School trips to London can be just as fulfilling as those to other European centres. The cosmopolitan UK capital is bursting with stories to tell, museums to visit, places to see and landmarks to marvel at. So, before going further afield, why not consider one of the excellent school trips to London?
Exploring the Capital
It really doesn't matter what the academic focus is, school trips to London can cover all bases in that respect. They can, of course, be more geared to one subject or another; or, as many groups choose, itineraries can a little more general in order to give students a well-rounded view of the city.
Get Your Bearings
A great way to start exploring the city is by taking a trip on an open-air tour bus - and this is always extremely popular with students! This works on a 'hop-on, hop-off' basis, so the group can get on and off whenever you want. While on board there is a running commentary. Also included with this bus ticket are three free walking tours and a free Thames River cruise too.
The Dungeons
The London Dungeons make a great addition to school trips in London. The 90-minute excursion will take students through the dungeons, allowing them to experience scary rides and gruesome live depictions of real life events from the days of Jack the Ripper and the Great Fire.
The Zoo
Younger students, especially, will appreciate a visit to the city zoo. There are over 700 species of animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes and monkeys. There are plenty of interactive learning opportunities, and a day here will offers students the opportunity to learn so much about the animals of our world.
St Paul's
The main cathedral of the city, St Paul's, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Coming in at at 111 metres high, students can negotiate the steps to the top and marvel at the incredible city skyline spread out before them. At the top is the Whispering Gallery, which runs round the inside of the dome. At this wonderful site, students can appreciate the architectural brilliance of the man commissioned to design such an impressive building.
School trips to London can include so many excursions on a variety of itineraries. From the Tower of London to Madam Tussauds, and from watching a world-renowned theatre production to spending a day at the science museum, there is something for all in this great city.
Angela Bowden works for EST (Equity School Travel), the UK's largest educational travel company, providing school trips to London for secondary schools, primary schools and colleges. Tours with EST can also encompass a wide range of other learning opportunities in worldwide destinations.