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History School Trips

Bring history to life with NST; we offer a range of school history trips to inspire a deeper interest in history for primary and secondary school students. We can tailor your trip to the historical period your students are learning about.

What to expect from a school history trip?

Discover history like never before with NST's captivating school history trips. Our carefully crafted itineraries cover a wide spectrum of historical periods, from the poignant battlefields of World War I to the awe-inspiring wonders of ancient civilizations. 
Step into the intricate web of modern history, witnessing the rise and fall of empires that shaped the world we know today. At NST Group, we believe in making history come alive for students by immersing them in the very places where it unfolded. Our dedicated team works closely with you to create personalized trips that seamlessly blend educational goals with must-see historical sites. With NST, students embark on an unforgettable journey through time, gaining profound insights and a deeper appreciation of human history.

Our history school trips highlights include...

We offer a fantastic array of school history trips across the UK overseas. Here are some of the history trip highlights teachers and students love:

  • The Tower of London 
  • Edinburgh Castle 
  • An exclusive guided walking tour of the former Jewish District in Amsterdam 
  • Berlin Wall
  • A visit to Tiananmen Square, Mao's Memorial Hall & the Forbidden City in Beijing 
  • Kenilworth Castle
  • The Colosseum

There are also many more exciting historical sites you and your pupils can explore in the UK and further afield. Check out our full range of history school trip destinations below - we have so many exciting destinations to choose from. 

Why book school history trips with NST?

Our team will put together an immersive history itinerary to provide school trips History students will love, injecting excitement into the curriculum. Your students can broaden their knowledge of WWI, WWII, the Tudors and many other historical periods.

For example, if you're teaching Medicine and Surgery on the Western Front, your history pupils can take a tour following the evacuation journey a casualty would have taken. They'll consider the effect of both the scientific and organisational developments of the war.

Our history school trips provide the perfect backdrop for students to learn about the impact on the battlefield and on the wider course of medical history. We can even recommend destinations that perfectly encapsulate historical periods. For example, if you book a history school trip to Berlin, your pupils can learn the history of the Cold War, the Holocaust, and the Nazi dictatorship. Discover our range of educational trips today.

Our most popular school history trips

London

London

With the curriculum changes placing greater emphasis on the history of Britain and its place in global history, London provides an ideal location for a history school trip.

Learn more about our history trips to London here

Day Trips to London

Day Trips to London

Day trips for history students toLondon are a great option for groups on a budget. There are a huge number of museums, galleries and national collections that have tailor-made programmes designed to suit your syllabus requirements. 

Learn more about our history day trips to London here

Bristol

Bristol

Bristol provides a budget-friendly and immersive experience for your history students.  For groups studying the case study ‘Bristol in the mid-twentieth century: the experiences of migrants and their impact on society’ from the Migrants in Britain option for Pearson-Edexcel GCSE History, we can arrange a trip to this great destination and create an itinerary to focus on your history studies.

Learn more about our history trips to Bristol here

Edinburgh 

Edinburgh

For groups studying The Elizabethans as part of their History GCSE, Edinburgh is a great destination to learn more about Mary Queen of Scots and her relationship with Queen Elizabeth.

Learn more about our history trips to Edinburgh here

Stratford-Upon-Avon

 

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Explore the historic world that shaped Shakespeare’s life and discover more about the Tudor Era with a range of educational visits, including visits to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and an RSC Production, on an NST History school tour.

Learn more about our history trips to Stratford here

York

York

A history school trip to York will improve your students’ knowledge of, and interest in, England’s heritage. Visit York Minister, the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe, stroll down the Shambles, York’s oldest street and finish the day with a ghost walk in Europe’s most haunted city! 

Learn more about our history trips to York here.

WW1 - Suffolk 

WW1 Suffolk

For school groups studying the First World War, we have joined up with Great War Huts in Suffolk to offer a UK experience to enable students to learn more about this period of history and enrich their knowledge.  This experience provides an excellent alternative to the school tours to the First World War battlefields of Belgium and France.

