England School Trip Overview
With its impressive history and rich literary culture, England is the perfect introduction to Europe for student travelers. Explore the buzzing capital of London, from its classic monuments–Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey–to modern gems like the London Eye and Camden Market. This itinerary is easily customizable–choose day trips out of London that your students will love, and feel free to adjust the length of the trip.
Our extensive experience in bringing students to the United Kingdom allows us to provide unparalleled education, excitement, and inspiration for young travelers. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to immerse your students in the finest that England has to offer and give them memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.
If you’re looking for other options for your students, we also offer trips to explore the rolling hills of Scotland, the romance and culture of Paris, the stunning landscapes of Ireland, or a deep dive into English literature and history with a focus on Shakespeare.
Did You Know? Teachers travel for free! Enroll just six paying participants and your trip is covered. Learn more about the Benefits for Teachers.
During this trip, you and your students will…
- Admire some of the world’s most impressive cultural artifacts, from the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum to the priceless paintings in the National Gallery
- Experience British theater culture with your choice of shows in the West End or Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- Delight in local culinary specialties like fish and chips, meat pies, and of course, afternoon tea
- Soak in the view of the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, and Tower Bridge from atop the London Eye
- Have a tour of the spooky Tower of London led by one of the Queen’s own Yeoman Warder guards
Detailed Trip Itinerary
Learn more about what each day is like on tour! Click on the day to discover the different sites and activities you will experience
DAY 1: Cheerio, London!
Flight from your preferred airport to London.
DAY 2: Welcome to Windsor
Welcome to Great Britain! Arrive in London and meet your TFT staff, who will join you for the remainder of your journey. Board our private coach to Windsor Castle, where we’ll have lunch before touring this home of the British monarchy. Later, our coach will bring us to our hotel in the heart of downtown London. We’ll get settled in before going out to a classic pub for our first dinner.
DAY 3: Afternoon tea, anyone?
We’ll spend today enjoying some of London’s finest traditions, beginning with the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. From there, we’ll enjoy afternoon tea, featuring finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Next, we’ll take a walking tour of downtown London to familiarize ourselves with the main sights, including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, the River Thames, and of course Big Ben! After dinner, go on our unique “Blood and Tears Walk” to learn some darker secrets of London’s history.
DAY 4: The Best Views in London
The impressive Tower of London awaits today. Once home to some of England’s most notorious prisoners and now housing the Crown Jewels, this is a must-see and a student favorite! We’ll receive a guided tour from the Yeoman Warder guards at the Tower before crossing Tower Bridge (also known as London Bridge). After a delicious lunch in the always-busy Borough Market, we’ll explore the Southbank neighborhood and visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Top it all off with a ride on the London Eye, the massive Ferris Wheel that gives the best views over all of London!
DAY 5: Museums and Markets
Today we’ll savor some of the attractions that make London truly unique. We understand that student travelers have diverse interests and needs, so our staff do their very best to accommodate everyone’s must-sees. This morning, students will have the option of visiting the National Gallery, home to one of the world’s best collections of European paintings, or the British Museum, where they can view artifacts from cultures around the world. The group will reconvene at the eclectic Camden Market for lunch and to hunt for souvenirs. In the afternoon, students will again be presented with various options. Readers of Sherlock Holmes can visit 221B Baker Street; Harry Potter fans can visit Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station; or they can walk in the footsteps of the Beatles at Abbey Road. Tonight, a night out in London’s incredible theater district awaits! Choose between a modern show or musical in the West End, one of Shakespeare’s plays at a classic theater, or something totally different!
DAY 6: Day Trip Of Your Choice
All around London, there are wonderful day trips to be enjoyed by students and teachers alike. Depending on your curriculum and your students’ interests, we can tailor-make this itinerary with the day trip(s) of your choice. Options include but are not limited to:
- The Harry Potter film studios in Leavesden, where all 8 films were made
- Stratford-Upon-Avon, where William Shakespeare was born and his final resting place is found
- Oxford, home to the world-class University and Bodleian Library
- Cambridge, one of the most beautiful and prestigious universities in the world
- Stonehenge and the nearby villages of Salisbury or Bath, of particular interest to students of history and geology
- Brighton, a vibrant port city on the southern coast of England famous for its pier
- Southampton, from which the Titanic set sail just days before her sinking
- The Greenwich Observatory, home to the Prime Meridian and where Greenwich Mean Time is established
In the evening, we’ll return to London and enjoy an elegant final dinner to celebrate this amazing trip!
DAY 7: Until next time!
Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.
Looking for something a little longer? This trip can be extended!
For teachers looking for a longer adventure, this trip can be adapted to up to 12 days! Our expert trip designers will be able to help you craft the perfect itinerary with plenty of options and exciting cultural connections to extend your stay. Contact us for details!
The TFT Difference
We Never Combine Groups
Your tour should be special and just for you and your students! We will never combine two or more groups on the same bus or tour. We will lead a trip with as few as six people and a teacher. Your Trip Director travels with you for the duration of your program.
Stress-Free Planning and 24/7 Support
We are there for you every step of the way, and our support begins the moment you decide to do a TFT trip! We will provide you with a team member who will help bring your tour to life, along with everything you need to help get students to sign up for the adventure! On the tour you will have 24/7 dedicated staff with you to ensure everything runs smoothly and because we know travel is full of surprises, solve anything that may pop up along the way.
Photos and Email Updates
Your trip is special and you and your students should have those memories captured forever! Expect frequent personal email updates and hundreds of photos from your TFT staff shared with you and your students’ families so everyone can follow along on the journey. We are the only teen travel program to offer this in-depth trip communication and it truly makes all the difference!
Central Accommodation and Local Meals
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. We stay at locally owned accommodation in the city center so you don’t waste your valuable time commuting. We dine at charming authentic restaurants to get a real flavor (literally!) for the local culture. The best way to travel is like a local. So ditch the tour bus and have a real traveler’s experience with us!
Photo Gallery
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.
Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.