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London Cultural School Trips & Tours

An exciting London cultural tour offers pupils the opportunity to cover many aspects of their curriculum in a short space of time. Almost 600 groups travel to London with NST every year.

By choosing NST, you’ll receive valuable advice and expertise on hundreds of visits, as well as excellent prices at top attractions, West End shows and pupil-friendly accommodation.

Prices start from£199pp

Price Shown includes

  • 1 night's B&B accommodation
  • Executive coach transport from & to school & throughout your stay
  • Group travel insurance
  • 1 in 8 free place ratio

Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers departing 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

Accommodation

Popular options in London


Top visits

Highlights of London Blue Badge Guided Tour

See the major sights of the city. An expert Blue Badge Guide will join you on your coach and bring the Capital to life for your group. Sights may include Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.

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.

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.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

Step on to authentic sets, discover the magic behind spellbinding special effects and explore the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter film series. Tread the original stone floor of the iconic Hogwarts Great Hall, encounter animatronic creatures and wander down Diagon Alley. Your Harry Potter World school trip is located at the Studios where all 8 films were produced.

45 minute workshops are also available, covering Art and Design, Business Studies, English and Drama, Film and Media and STEM subjects, as well as Primary.

 

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.

 

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.

Stage School Theatre Workshop – Stage Combat

Your group will learn about the relationship between acting and fight choreography. Discover how fights are choreographed and hone your collaboration skills whilst creating your own combat.

Stage School Workshops are delivered by qualified teaching artists (so you can get involved too) and can be tailored to your chosen show, as well as your curriculum requirements.

Stage School Theatre Workshop – West End 101

A popular and versatile interactive workshop designed to enhance the participants’ night in the West End. In a fun and relaxed environment, students are taught skills and techniques used by professional actors inspired by the themes of the show they see. 

Stage School Workshops are delivered by qualified teaching artists (so you can get involved too) and can be tailored to your chosen show, as well as your curriculum requirements.

Wicked

Wicked tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz. The spectacular production and incredible story inspires discussion about propaganda, tolerance, bullying and friendship. 

On show at: The Apollo Victoria Theatre 
Times: Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 7.30pm, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.30pm 
Running time: 2hrs 45mins 
School prices available: Tuesday - Thursday evenings, Wednesday matinees.

Educational packs and workshops available. For more information on the show's educational programme, for more information please contact us.

Stranger Things

Brand New for 2024 from the much loved Netflix TV series.

BEFORE THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN…
Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
Brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, who take theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension, this gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.

Show at: Phoenix Theatre
Times: Tuesday - Saturday 7pm, Friday & Saturday Matinees 1pm & Sunday 3pm
Running time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval
Age Recommendation: 12 and over.
School prices available: Tuesday - Thursday evening and Friday matinee

HadesTown

HADESTOWN takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.


Show at  Lyric Theatre 
Times  Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm Sunday 3pm Matinee Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm
Running time  2hrs 25 mins
School prices available  Tuesday – Thursday evenings and matinee Thursday and Saturday

 

My Neighbour Totoro

A landmark new adaption of Studio Ghibli's classic coming-of-age film, My Neighbour Totoro explores the magical world of childhood and the power of imagination. The story follows an extraordinary summer in the lives of two sisters as they are transported to a long-forgotten realm of sprite, spirits and natural wonder. A must-see for anime fans!

On show at: Barbican Theatre
Times: 21st November 2023 - 23rd March 2024. Evening performances Monday - Saturday at 7pm. Matinee performances Thursday & Saturday at 2pm.
Running time: To be confirmed.
 

V&A Museum

The world’s largest collection of decorative and applied arts. Some areas focus on the history of costume and are of particular interest to pupils studying textiles. The holdings of ceramics, glass, costumes, jewellery, furniture, sculpture, prints and photographs are among the largest and most comprehensive in the world.

Art Galleries

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

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 on their school trip to Tower of London. 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

After a major redevelopment, the museum features groundbreaking WWI Galleries which will present the story - how it started, why it continued and its global impact - through the lives of those who experienced it on both the front line and the home front. The Witness to War atrium displays iconic larger objects including a Harrier, Spitfire and V2 rocket suspended from above.

The Royal Courts of Justice - Court In Session

Suitable for KS3-5, this exciting visit to the historic Royal Courts of Justice will have your group talking for weeks! You can choose from a wide range of quality learning experiences. 

