london geography trip header nst

Geography School Trips & Tours to London

A UK based school trip themed around geography and sustainability is the most effective way to maximise our passion for education around environmental issues, whilst keeping our impact on the environment to a minimum. London plays host to a number of geography and sustainability based visits which highlight the importance of protecting and preserving our environment, whilst also having links to the geography curriculum. 

Pupils can consider their own impact on the world around them, investigate ways in which we as a society can make positive changes, how developers and businesses are adapting to become more socially and environmentally responsible. 

 

Prices start from£169pp

Price Shown includes

  • 1 night's B&B accommodation
  • Executive coach transport from & to school & throughout your stay
  • Extensive group travel insurance
  • Free place ratio of 1 in 8

Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers from selected departure points and is subject to availability. 


On-tour support

On-tour support includes...

  • Pre-booked meals at great group prices
  • Pre-booked and pre-paid London Underground tickets
  • A choice of packed lunches for your group throughout your stay

Accommodation

Popular options in London


Top visits for geography trips in London

The Legacy of London 2012 – Guided Olympic Site Tour

HALF & FULL DAY OPTION AVAILABLE

Come and witness the legacy of London 2012 and see the Olympic Park area following the exciting urban regeneration programme which transformed the face of East London. Your Blue Badge Guide can take you even closer to the venues, driving right next to the Velodrome, the BMX track, and the Olympic and the Paralympic Villages. The coach will travel around the edge of the Olympic Park before making a stop at the Olympic Stadium, the Aquatics Centre and the Orbit. The tour also affords fantastic views of the International Broadcast Centre and the Copper Box venue. Weather permitting, there are opportunities to get off the coach and explore.

You’ll then head to the Royal Docks to view ExCel, which hosted seven Olympic sports and five Paralympic sports. Then to Woolwich to see the magnificent facade of the Royal Artillery Barracks, the venue for shooting and for the Paralympic archery. The tour ends at Greenwich with a walk in the Park where the Equestrian events and the Modern Pentathlon had such a spectacular setting.

Tours can be tailored to a group’s specific requirements.

LondonWaste EcoPark

Students coming on a tour can see first-hand how waste and recyclables are managed at the 40 acre LondonWaste EcoPark site. Groups studying geography can incorporate what they have learnt into their study/course work. EcoPark tours are held every Wednesday and they accept students from 14 years and upwards and tours are free to students in the UK. Students are able to visit the following areas:

The Compost Centre – makes compost from food and garden waste collected from the seven north London boroughs. Once EcoPark compost is matured it
is used by farmers, allotment holders, community growing projects, schools and for compost giveaways.

The Energy Centre – produces energy from black bagged waste. Around 20% of the energy is used to power the LondonWaste EcoPark and the remaining electricity is transferred to the National Grid.

Control Room – a chance to talk to engineers about the Energy Centre.

Thames Barrier Visits & Talks

The Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. The barrier spans 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich, and it protects 125 square kilometres of central London from flooding caused by tidal surges. An Information Assistant will give your group a guided tour of the Information Centre and deliver a talk covering topics such as the history of the River Thames and the risk of flooding in London, as well as describing the environment and wildlife of the river. The talk lasts approximately an hour and a half. When visiting on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (when the centre is closed to the public) exclusive use of the conference room with refreshments and cakes is also provided.

 

Elysia Sustainable Catering

Elysia Catering are an innovative new catering project. Creating breakfasts and canapes from food waste, they have served over 28,000 people around London and to date have saved more than 9 tonnes of food waste.  

Your visit will include a 1 hour presentation and a 30 minute food tasting and demonstration. 

WWT Wetland Centre

London Wetland Centre is unique in being the first created wetland habitat to have been developed in any capital city in the world. Over five years the area has been transformed by WWT from 43 hectares of concrete reservoirs into an impressively diverse wetland reserve and visitor attraction.

Royal Observatory Greenwich

The exhibition includes time pieces, a history of the building as a working observatory, the Greenwich Meridian line, the history of time and astronomy and the giant refracting telescope.

The lastminute.com London Eye

A classroom with a moving view! Standing 135m tall on the South Bank of the River Thames, nothing says iconic like The lastminute.com London Eye.

Since 2000, this world-famous structure has taken over 75 million people on a journey into London’s skyline. Be inspired with our Skyline Workshops. At an additional cost, these enhanced in-pod experiences are delivered by our education hosts and include interactive activities and interesting facts on London's iconic skyline.

Developed in collaboration with education specialists, teachers can book either a KS2/KS3 version.

Thames River Cruise

Take in London’s best-loved sights on this enjoyable cruise. Your students will gain an insight into the many layers of history that have built up along the river, from the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge to the 'lastminute.com' London Eye.

Madame Tussauds

The world of the Media is a creative and inspiring one, where ideas combine with drama, excitement and humour to keep us entertained and engaged. A fully interactive experience, Madame Tussauds will inspire, enthuse and immerse pupils in celebrity culture and modern media as they walk among the stars!

The View from The Shard

The View from The Shard offers a unique education experience – it is the only place where students can see the entire city at once; both old and new! Two high speed kaleidoscopic lifts will transport your group to the viewing platforms on Level 69 and Level 72 where you can encourage your student’s fascination with the history of London and enjoy the unparalleled 360 degree views.

Educational visits can support learning across both the National and London Curriculum, including History, English, Maths, Geography, and Art and Design.

West End Shows

A West End show is a magical and unforgettable experience and a must for groups visiting the city! Catch a show at one of the capital's famous theatres with tickets to an array of award-winning plays and spectacular musicals, including the Lion King and Wicked! 