Learn more about our First World War UK history trips here

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

A school trip to Amsterdam, allows history groups to explore all aspects of Jewish life and culture prior to WWII through a series of well-preserved sites and excellent museums.

Learn more about our history trips to Amsterdam here

Berlin - Impact of the Cold War

Berlin - Impact of the Cold War

The recent history of Germany’s capital is still clearly evident today, to the extent that it is impossible to walk through the city without being continually made aware of its recent past. During a history school trip to Berlin, your group will see for themselves the breathtaking pace and breadth of change since 1989.

Learn more about our Cold War history trips to Berlin here

Berlin - Germany 1918 to 1945

Berlin - Germany 1918 to 1945

During a history school trip to Berlin, our experienced guides can provide an introductory talk on the history and diversity of what was the largest Jewish community in Germany and to the background and tragic events of the Final Solution.

Learn more about our Germany 1918 to 1945 trips to Berlin here

China

China

On an NST school trip to China, there is an opportunity to gain an insight into a culture and society radically different from our own through a range of unforgettable educational visits.

Learn more about our history trips to China here

Dublin

Dublin

A school trip to Dublin can vividly bring history to life with visits to many of the locations associated with the growth of Irish nationalism from the late 18th century onwards, to the creation of the Irish Free State.

Learn more about our history trips to Dublin here

Gdansk

Gdansk

For groups studying the OCR GCSE depth study ‘Poland 1956-1990: The People and the State’, Gdansk provides an ideal destination.

Learn more about our history trips to Gdansk here

Krakow

Krakow

A history school trip to Krakow will provide an in-depth study of the Jewish community in the city, one of the most important centres of Jewish life in pre-war Europe.

Learn more about our history trips to Krakow here

Munich & Nuremberg

Munich & Nuremberg

Your pupils will gain an in-depth understanding of the Rise of Nazism through visits within Munich and Nuremberg. 

Learn more about our history trips to Munich & Nuremburg here

Northern France & Belgium

Northern France & Belgium

Covering the period from the outbreak of war until liberation, your tour will concentrate on the events of 1940 and 1944, giving your pupils a fascinating insight into the impact of the war. 

Learn more about our history trips to Northern France & Belgium here

New York

New York

New York is a great place for your pupils to learn firsthand about Civil Rights to explore the origins of this movement and its effects throughout American history.

Learn more about our history trips to New York here

New York & Washington DC

New York & Washington DC

Travel to the East Coast of America and explore the origins of the Civil Rights movement and learn more about American political history.

Learn more about our history trips to New York & Washington DC here

Normandy

Normandy

This popular history tip and tour of Normandy seeks to bring to life the events of June and July 1944.

Learn more about our history trips to Normandy here

Paris

Paris

Paris, birthplace of the Revolution and the Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen, is an ideal place to discover the origins of the modern nation state.

Learn more about our history trips to Paris here

Rome

Rome

A visit to Rome allows students studying Italian Fascism to get a sense of how Mussolini aimed to make Fascism appear modern and powerful whilst simultaneously linking his regime to the ancient glories of the Roman Empire.

Learn more about our history trips to Rome here

WWI Battlefields Trips

WWI Battlefields Trips

Our established WWI battlefields tours programme covers the events of WWI in the Ypres Salient and Somme regions, enabling your pupils to learn from a wealth of important historical sites and excursions.

Learn more about our WWI battlefields tours programme here

St Petersburg

St Petersburg

The grandeur of St Petersburg gives a vivid insight into Russian society on the eve of revolution and its canals, squares and buildings were the backdrop against which the events of the revolutions of 1905 and 1917 were played out.

 

Vienna

Vienna

A school history trip to Vienna allows students to experience the capital of a huge Empire to a small troubled nation state, from its Nazi past to its role in the Cold War, Vienna bears witness to many major 20th century history themes.

Learn more about our history trips to Vienna here

Washington DC

Washington DC

The US capital city is home to many excellent museums, educational visits and sites to give your pupils an invaluable insight into American history and how the country has evolved. 

