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London Primary School Day Trips & Tours

Primary school day trips to London are a very popular way to give pupils an insight into city life with limited time out of the classroom. Whether you’re looking into history, geography, science, or you just want an exciting educational trip experience for your pupils, London has it all. 

Over 600 groups travel to London with NST every year. A primary school day trip to London with NST provides the opportunity to cover many aspects of your curriculum in a short space of time. We can tailor-make a primary school tour itinerary package around any subject theme. We offer excellent school tour prices at top attractions, and provide expertise and valuable advice on hundreds of primary school visits, from West End shows to HMS Belfast, the Houses of Parliament and Tower of London

 

Prices start from£79pp

Price Shown includes

  • 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 in February 2023 and is subject to availability.


On-tour support

On tour support available...

  • Pre-booked meals at great group prices
  • Pre-booked and pre-paid London Underground tickets

Top visits in London

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.

The Lion King

Disney’s award-winning musical combines dazzling staging and wildly creative costumes, masks and puppets. The result is a theatrical experience like no other, which is guaranteed to capture the imaginations of your students and to teach them about the wonderful world of live theatre. 

On show at: The Lyceum Theatre
Times: Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 7.30pm, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.30pm 
Running time: 2hrs 30mins 
School prices available: Tuesday - Thursday evenings, Wednesday matinees.

Educational packs available.

Frozen the Musical

This brand new West End musical celebrates the extraordinary story of two sisters that melted hearts across the world. 

With ground-breaking sets and special effects, incredible costumes and innovative stagecraft combine to stunning effect in this magical experience that will delight your pupils and sweep you away to the world of Arendelle with all its heart, humour and powerful storytelling.

Your favourite songs from the film combine with a brand new score from Grammy® and Academy-Award®-winning 'Let It Go' songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The set design, special effects and costumes come together in a breathtaking wonderland experience, the likes of which you've come to expect from the producers of such other Disney stage productions as The Lion King and Aladdin.

On show at: London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane 
School rate available

CLOSING - 8th September 2024

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.

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.
 

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 +

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

3D Printing Workshops

Take a 21st century approach to embedding technology learning in school, and introduce your students to the world of 3D printing where a solid object of virtually any shape can be created from a digital model. 

In our Introduction to 3D Printing workshop, students will get hands on with 3D computer modelling and see designs turned into real life on a 3D printer. All students will receive a certificate of attendance and will take away a 3D printed item too.

Other workshops include:

Understanding 2D and 3D
Create 2D and 3D shapes through designing a house in Sketchup. Look at the difference between a 2D representation of the shape and the 3D model itself. What is a plan and how would an architect use 2D and 3D shapes to represent their project?

Natural Geometries 
Create simple shapes like triangles, squares and arcs. And through learning simple ideas such as angles and rotation, turn these shapes into amazing nature-like structures such as snowflakes and shells.

For maths groups, we can also offer full day workshops at The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park combining a tour of Bletchley Park, a visit to Colossus (the first electronic computer) and a hands-on processing or 3D printing workshop.

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

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!

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.

Museum of London

Discover the history of London and its people. The Museum of London overlooks the Roman remains of the City wall and reveals the history of the capital from prehistoric and Roman times through to medieval, Tudor and 18th century expansion, and the bustling multicultural London of today. Spectacular collections, immersive spaces and interactive exhibits transport you through the capital's tumultuous past, rich with drama, triumph and near-disaster!

Tower of London

Develop an understanding on the nature of authority and attitudes to crime and punishment in the early modern period with our school trips to the 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.

Samsung Digital Discovery Centre at the British Museum

The Samsung Digital Discovery Centre offers free digital activities for schools on a school trip to the British Museum. In this newly refurbished, purpose-built learning space in the heart of the UK’s most-visited museum, pupils will use technology to explore the collection and discover the world’s history and cultures. 

Teachers can choose from a range of free school sessions. Pupils can attend a workshop in the Samsung Digital Discovery Centre or take part in a self-led activity in one of the galleries. 

Sample sessions

Achievements of the Shang Dynasty (self-led session)
Use an interactive digital trail on tablets supplied by the museum to explore objects on display from China's Shang Dynasty. Pupils will learn about the methods used to produce bronze, jade and pottery, as well as what these can tell us about life during the Shang dynasty. 

A Gift for Athena (self-led session)
Use augmented reality technology on tablets supplied by the museum to explore the Parthenon Gallery. 
Pupils will learn about ancient Greek religion and how the Parthenon's architecture celebrated Athena's greatness and communicated the power of Athens.

Greek Temples (digital session)
Learn about ancient Greek religious architecture and how it varied throughout the ancient Greek world.
Design an ancient Greek temple, calculate the cost of building materials, ensure it can be built within budget, then produce architectural designs of your proposed temples using digital technology.

Sponsored by Samsung

London Bridge Experience

The London Bridge experience is an interactive walk through experience with live actors that play characters from the past 2000 years of London bridge History. It is funny, historical and educational. This ain’t one for the faint-hearted. Relive the history of London’s murky past in this interactive experience.

Travel back in time to an age of adventure, uncovering the dark secrets that lie beneath the worlds most famous and haunted bridge. Laugh, scream and cheer your way through 2000 years of history. A multi-sensory experience, you will see, hear and smell what London Bridge was like throughout the ages.

History: Romans - KS2
The London Bridge Experience brings to life the Roman Empire which had a long and lasting impact on the landscape and culture across Britain. The Romans built the first London Bridge in about 55AD. The experience will allow you to join Queen Boudica and her Iceni Tribe to overrule Londinium.

History: Crime and Punishment and Citizenship - KS3
Walk through Crime and Punishment and the impact it had on Citizenship in Britain at London Bridge through live, immersive storytelling, told by tour guides. You will visit the Gatehouse and meet the Keeper of the Heads to learn some of the most famous heads that were displayed on London Bridge, from William Wallace, Guy Fawkes and Lizzie Barton the only women to ever have her head put on a spike. Being hung drawn and quartered was a form of execution in the 13th century for men and women found guilty of treason this is all brought to life in front of your eyes.

 

Young V&A

Get ready to spark your creativity at Young V&A – the museum where children and young people can imagine, play and design. From Summer 2023, be inspired by spaces, explore the collection and get creative.


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