuries of intrigue and grandeur. Dating back to the 11th century, it's a living relic, having played diverse roles throughout its nearly millennium-long existence, from a formidable stronghold to a foreboding prison.

Today, the Tower holds the secrets of the iconic Beefeaters, the loyal wardens who watch over its storied halls. Glimpse the mystical black ravens, steeped in superstition, said to protect the city. It's a plunge into not just the Tower's annals but also the very essence of London's history.

As your adventure unfolds, make your way to the heavily guarded Crown Jewels, a treasure trove that has tempted many but remained untouchable.

It's the grand finale to a visit that will leave you in awe of the Tower's timeless allure, where legends intertwine with history, and where the spirit of London's past and present resides.

School Trip Attractions in London: Royal Museums Greenwich

For the science-minded, a trip to the Royal Museums Greenwich will be a great, ahem, time.

Begin your voyage at the Royal Observatory, the very birthplace of Greenwich Mean Time and the framework for our globe-spanning time zones. Stand upon the prime meridian line, where the world's timekeeping finds its point of origin. Then, make your way to the National Maritime Museum, where the tales of seafaring history await your exploration. It's a glimpse into the maritime narratives that have shaped the world.

And finally, stop by the Cutty Sark to see an era-appropriate ship it all its aged glory.

School Trip Attractions in London: Kew Gardens

For your biology class, a school trip to Kew Gardens is a perfect blend of education, exploration, and inspiration. Kids will be able to immerse themselves in a world of botanical wonders, diverse ecosystems, and rare plant species.

The garden's living classroom provides an interactive platform for biology, environmental science, and geography lessons. It's a hands-on approach to learning that sparks curiosity and fosters an appreciation for the natural world. But Kew Gardens is not just about science; it's also a place where art and history converge. The iconic glasshouses, Victorian architecture, and historic landscapes offer insights into human creativity and horticultural heritage.

Plus, it's a lovely, serene place that'll taper even the most hectic of children. Ah, bliss, however fleeting it may be.

School Trip Attractions in London: Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

If you're a drama teacher and wondering where to take your troublemakers, London's West End is full of amazing plays and performances. But with even a medium-sized class, the cost of tickets could quickly pile up. Instead, take them to the origins of modern Western theatre at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre!

This faithful reconstruction of the original Globe - which burned down in offers students a firsthand encounter with the timeless works of William Shakespeare. The immersive experience of witnessing his plays on the very stage they were written for brings literature to life. It enriches English and drama classes by deepening students' understanding of Shakespearean language, storytelling, and the cultural context of his era.

School Trip Attractions in London: London Transport Museum

Finally, we'll end with an unusual choice. You may not have expected a visit to the London Transport Museum to make it onto a list of school trip attractions in London, but if you take your kids there, they'll be in for a treat.

This engaging and interactive museum provides a tangible link to the history and development of London's public transport system. Your class will explore vintage vehicles, iconic double-decker buses, and historic Underground carriages, all while gaining insights into how these innovations shaped the city.

It's an educational experience that bridges history, engineering, and urban planning, making it perfect for geography and history classes. So don't sleep on the London Transport Museum!

And those were our picks of the best school trip attractions in London! If you want to make the trip up without your class in tow, grab a London Pass and see all of the city's best bits for one low price!

Dom Bewley
London Travel Expert

Build your unique London itinerary with our trip planner

Who's going?
Adult
1
Child (5-15)
0
How many days?
What do you want to see?

