Exploring Royal history in Europe: 6 school trips to royal palaces and castles
Over the last 1,300 years, the traditions of monarchy in Europe have had a tremendous impact on the region's culture, art, and society, forming and shaping the region as we know it today. While monarchies may no longer be the dominant form of government across the continent, the influence of royals is still very much felt. This is particularly true in countries that have retained their monarchies, or where the remarkable palaces and castles of previous monarchies stand tall in their respective cities.
Visiting these immense buildings can reap a bounty of learning experiences for your students on a school trip. Whether it’s to improve their knowledge about particular monarchs and events in history (KS2 & KS3), or better understand a monarchy’s role in politics (KS3 & KS4), adding a castle or a palace visit to your school trip offers unique context to your group’s learning they won’t find in the classroom.
In this blog, we explore six school trip ideas to royal palaces and castles, to help your students increase their comprehension of monarchies in Europe, and their undeniable impact.
School trips to Coudenberg Palace, Brussels, Belgium
Dating back to the 12th century, Coudenberg Palace is a popular excursion for our school trips to Brussels who want to immerse themselves in the city’s history. Though the site is reduced to ruins today, the palace’s underground tunnels and chambers are open to schools and the public, and offer a glimpse into the lives of Belgian royals and Charles V, King of Spain, Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria.
While visiting Belgium’s capital on your royal palace school trip, you may also wish to visit the city’s BELvue Museum and European Parliament. Both of these sites allow students to explore the role of the European Union in international politics, and will offer your group the opportunity to observe the influence of the city through different moments in time.
Read more about our history school trips to Brussels, Belgium and Coudenberg Palace
School trips to Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France
Once the home of the last monarchs of France, Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette, and the site of the signing of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, the opulent Palace of Versailles is a symbol of several key moments in French history and an excellent place to visit for a school trip.
We’ve seen numerous school groups mesmerised by the wonders of the Palais de Versailles, as they delve into more than 400 years of history through the palace’s extravagant rooms and expansive gardens. We recommend combining your visit to the Palace of Versailles with a trip to La Conciergerie in Paris, where Marie Antoinette was detained during the French Revolution, to grant your students a broad perspective of the fall of the monarchy in France.
Read more about our history school trips to Paris and the Palace of Versailles
Read more about our French language school trips to Paris and the Palace of Versailles
School trips to Royal Palace of Caserta, Caserta, Italy
As we continue our exploration of European royal traditions, we can’t miss a mention of the Royal Palace of Caserta in Italy, located just outside of Naples. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was commissioned in the 18th century by Charles of Bourbon (later King Charles III of Spain), who sought to rival the grandeur of Versailles during his reign as King of Naples and Sicily.
The largest palace built in Europe in the 1700s, the Royal Palace of Caserta offers student groups first-class learning opportunities about Italy’s prominence and power across over 1,200 rooms, each exuding the signature Baroque style of the era.
Coincidentally, it’s also during the reign of Charles of Bourbon that the Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii were re-discovered and later excavated, making a visit to the Royal Palace of Caserta a natural add-on to our classics school trips to Sorrento.
Read more about our classics school trips to Sorrento, and the Royal Palace of Caserta
School trips to Royal Palace of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
The Royal Palace of Madrid has been the official residence of the Spanish monarchy since the 16th century. Boasting over 3,400 rooms, this remarkable building is the largest royal palace in Europe, and explores the history of the site from its relevance during the Islamic Empire to its royal status of the present day.
The palace is located in the central district of Madrid, close to the spectacular Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol – both historically significant attractions we recommend for any Spanish language school trips to Madrid. A 25-minute walk from the palace you’ll also find Madrid’s ‘Golden Triangle’ of art galleries – the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum – all galleries we recommend to art students owing to their extensive collections of works by the likes of Rubens, Bosch, Goya and Velázquez.
School trips to Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland
Though founded as a monastery in the 12th century, Holyrood Palace has been the principal royal residence in Scotland since the 1500s. While on a school trip to this royal palace, your students can explore historic apartments and enjoy viewing artworks from the Royal Collection in the Great Gallery, which features portraits of Scottish monarchs through the ages.
A history school trip to Holyrood Palace offers emerging historians a new respect and understanding of Edinburgh’s monarchic history, and how the kings and queens of the country helped shape the city – and kingdom – as we know it today. In this magnificent city, students can learn about medieval society and King David I, the turbulent relationship between Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I, and then the monarchy of the present day.
Read more about our history school trips to Edinburgh
School trips to the royal palaces of London, England
One of the most geographically relevant (and accessible!) destinations for your students, London is home to several historic palaces that hold a significant place in British monarchy history. These sites attract more than 5 million visitors a year, making them ideal excursions for travel & tourism groups, as well as history classes.
School trips to Buckingham Palace, London, England
The official London residence of the British monarchy since 1837, Buckingham Palace is a 775-room lavish mansion located where St James’ Park and Green Park meet. Though the palace’s 19 opulent state rooms are only open for visitors from mid-July to September, a visit is deserved for the Changing of the Guard alone, the captivating 45-minute ceremony culminating in a performance from a full military band.
School trips to Kensington Palace, London, England
The birthplace of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace has been the official residence of a great number members of the British royal family over time, and is now the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. A must-visit for any school group seeking to learn about royal history, Kensington Palace offers students the opportunity to explore the State Apartments, learn more about Queen Victoria’s childhood, and walk in the footsteps of royalty in the palace’s extravagant gardens.
School trips to Hampton Court Palace, London, England
England’s largest and most extravagant Tudor structure, Hampton Court Palace is the perfect place to teach your students more about the worlds of Henry VIII and the House of Tudor. The palace’s location on the River Thames further highlights its grandeur, while its extravagant gardens hold numerous activities – including a 300-year-old hedge maze that’s a real hit with all of our groups.
Read more about our travel and tourism school trips to London
Immerse yourselves in the grandeur of European royalty
Monarchies have left an indelible mark on European history, influencing political structures, art, architecture, and cultural heritage. All our school trips listed above offer students the opportunity to learn about the role of monarchs in shaping the cultures and societies of their respective countries, allowing you to achieve many Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 objectives.
To find out more about our history school trips to London and Europe, or enquire further about palace and castle excursions, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.