There are so many popular options to choose from and we can book any show for your group. Plus, our dedicated in-house theatre team and our links with the best ticket providers means we’ll be able to reserve your first choice tickets.

New London Architecture

Visit New London Architecture at The Building Centre to see their latest exhibitions and preview the future shape of the capital through the giant 3D model of central London. Students can consider the challenges in the human environment and an overview of urban patterns and processes.

Kew Gardens - 90 minute workshop

Discover the world of wonder behind the botanical collections at Kew, with over 50,000 living plants to be found across the UNESCO World Heritage site. Groups can take part in a hands on, 90 min workshop which links directly to the curriculum. Workshops are available from KS3-KS5 and include topics such as: ecosystems: deserts and rainforests, evolution and adaptation, natural resources, nutrient cycles and decomposition.

Natural History Museum

On a Natural History Museum school trip, your students can explore the natural world and discover the amazing diversity of life that has evolved on our planet. Study a range of themes including climate change, evolution and the natural environment, helping to give your students an understanding of the impact that science has on their lives.

Exploring the human biology gallery, which covers memory and how our memory functions and an insight into the human body.

Science Museum

The Science Museum is packed with awe-inspiring galleries, interactive resources and inspirational exhibitions. Your students can explore the hands-on galleries which cover a wide range of subject areas.

The museum also offers a great selection of curriculum-linked schools events and shows, and stunning 3D films in their IMAX Cinema.

Science Museum resources are also available and free to download.

New in 2022 - Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery:

Aimed at KS3 & KS4 levels, students will get to explore this gallery and get hands on with interactive exhibits which simulate job-related tasks. Students can experience what it's like to create visual effects on a film set, analyse blood samples in a lab, fix a fault on a wind turbine and plenty more.

London Aquarium

This is the place to see sea life! With over 500 species, 14 themed zones and more than 2 million litres of water, London Aquarium plays host to one of Europe’s largest collections of global marine life. Dare your pupils to do the ‘shark walk’, take part in interactive feeding sessions, watch diving displays and enjoy the touch pools.

Workshops themed round conservation are also available to really make the most of your visit.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort

When students are enjoying a lesson, it shows. It shows in their attention levels, in the effort they put in and the results they achieve. The Education Programme at Chessington World of Adventures Resort offers maximum educational value through unique and stimulating learning experiences and a focus on curriculum relevant workshops and content.

They have been accredited with the LOtC quality award badge, enabling them to help you with risk assessments, free teacher visits prior to your trip and educational resources to help you get the most out of the day. Importantly, your pupils can take part in a number of structured workshops that are linked to the National Curriculum and specific programmes of study.

ZSL London Zoo

Spend time with over 750 species at London Zoo! 

The ZSL aims to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct, to tackle the threat to wild animals and help people achieve this positive change.

Battersea Power Station

At its peak, Battersea Power Station was supplying a fifth of London's electricity. After decades of sitting derelict, it is now being redeveloped into a new destination for London. Groups will receive a presentation from a dedicated Sustainability employee who will talk about how the development is using resources responsibly and minimising our impact on climate change. Educational workshops from KS2 - A Level are available. Workshops can be tailored to the group's requirements and topics include the history of the site; it's development to what it has become today, and the plans for the future, moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy, understanding electricity, urban redevelopment and community issues.

Spitalfields & East London Migration Guided Walking Tour

Exclusive to NST

Perfect for GCSE and A level Geography groups, wishing to complement their study of place and space, processes and relationships or migration, NST are offering an exclusive guided walking tour of Spitalfields, East London with our own NST educationalist guide. The tour can also be tailored to introduce younger pupils to these themes.  

This walking tour will allow students to trace the development of the Spitalfields area as Huguenot, Irish, Jewish, Bangladeshi and Somali communities have, at different times, made this area their home. Groups will be able to see the Sandy Row Synagogue, the Jewish Soup Kitchen and a short distance away, the Cable Street Mural. 
Students will also use residential, recreational, industrial and religious buildings in the area to help them build their knowledge of life for migrants in the area. 

The famous Brick Lane, lined with long established curry houses and bagel bakeries, provide the opportunity for food tastings and relaxation as the tour reaches its conclusion.  


Evening activites

  • Ice skating
  • Bowling
  • A quiz or disco at your hotel (most hotels can provide a room for groups to use in the evenings)

 


Study themes

Human:

  • Regeneration
  • Tourism impact

Physical:

  • Land use 
  • Sport as a catalyst for urban development

Study levels

GCSE


Transport

Available from any location in the UK, our executive coaches are fitted with seatbelts, toilet facilities, air conditioning, DVD and reclining seats.

Coach


Giving you full support throughout

Before your tour

  • Your own dedicated NST contact
  • Bespoke tour itineraries
  • Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
  • Curriculum linked visit programmes
  • Great value for money - no hidden costs
  • Free group leader inspection visits
  • Risk assessment guidance
  • Safety assured, transport, accommodation and visits

Whilst you're away

  • Free educational resources
  • Group-friendly accommodation
  • Exceptional standards of coaching
  • On-tour support from our reps on the ground
  • Support & assistance from our specialists throughout your tour
  • 24/7 support just a call away
  • Extensive group travel insurance

On your return

  • Priority rebooking services
  • Rewarding your loyalty with our reward scheme
  • You say, we listen - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
  • School travel company of choice since 1967

“Our Olympic tour guide deserves a medal himself! A wealth of knowledge... we also covered some of the city and London Docklands development. Fast, furious and informative. Not a moment wasted.”
Marion Nugus, Swinton Community School