Continue reading

Blog

St David’s Day in London: What’s On

St David’s Day is the feast day of Saint David, patron saint of Wales. It’s been celebrated on March 1, the presumed date of David’s death in 589 AD, since his canonisation in the 12th century. Today, the day and surrounding weeks serve as a time to celebrate Wales, Welshness and the Welsh, inside Wales and across the UK. So how can you celebrate St David’s Day in London? Well, with Wales Week bringing a wealth of Welsh-themed events to London between 22nd February and 8th March 2020, there’s plenty to do. From official events to pop-ups, there’s a varied set of ways to celebrate St David’s Day in London, including... A concert by The Welsh Guards A Welsh history walk around the City of London Some great St David's Day foodie tips And much, much more The Band of The Welsh Guards in The Guards’ Chapel See The Band of The Welsh Guards in their annual concert celebrating St David’s Day in London. Get swept away on a musical journey celebrating Wales’s patron saint as the esteemed Welsh Guards section of The Queen’s Household Division fill The Guards’ Chapel in the Wellington Barracks with sound. It’s free to enter, but you need to register to get in. Be sure to get there early to get the best seats! Friday 6th March 2020, 18.30 - 20.00. The Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ. For more information and to book, head HERE. St David's Day Concert in Aid of The Passage Hear the wonderful tones and timbres and harmonies of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir at a special St David’s Day concert. Held at the Methodist Central Hall Westminster, the concert celebrates Welsh music and popular classical tunes through this most Welsh of choral setups. The evening, hosted by broadcaster, writer and political adviser Guto Harri, is held in aid of The Passage’s homelessness services. You can pay for general admission to the concert, which starts at 19.00. Alternatively, you can choose to add on a ticket for the pre-concert reception from 17.30. Drinks and canapés are served as you await the beginning of the concert. Friday 28th February 2020, 19.00 - 21.30. Methodist Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, London SW1H 9NH. For more information and to book, head HERE. Annual St David’s Day Walk with Caroline James Now in its 17th year, the Annual St David’s Day Walk takes you on a tour of Welsh history in London. It’s the ideal way to celebrate St David’s Day in London, learning about the contributions made to the city by famous Welsh residents and groups, including Sir Hugh Myddelton, Royal Jeweller under King James I, and various 18th Century Welsh societies. The walk starts at 11am, with all guests asked to meet outside The Blackfriar Pub on Queen Victoria Street. From there, you’ll pass through the famous streets of this storied area, picking up fascinating facts and interesting tales about Welsh culture and heritage in the capital. The walk ends at Bank Junction and lasts approximately two hours. Handily, the tour takes place on two consecutive Saturdays, the 29th February and 7th March 2020. Saturday 29th February and Saturday 7th March 2020, 11.00 at The Blackfriar Pub, 174 Queen Victoria St, London EC4V 4EG. For more information and to book, head HERE. Welsh Whiskey Masterclass and Food Pairing Celebrate St David’s Day in London with five whiskeys from the Penderyn distillery and food pairings to match. It’s a Welsh-themed whiskey tasting, with all five tipples award-winning creations of the Penderyn distillery, Wales’s oldest whiskey producer. Hosted by Forbes whisky writer and World Whisky Awards judge Felipe Schrieberg, the evening event will teach you techniques to train your nose and palate. Schrieberg will also take you through the fascinating history of Welsh whisky and the Penderyn distillery. The food pairings mix the classical with the creative. Signature whisky Welsh rarebit. Cheese and leek sausage bits. Cawl, in both traditional and veggie versions. The menu comes courtesy of The Ingredientist, a catering company who run the kitchen at Milroy’s, England’s largest whisky bar. Put simply, they know what they’re doing. Half price early bird tickets are on sale now. Tuesday 25th February, Wednesday 26th February, Tuesday 10th March and Wednesday 11th March 2020, 19.00-21.00. Factory Coffee, 96A Leather Lane, London EC1N 7TX. For more information and to book, head HERE. Novello & Son A new play by Welsh writer Arnold Evans, Novello & Son will be performed twice at the London Welsh Centre on 25th February 2020. The piece focuses on Clara Novello Davies, mother of Ivor Novello, famed Welsh songwriter, composer, dramatist and actor. An eccentric and proud character, Clara was a musical star in her own right, a leading light of Welsh choral singing as a choir mistress, teacher and singer. But her son’s fame came to eclipse hers, as he became a star of silent movies and the West End stage. The play