This two-hour session takes place in a working court room and around the courts. 

Students will:

  • Be introduced to the Royal Courts of Justice and what happens there
  • Prepare and enact a trial based on an ex-offender’s experiences
  • Explore roles in a court room and meet a legal professional where possible
  • Discuss and debate real sentencing options

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Discover firsthand the historical context of Whitechapel in the late 19th century as well as in-depth historical knowledge on Jack the Ripper.

This informative evening activity led by expert guides provides an insight into the crimes including what they reveal about the history and social conditions in the East End of London at the time. The site is also near Cable Street so the study visit can include work on 20th century protest.

London Dungeons

The London Dungeon has been delighting audiences for over 40 years and brings together an amazing cast of theatrical actors, special effects, scenes and rides in an exciting walk-through experience that lets you see, hear and smell historic London and its perilous past. Get pupils thinking about spoken language and stage directions as they review script writing and explore the physical creation of a show as they look at the design process, including room layout, make-up and costume design and highlight the importance of historical accuracy in relation to topic, characters and set design. 

St Paul’s Cathedral - themed tours

At St Paul’s Cathedral, students can study an iconic Christian place of worship and learn about the beliefs and practices of the Church of England through a number of themed tours suitable for KS3-KS5, including: The World of Worship, The Bible: Is it Relevant in Today’s World?, The Big Issues, ‘Jesus’ Fact or Fiction for Today’s Society and Christianity Through Art & Design. General guided tours suitable for different age groups can also be provided.

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!

Disney's The Lion King Education Workshops

Everyone from beginners to professionals can experience the thrill of the West End through these hands-on explorations of theatrical performances that are led by expert Disney teaching artists. Options include: 

Spotlight on Acting - ages 9 +

Spotlight on Movement & Music - ages 7 +

Spotlight on Singing - ages 12 +

Spotlight on Dancing - ages 14 +

 

 

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.

Harry Potter London Walking Tour

Take a Harry Potter Walking Tour into the magical world of wizardry in London! Learn about London’s rich muggle and wizarding history, amazing facts about the books and films and see many of the Harry Potter film locations used in London, including the Ministry of Magic and the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. The tour features familiar Harry Potter film locations as well as iconic London landmarks and attractions including St Paul’s Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, Borough and Leadenhall Markets and Monument.

London Film Locations Walking Tour

This guided London film locations walking tour is action-packed with sites from Comic Book movies. You will follow on screen heroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Jack Ryan and the Thunderbirds as they fight to protect London and defeat the forces of evil.  You’ll see how London has been used by movie makers from all over the world to represent both the British capital – home to on screen heroes such as James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, but can also stand in for numerous other locations from across the globe including St Petersburg, Switzerland and even Gotham City!

Wicked Workshop

Official Wicked Workshops offer a programme of engaging sessions that offer outstanding,unique experiences and are tailored to meet the needs of your group.
Choose from: 

  • The Official Wicked Wellbeing Workshop, exploring practical and meaningful ways to enhance our physical and mental wellbeing.

 

  • The Official Wicked Anti-Bullying Workshop, developed in partnership with the Anti-Bullying Alliance, challenging us all to look beyond first impressions.

 

  • The Official Wicked Musical Theatre Workshop, a multi-layered workshop focusing on storytelling for musical theatre.

 

Creative Media Skills Institute Workshops

A specialised workshop at the Creative Media Skills Institute is a great way to introduce your group to a number of techniques and applications used in the media industry.

Choose from: Costume Breakdown, Drafting, FX Makeup, Prosthetics Makeup, Period Hair Styling, Intro into Film Directing, Intro into Set Dressing and Props Making.

Based in the heart of Pinewood Studios and surrounded by its original three stages, CMSI bring existing and working film crew directly off the set to lead their courses. After coming through studio security students will walk down Goldfinger Avenue and past the iconic 007 stage to reach the state of the art CMSI studio. Students will be introduced to Pinewood Studios, the media industry as a whole and will hear what working in the industry is really like and the many career opportunities available. Each workshop is run by an instructor who is a specialist in their field and includes a live demo and a practical session.

