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