finds Clara struggling with her son’s newfound superstardom, their relationship and her own place in Welsh musical history. Expect performances of Ivor’s best loved tunes, lashings of humour and poignant moments that interrogate the relationship between mother and son. Two performances on Tuesday 25th February 2020, 13.00 matinee and 19.30 evening performance. The London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8UE. For more info and to book, head HERE. Annual St David’s Day Celebration at Guildhall The longest-running event celebrating St David’s Day in London. Each year since 1904, the Welsh community in London has held a St. David’s Day dinner. This year’s takes place on Wednesday 26th February 2020 at Guildhall in the City of London. Hosted by Huw Edwards, with speakers including poet Mereid Hopwood-Bard and former Labour government minister Lord Davies of Abersoch. The champagne reception starts at 18.15, with dinner in the Great Hall from 19.15. Music comes from choir, Only Boys Aloud. Guildhall, Basinghall St, City of London, London EC2V 7HH. For more information and ticket enquiries, head HERE. Dominique Ansel Bakery They always make something to celebrate St David’s Day at Dominique Ansel Bakery. Well, they do something to celebrate all British patron saint days, and plenty of other special events besides. And if you thought that such celebratory creativity might be a push for most bakeries and patisseries, you probably need introducing to Dominique Ansel. He’s the guy who came up with the cronut. You know, the super calorific croissant-donut hybrid that everyone was talking about, regardless of whether they’d tried it or not. Yep, that guy. And here at Dominique Ansel Bakery in London, they do a welsh rarebit croissant every year to celebrate St David’s Day. It is as decadent as you’d expect from one of the most daring minds in contemporary baking. Dominique Ansel Bakery, 17-21 Elizabeth St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9RP. A Double Dose of Chef Bryn Williams1. St David's Day Breakfast Welsh celebrity chef Bryn Williams is putting on two events to celebrate St David’s Day in London. First off, there’s the St David’s Day Breakfast, held at Bryn Williams at Somerset House. Williams and his team will be serving a range of delectable Welsh breakfast canapes, including leek and potato soup, deep fried oysters, black pudding and apple, Welsh rarebit and sausage rolls. The event starts at 9.30, so there’ll be freshly-brewed coffee, fruit juices and teas. The event ends at 11.30, so there’ll be a selection of Welsh sparkling wines and beers brought out as soon as it’s appropriate. The St David’s Day Breakfast takes place on Friday 28th February 2020, 09.30-11.30 at Bryn Williams at Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. To find out more and book, head HERE. 2. St David's Day Sunday Lunch Next up, Williams’ popular Primrose Hill restaurant, Odette will be offering a special St David’s Day Sunday lunch on March 1st. The celebratory meal features three courses for £40, with plenty of choices to make for each of the three stages. For starters, there’s a Welsh beef tartare with mushroom ketchup and rosemary cracker, up against, among others, leek and potato soup with a slow cooked egg and warm Caerphilly scone. In the mains, choose from Cornish turbot, shin of beef and cockles with sea herbs (a Great British Menu Winner in 2006); roast beef with all the trimmings; and a white onion risotto with pickled trompette mushies and pecorino for the veggie people or the veggie-inclined. The cheese and dessert course is pretty astounding too. Bara brith panna cotta served with a warm Welsh cake, a blackberry souffle and Welsh rarebit are all vying for your attention. The St David’s Day Sunday Lunch takes place on Sunday 1st March 2020 at Odette’s Restaurant, 130 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL. For more information and to book, head HERE. Watch Some Rugby Rugby is a big deal in Wales. Is it Wales’s national sport? Some might contest that it’s football these days. But whatever, it’s still a big deal. Can’t people like both? Surely you can have two national sports? Can’t we all get on all the time? It’s the Six Nations, so two big Wales rugby games are taking place around St David’s Day. First off, you’ve got Wales vs France on Saturday 22nd February. Then you’ve got England vs Wales on Saturday 7th March. Get along to your local, or find a packed out sports bar or Welsh supporters event. They’re a bit before and after the day itself. But there are few more appropriate and enjoyable ways of celebrating St David’s Day in London than singing a few songs and watching the big guys in red. So, that's it for our St David's Day in London. As ever, if you have anything to add, let us know in the comments below. For information on how you can see London's best attractions with one pass, click the button below.
Matthew Pearson
Brick Lane street sign.
Blog