ClueQuest - The Live Escape Room

The escape rooms at clueQuest provide an array of unique, cooperative and intuitive logic-based tasks. These are designed to ensure that no prior knowledge is required, making them perfect for all age groups. Which are nonetheless challenging and therefore make for a rewarding work-out of the following crucial soft-skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, attitude and leadership.

Shakespeare’s Globe Guided Tour and Experience

Open all year round, the Globe guided tour gives you an opportunity to learn more about this unique building and its most famous playwright, Shakespeare. 

The new Globe Experience combines an interactive look at theatre-craft, the unique story of Shakespeare's Globe. Discover how the magic of stories are brought to life in a newly interpreted space beneath Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre! With help from experts, you’ll immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare’s storytelling, from the creation of his works to the way they are interpreted today. Explore how different elements of stagecraft are combined to bring these stories to life in the beautiful and unique ‘Wooden O’ and candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

Tate Modern

Britain’s spectacular museum of modern and contemporary international art. Themes include landscapes, environment, still life, action, and the body. The viewing level offers awe-inspiring 360ᵒ views of the London skyline from high above the River Thames, whilst The Tanks celebrate new art and showcase performances, interactive art and video installations.

National Gallery

An outstanding collection of Old Masters from the early Renaissance to 1900. A collection of Old Masters’ works from the early Renaissance onwards. The five floors and wings are arranged chronologically, making it easy for your pupils to track artistic progression. Examples include Giotto, Duccio, and many more.

If you're visiting the National Gallery this year, celebrate the museum's bicentenary with NG200 - a year-long festival bursting with art, creativity and imagination.

National Theatre Backstage Tour

On our London theatre trips for schools, you students will get the opportunity to go backstage at Britain’s largest theatre complex to discover the secrets behind bringing productions to the stage. Your group will get exclusive access to unseen parts of the building, including the workshops where sets and props are created, on a tour led by an experienced and enthusiastic guide.

Wembley Stadium Tour

Soak up the history of one of the world's most iconic venues during this 90-minute tour. Take your picture in Europe's largest press conference room, find the shirt of your favourite England player in the dressing rooms, and line up in the players tunnel before following in the footsteps of legends and walking out pitch-side.

Educational workshops are also available for English, History, P.E. and Business Studies / Travel and Tourism - following the national curriculum and exam board specifications and suitable for Key Stages 2-5. Term time only.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour

Step behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on this immersive, self-guided experience and learn about how the stadium has been designed to create one of the best matchday experiences in the world. Gain exclusive access to First Team areas, as well as the custom-designed NFL facilities. Gain an insight into how the players prepare on a matchday and follow their journey by walking out of the first-team changing rooms, through the tunnel, and into the dugouts - you can almost hear the crowd!

Horizon 22

Horizon 22 is London's highest free viewing platform. Located on Level 58, the viewing platform offers 300-degree views of London, showcasing its most iconic landmarks.

The Twist Museum

Take your pupils on an exciting educational journey through interactive exhibits that provide the perfect backdrop for cross-curricular learning. For Primary groups there are exhibits linking to specific learning objectives for Science, English, Art and PSHE, you can also complete ‘Twist Challenges’ to further enhance your visit. 

The museum is made up of a series of interconnected zones devoted to the contemplation of how we see things. Through a combination of science and art, the museum hopes to bring people together, challenging them and encouraging them to discuss and reflect on the ways in which we all perceive the world differently.

Macbeth

A visceral and contemporary new production that speaks to a world we find ourselves living in now, asking why has Macbeth haunted our fears and nightmares for centuries, and what lesson this cautionary tale is still urgently trying to communicate to us? 

Dates: 28th February - 29th March 2025

Show at: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Times: Monday - Wednesday 7.30pm, Matinees Wednesday 1.30pm & Saturday 2.30pm
Running time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval
Age Recommendation: 14 and over.
School prices available: Monday - Wednesday evening

Content guidance: Murder, Infanticide, inference of child loss, stage blood, and violence against women.

This production contains strobe lighting and other strong lighting effects, as well as loud noises.

Shakespeare Walking Tours

Venturing out onto the streets of Bankside, expert Guides bring to life thrilling stories of the area around Shakespeare’s Globe including Thameside ferrymen, gruesome animal-baiting sports, and the rise of one of Elizabethan London’s original playhouses, The Rose, where it is believed that some of Shakespeare’s earliest plays were first performed

Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Educational Tour

Immerse your students in the magic of the stage with Educational Tours at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London! Guided tours offer an exclusive look at the birthplace of the musical, modern pantomime and moving scenery in the oldest theatre on the same site in the world. Engage your students with an interactive tour led by expert actors. 