Learn more about our history trips to Washington DC here

WWI Battlefields Day Trips

WWI Battlefields Day Trips

Our First World War battlefields history day trip is a great option for groups on a budget. Covering Ypres Salient and the Somme, our established First World War battlefields tour programme enables pupils to learn from a wealth of historical sites.

Learn more about our WWI battlefields day trips here

 

WWI Medicine & Surgery on the Western Front

WWI Medicine & Surgery on the Western Front

Our 3-day, fully-guided tour to the First World War Battlefields really can enhance the teaching and learning process for Pearson Edexcel’s GCSE History - Option 11: The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches – and that’s not just our view, our itinerary has been formally endorsed by the exam board itself.

Learn more about our Medicine & Surgery on the Western Front tours here


Our most popular school history trip topics

Our most popular school history trip topics

WWI Battlefields

Take one of our history trips to The Ypres Salient and Somme regions which provide a brilliant but tragic reminder of the impact of war.

Students will have the opportunity to learn more about different aspects of the war, including medicine and life on the front line.

Browse our WWI Battlefields trips.

WWI Medicine & Surgery on the Western Front

Our 3-day school history trips with a History Subject Expert to the First World War Battlefields really can enhance the teaching and learning process. Specifically, Pearson Edexcel’s GCSE History - Option 11: The British sector of the Western Front and 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches. Our itinerary has been formally endorsed by the Edexcel exam board itself, which makes it a perfect school history trip.

Browse our WWI medicine and surgery on the Western Front trips.

Berlin: Impact of the Cold War

At the centre of landmark historical events in the 20th Century, Berlin is a popular trip for teachers looking to provide students with a learning experience that complements their studies on the World Wars, Nazi Germany, and the Cold War.

Browse our history school trips to Berlin.

 

Germany 1918 to 1945

Berlin is a historic reminder of its recent past. Our Berlin history school trips will give students an insight into the largest Jewish community in Germany and the tragic events of the Final Solution.

Browse our Germany 1918 to 1945 history trips.

Take a look at one of our student adventures...

School history trip experts for every tour

Take one of our History Subject Experts with you on your next history school trip. We have a range of history Subject Experts available in many of our destinations across different historical periods. Our team covers a wide range of subjects, including:

  • World War I & II
  • The Holocaust
  • The Cold War
  • 20th Century
  • Ireland
  • Ancient History 
  • Modern History 
  • The Industrial Revolution.

Our Subject Experts are former teachers with detailed knowledge of the current history curriculum. They are selected to meet your exact tour requirements, helping your group to get even more from their time outside the classroom. Making them the perfect companion for any of our school history trips.

Planning your first school trip?

If you're planning your first history 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
  • Parents’ leaflets covering how NST manage safety, financial protection and details of our travel insurance
  • Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip


For selected destinations, we’ll provide a trip launch web page using video footage and imagery. This web page is provided by a weblink and can be shared with pupils and parents in many ways.

Risk assessment support including preview visits

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 resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom! 

Take a look at our downloadable posters here

Speak to one of our school travel experts

Our team of school travel experts have unrivalled destination knowledge and experience so they can help to bring your tour ideas to life and might even suggest options you hadn’t already thought of too! So get in touch today and we'll help to create a bespoke, budget-friendly tour itinerary to meet your specific learning requirements.

Why choose NST...

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

  • Unrivalled knowledge

Your dedicated history tour co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise 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 and trip launch resources to support your 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.

  • Aligned to current study themes

All of our History trips are aligned with the current GCSE and A-level curriculums. 

  • More than 50 years’ experience

With over 50 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.

  • Support from our History Subject Experts

Our history subject experts have a strong background in teaching. They are highly experienced and passionate former teachers who aim to deliver detailed background information on all key sites and study topics.

  • 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.  

 

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. 

 

Financial protection from the moment you book

NST are fully bonded:

  • ABTA
  • ATOL
  • IATA

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

We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured

The Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.

Students are safe on school history trips

There is no need to worry when you book a history school trip with NST. With our safety management system you have 24-hour emergency cover on all of your trips in case anything goes wrong giving you peace of mind.