East London Attractions

East London may well lay claim to being the city’s coolest quarter, thanks to its proliferation of urban art, bleeding-edge galleries, buzzy markets, global street food and hipper-than-thou cocktail bars and speakeasies. It’s also where you’ll find landmarks including the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Walthamstow Wetlands, and Whitechapel’s haunting, haunted lanes, which have retained the best of their Victorian character. Take a walk with us as we explore some of the finest attractions East London has to offer... Brick Lane The good news is that, in spite of the area’s ongoing gentrification attempts, Bangladeshi and Jewish influences continue to dominate along Brick Lane. You’d still be hard-pressed to find a better curry or bagel anywhere else in London, and that’s reason enough to visit this characterful kaleidoscope of cultures, in our humble opinion. But there’s so much more to see and do along these iconic cobbles. We’re talking flea markets that fairly heave with retro fashions and vintage vinyl; supermarkets brimming with exotic fruits and spices; tiny antique stores and bouji indie boutiques; plus some of the best street art this side of NYC. Heck, there’s even a bowling alley. Something, in other words, for just about everyone. ArcelorMittal Orbit Britain’s largest piece of public art, a looping, swirling behemoth designed by Turner-Prize winning artist Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond, the ArcelorMittal Orbit is the centerpiece of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. Ascend to the viewing platforms 260 feet up for views across Olympic tracks where records were set and broken at the 2012 games. And that’s not all: you can also see a great many more London landmarks from up here, including the Shard, Big Ben and the 02 Arena. Thrillseekers who fancy experiencing the quickest route back down to terra firma can take on the world’s longest and tallest slide, an epic 12-loop monster designed by German artist Carsten Höller that twists and turns its way down for 40 seconds of pure fun. Or terror, depending on your constitution. Dennis Severs’ House Tucked away on a quiet side street a stone’s throw from Spitalfields Market, Dennis Severs’ House is a mesmerizing throwback to a bygone era; the kind of out-of-time oddity you only really tend to find in East London. Step inside this Georgian townhouse, where Severs spent the last 20 years of his life painstakingly recreating the 18th-century lives of a fictional Huguenot family. Preserved since his death in 2000, the house is, in effect, a theater set that’s alive with period décor and furnishings hawked from market stalls, and is at perhaps its most evocative around Christmas, when rooms are decked out with festive candles, trees and decorations. The Guardian called it “a three-dimensional historical novel written in brick and candlelight” while Severs himself described it, rather more prosaically, as a "time machine". Columbia Road Flower Market Tucked between Shoreditch and Bethnal Green, Columbia Road is a pretty colorful place to visit at the best of times, all independent delis and bakeries, tiny art galleries and cool boutiques where rummaging for vintage clothes and retro records is practically a way of life. But it’s on Sundays that it really bursts into full technicolor life, thanks to a blooming marvelous flower market that runs the gamut from £1 bedding plants to ten-foot-tall banana trees, and just about every conceivable plant in between. Come for the colors, stay for the sweet scents and chilled Sunday morning vibes. Jack the Ripper Tour The characterful cobbled avenues and neat brick houses of Whitechapel, one of East London’s most visited attractions, exude Victorian charm. But they weren’t always this pleasing to the eye – or this safe. Jack the Ripper remains big business around these parts, his legend drawing thousands of amateur sleuths every year, all keen to unravel this infamous murder mystery. Take a walking tour with expert guides, who will transport you back to the East End of the late 19th Century, visiting dimly lit alleys and recounting bloodcurdling tales of the Ripper’s murders as well as seeking out some of the regular haunts of his victims, and the notorious murder sites. Chilling, thrilling stuff. ABBA Voyage And now for something a little more... light-hearted. ABBA Voyage is a musical extravaganza that takes place in the (purpose built, no less) ABBA Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Using four avatars of the original members of the band as they appeared in their 1979 heyday – all velvet suits with flared trouser hems, floaty kaftans and brightly coloured glitter suits – the show takes fans on a musical journey, with a live band providing the enthusiastic backing to iconic hits including Voulez-Vous, The Winner Takes It All and, of course, Dancing Queen. Look out for the space-age neon ‘ABBAtron’ outfits. A strong look in any era. Walthamstow Wetlands Europe’s largest urban wetlands can be found a short walk from the Tottenham Hale Station on the Victoria line. This awesome 500+ acre site encompasses 10 reservoirs and a whole host of colorful bird and insect life. A busy program of talks, walks, tours and kids’ activities helps reveal some of the reserve’s most interesting visitors, among them breeding birds including gray herons, tufted ducks and little egrets, wintering waterfowl such as pochard and gadwall, and kingfishers and peregrines that swoop and dive for their supper. Depending on the season, you might also spot damselflies, dragonflies, butterflies, bats and amphibians. Whitechapel Gallery Tucked away on Whitechapel High Street, this wonderful gallery has been quietly wowing punters for over a century, thanks to its wide-ranging (and ever-changing) exhibitions of modern and contemporary masterpieces. The gallery even exhibited Picasso’s Guernica, one of the most powerful anti-war statements ever committed to canvas, back in 1938. Step inside for free art shows and installations that are all but guaranteed to expand your mind. Victoria Park Victoria Park (or Vicky Park as it’s known to locals) is perhaps East London’s best-loved green space, chock-full of walking trails, playgrounds, cafés and interesting monuments. Look out for the Grade II-listed drinking fountain designed by Henry Darbyshire and the famous Dogs of Alcibiades statues. Keep your eyes peeled and you might even spot some stone alcoves from the original London Bridge tucked away in the park’s northeast corner! There’s a cool food market with live music every Sunday and the V&A playground is a boon for all parents of energetic toddlers. Come back in summer for a whole host of live entertainment, including major music festivals such as All Points East. Save on Activities and Attractions in London Save on admission to Paris attractions with The London Pass. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Royal Albert Hall
Blog

Things to do near Hyde Park, London

London’s Hyde Park covers a whopping 350 acres, stretching from Kensington Gardens in the west all the way east to Oxford Street and Mayfair. Our guide to all the best things to do in and around Hyde Park includes magnificent Kensington Palace, Harrods, the Serpentine Galleries, Portobello Market, the Natural History Museum, and more! Read on for the lowdown…
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
The London Eye
Tower of London

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Tower Bridge
St Paul’s Cathedral