 


Activities & enrichment week trip ideas

STEM Week

Your pupils will have a week of learning about science, technology, engineering, and maths!

With many intriguing visits and hands-on workshops, this four-day trip to London will be both practical and fun.

• Visit the ArcelorMittal Orbit based in the grounds of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

• Spend a full day in the Science Museum:

The Interactive gallery

‘Engineer your future’ presents a series of interactive experiences based on key engineering skills used by real-life engineers.

The object gallery

‘Tomorrow’s World’ presents topical science and technology stories, from the most surprising, the biggest breakthroughs, to the headline-grabbing gadgets. Using displays and touch-screen interactives, gain insights into:

• Advances in modern science and technology.

• The way scientists work.

• Social and ethical implications of scientific and technological developments.

• Take part in a web development workshop.

• Have a fun afternoon in Madame Tussauds.

• See the city sights on a cruise up the River Thames.

• Take a ride on the Lastminute.com London Eye.

Photography Week

Take your budding photographers out for a fun-filled four days in London, experiencing different types of shots.

Combine this with one-day back at school with a lesson on photo manipulation, followed by a presentation from your pupils of their pictures and what they’ve learnt during the week.

• Visit the Photography Centre at the Victoria & Albert Museum - The V&A has been collecting photographs since 1856, and it was one of the first museums to present photography exhibitions. The museum has now added the Royal Photographic Society collection to its holdings, which contains around 270,000 photographs, an extensive library, and 6,000 cameras and pieces of equipment associated with leading artists and photographic pioneers.

• Take part in a Lion King workshop with expert Disney Teaching Artists, perfect for your pupils to take some fun action shots of each other.

• Take a ride on the London Eye and practise cityscape and panoramic photography followed by a walking tour of London, capturing the urban environment - you never know what or who you’re going to come across on the streets of London, from street performers and street art to architectural landmarks and a plethora of impeccably designed buildings.

Task your pupils with colour and black and white imagery.

• See the city sights on a cruise up the River Thames.

• Spend some free time shopping in Covent Garden.

Theatre Week

Unlock your pupils’ inner thespian by taking them on an exciting trip through the world of theatre with four days in London – combine this with a day of in-school activity such as writing and performing their own small-scale show!

• Watch a West End Show of your choice.

• Take part in two practical workshops;

We offer a range of expert-led workshops to suit your specific needs whether your focus is on theatre, performing arts, English and drama, literature and creative writing or dance.

• Take a backstage tour of The National Theatre and discover the secrets behind bringing productions to the stage. You’ll get exclusive access to unseen parts of the building, including the workshops where sets and props are created.

• Visit Shakespeare’s Globe exhibition & tour followed by a 30-minute live demonstration, options include:

• Stage Fighting

• Elizabethan Dressing

• Plus, experience a ‘stand in the yard’ outdoor evening performance

• Have a fun afternoon in Madame Tussauds.

• See the city sights on a cruise up the River Thames.

• Allow some free time shopping in Covent Garden and watch the street performers.

Film Week

• A three-hour programme at London Film Academy – workshops and seminars will cover key areas of cinematography and storyboarding.

• A hands-on practical teaching session with City Academy for a workshop in filmmaking. Instruction on storyboarding, camera, lighting, and sound.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter tour plus workshop, options include:

• Pitching

• Instructional Writing

• Script to Screen

• Costume Characterisation

• The Distressing Process

• Camera Choices

BFI Imax - Get the pop-corn out and sit back and watch a recent release on Britain’s biggest screen or, enjoy a private morning viewing from a choice from their extensive library.

London Film Locations Walking Tour - You’ll see how London has been used by movie makers from all over the world to represent both the British capital – home to on screen heroes such as James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, but can also stand in for numerous other locations from across the globe including St Petersburg, Switzerland and even Gotham City!

• Shopping time in Covent Garden.


Evening activites

  • West End Show
  • Jack the Ripper walking tour
  • Bowling
  • Imax cinema

Transport

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

Coach

Rail is a convenient travel option for small groups, ideal for connections to Eurostar, major airports and travel to many city destinations.

Train


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