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School Trips & Tours to London

A cultural capital by anyone’s estimation, London is one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities on the planet. 

The city’s heritage means there’s nearly always something to learn around every corner, particularly if your focus is in literature, theatre, history, architecture, business, religious studies or general sightseeing. Samuel Johnson famously remarked that “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life” – and we can see just what he was getting at.

School trips to London offer young people a valuable new perspective outside of the classroom and a chance to experience the sights, sounds, hustle and bustle of a major global city. The capital also boasts a regular events programme that no other city can match.

When it comes to the educational side of things, London offers a wide and diverse range of educational tours and visits that will enlighten and expand the imagination of pupils across all age groups.

Take a look at some of our most popular London school trips, or get in touch for more information or advice – we’re always happy to help.

Browse our curriculum-linked school trips to London

Art & Design

Art & Design

A major force in the global arts scene, London boasts unrivalled clusters of world famous museums, galleries and architecture.

Learn more about our art & design trips to London here

Business Studies

Business Studies

Many groups every year travel with NST to experience London, one of the world’s largest financial centres.

Learn more about our business studies trips to London here

Christmas Market

Christmas Market

For a wonderfully festive experience visit the German-style Christmas markets overlooked by the London Eye, your pupils can find unusual presents at the wooden chalets, enjoy traditional music, and take a carousel ride.

Learn more about our Christmas market trips to London here

Cultural & Transition Year

Cultural & Transition Year

An exciting London tour offers students the opportunity to cover many aspects of their curriculum in a short space of time.

Learn more about our cultural & transition year trips to London here

Primary

Primary

One of our most popular options for primary school classes, we’ve worked with hundreds of teachers over the year looking to plan the perfect trip to London for their primary school pupils.

Learn more about our primary trips to London here

Science

Science

This exciting destination offers pupils the opportunity to explore a range of science themes at a number of intriguing visits and hands-on workshops, whilst also enjoying a big city experience.

Learn more about our science trips to London here

Theatre

Theatre

If you’re looking for a well-rounded theatre and drama trip your class that includes stage performances and interactive workshops, we have a range of great options to suit your needs.

Learn more about our theatre trips to London here

Theme Park

Theme Park

An exciting London tour offers students the opportunity to cover many aspects of their curriculum in a short space of time. 

Learn more about our theme park trips to London here


London trip highlights – our groups love...

Highlights of London Blue Badge guided coach tour

Highlights of London Blue Badge guided coach tour

See the major sights of the city.

West End shows and workshops

West End shows and workshops

Be wowed at the theatre then take a show-related workshop.

Coca-Cola London Eye

Coca-Cola London Eye

Spot famed landmarks and take in the 30-mile panoramic view.

Thames River Cruise

Thames River Cruise

Learn about the many layers of history that have built up along the river.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

The Making of Harry Potter - Go behind-the-scenes.

Science Museum

Science Museum

Awe-inspiring galleries, interactive resources and inspirational exhibitions.

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

Discover the amazing diversity of life that has evolved on our planet.

Art galleries

Art galleries

Appreciate works of art, both old and new, at the fantastic galleries on offer in the city.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London

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

Imperial War Museum

Imperial War Museum

Discover groundbreaking new WWI galleries and more!

London school trip experts

Hundreds of students travel with NST to London every year, and members of our team regularly visit to London to really get to know the ins-and-outs of the area, from logistics and visits to our range of student-friendly accommodation. Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their knowledge of London to create an itinerary that’s tailor-made, perfectly timed and meets your exact school travel needs. They’ll be able to share their first-hand experience, suggest options you might not have considered and give you insight into the feedback other teachers have given us too.

Planning your first school trip?

If you're planning your first school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process...

  • Choosing your destination
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
  • Promoting your tour in school
  • Confirming your booking
  • Tailor-make your tour
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
  • Quick reference timeline
  • Pre-tour checklist

Additional support, resources & information

Tour planning service

Tour planning service

With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you: 

  • Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly 
  • Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings 
  • Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals 

 

You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.

Free school trip promotion pack

Free school trip promotion pack

We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of: 

  • Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete A3 posters to promote your trip around school 
  • PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs 
  • Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip 

Risk assessment support including preview visits

Risk assessment support including preview visit

Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.

Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip.

Planning first school trip

Planning first school trip

Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process. 

If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way. 

Our helpful guide covers the following: 

  • Choosing your destination 
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head 
  • Promoting your tour in school 
  • Confirming your booking 
  • Tailor-make your tour 
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment) 
  • Quick reference timeline 
  • Pre-tour checklist 

 

View our essential guide to a successful school trip here

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track. 

With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.

Watch our short Locate My Trip video here

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - designed to help busy teachers like you. 

With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too. 

What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go. 

Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here

Free classroom resources

Free classroom resources

We've created a range of free geography resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!

Take a look at our downloadable posters here

Why choose NST...

Here's why hundreds of teachers choose NST each year...

  • Unrivalled knowledge

Your dedicated tour co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise of London to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.

  • Making it easier for you

With our online school trip organiser, travel app, free classroom posters to support in-school promotion.

  • FREE group leader inspection visits

We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning. 

  • Value for money

We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.

 

  • More than 20 years’ experience

With over 20 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.

  • Risk assessment guidance

Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip. 

  • Peace of mind

Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.

  • Offsetting carbon emissions

For every trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions. 

Looking for protection on your next school trip? 

Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.

Financial protection from the moment you book

NST are fully bonded & licensed:

  • ABTA
  • ATOL
  • IATA
  • Commission for Aviation Regulation

 

Managing safety on school trips

For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:

  • 24-hour emergency cover
  • Audited accommodation & transport
  • Excursions & school visit assessment
  • Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning

Package Travel Regulations 2018

Don't forget - if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial. 

We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured

For groups travelling from Northern Ireland... the Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.

Learn more here