Politics school trips to London

Night or day, a ride on the London Eye offers spectacular panoramic views of the capital from high above the River Thames. Look out for the city’s biggest landmarks with your students – the Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey will all be visible, alongside the city’s more modern skyscrapers.

The Clink Prison Museum is built upon the original site of the historic Clink Prison, which dates back to 1144 and is one of England’s oldest prisons. During your visit to this fascinating museum, students will experience a hands-on educational experience, allowing them to handle original artifacts (such as torture devices), and hear the amazing stories of the prison’s inmates.

A popular activity among our school groups, a trip to a West End show is such a treat for students, who we’ve seen revel in the experience of being in the midst of London’s “Theatreland”. Along with New York's Broadway, West End theatre is considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking world. 

A combination of brilliant actors, dark tales of the past and thrilling rides make the London Dungeon an engaging and entertaining visit for all, as well as a fantastic opportunity to teach your students about more than 1,000 years of history in London. With several performances and exhibitions that play with the senses, we know your students will love a visit to this unusual interactive museum.

The famous Tower of London has had many purposes since it was built 950 years ago. A fortress, royal palace, and a prison, the Tower has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and, since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. A must visit that any student group will enjoy.

N.B. The Tower of London accepts a minimum group size of 15.

A huge, imposing building on London’s Fleet Street, the Royal Courts of Justice (London’s High Court) is one of London’s best kept secrets, its facade resemblant of a beautiful ancient cathedral. Inside, tours are delivered by guides equipped with unparalleled knowledge of the judicial system, ready to lead students on an entertaining and memorable journey through historical court documents, legal costumes through the ages, and the history of the RCJ’s most famous cases and inquiries.

Allow about an hour to visit this small-yet-worthwhile museum, which offers students the opportunity to learn about Great Britain’s oldest police force. Situated in the Guildhall Library, the museum possesses a series of photographs, weapons and communication devices both used and confiscated by the force through the years, displayed across a chronological walk through the museum.

Students can immerse themselves in the history of British democracy at the Houses of Parliament, which are also known officially as the Palace of Westminster. With its oldest part dating back more than 900 years, this neo-Gothic building has a fair few tales to tell as the seat of the English monarchy for over 500 years, and today as the seat for both the House of Commons and House of Lords.

As the final court of appeal in the United Kingdom for all civil cases, as well as criminal cases originating in England, the UK Supreme court offers an excellent educational opportunity for students looking to develop their understanding of the UK court system. At the cort, groups can follow interactive tours which may include time to observe a live appeal hearing, and can be tailored to align with specific areas of the curriculum.

Step inside one of London’s defining landmarks and explore the history, stories and engineering of this iconic structure. Students can piece together the lives of Tower Bridge today through an exhibition inside its Engine Rooms, learning about its history and modern significance through the staff and engineers who work there. Meanwhile, a journey to the bridge’s iconic towers offers incredible views across London and the River Thames – an experience not to be missed.