England & Scotland School Trip Overview
From the vibrant capital of London to the rolling green hills of Scotland, students will delight in getting to know the United Kingdom on this unique educational tour. Soak in the best of British culture, from afternoon tea to visits to two royal residences. Go off the beaten path with our one-of-a-kind “Blood and Tears Walk” to see a spookier side of London, and admire the breathtaking views from atop Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. This program is designed to expand young travelers’ boundaries while exposing them to a new culture, and is a perennial favorite among both students and teachers alike!
Thanks to our years of experience bringing students to the United Kingdom, we know exactly how to educate, excite, and inspire young travelers. Join us for the chance to immerse your students in the best that the United Kingdom has to offer and leave them with memories to last a lifetime!
Did You Know? Teachers travel for free! Learn more about the Benefits for Teachers.
During this trip, you and your students will…
- Explore both the main attractions, like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament, as well as off-the-beaten-path gems like Camden Market
- Witness the time-honored tradition of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
- Admire some of the world’s best cultural artifacts at the British Museum and the National Gallery
- Enjoy London’s vibrant theater scene with a show in the West End or at Shakespeare’s Globe
- Visit classic pop culture icons such as 221B Baker Street, Abbey Road, and Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station
- Have a guided tour of the spooky Tower of London from one of the Queen’s own Yeoman Warder guards
- Get the best views of Edinburgh from atop Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat
- Gain an appreciation for Edinburgh’s relationship with the monarchs at Holyroodhouse Palace, along the Royal Mile, and at Edinburgh Castle
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 Westminster
Welcome to Great Britain! Arrive in London and meet your TFT staff, who will join you for the remainder of your journey. After getting settled into your hotel in the heart of the city, 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! Finish off the day with your very first taste of British cuisine at one of our favorite local pubs.
DAY 3: Tea and Traditions
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. No trip to London would be complete without spending an afternoon in some of its world-class museums, so students will have their choice of visiting the British Museum or the National Gallery. 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: A night at the theater!
On our final day in London, students will be given choices to visit what interests them most. We understand that student travelers have diverse interests and needs, so our staff do their very best to accommodate everyone’s must-sees. 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. After a visit to the eclectic Camden Market for some last-minute souvenir shopping, we’ll cap off our time in London with a show at the theater!
DAY 6: The rolling hills of Scotland
A leisurely train ride brings us from London to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. After getting settled in, explore this beautiful city’s top attraction, the Edinburgh Castle. Of course, the views from the UNESCO World Heritage site at Calton Hill aren’t to be missed. For dinner, try traditional Scottish cuisine–Haggis, anyone?
Day 7: Stroll the Royal Mile
Stroll down the Royal Mile to the Queen’s summer residence at Holyroodhouse Palace. Adventurous travelers will then have the opportunity to climb all the way up to Arthur’s Seat, which boasts the best views over all Edinburgh. After a refreshing picnic lunch, students will be able to spend their final afternoon as they choose, for example visiting the Scottish National Museum or with a Harry Potter-themed tour of the city. We’ll celebrate the end of an amazing trip with an upscale dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, featuring, as always, authentic local cuisine and great atmosphere.
DAY 8: 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.
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!
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Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.
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Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.