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Human Geography Trips to London

London is a great destination for a geography field trip on a budget.   The 2012 Olympic games changed the landscape of the city, making it a great place to study the impact of hosting such an event and urban regeneration.

Other places where geography study themes can be explored are the London Wetland Centre, The Thames Barrier, which is a crucial line of defence in protecting the capital from flooding in times of rising sea levels, and The Olympic Park which hosts workshops on urban sustainability in its outdoor classroom.


Curriculum Topics Key Stage 4

  • Urban issues and challenges
  • Water
  • Energy

Curriculum Topics Key Stage 5

  • Population and the Environment
  • Contemporary urban environments

Prices start from£169pp

Popular itinerary

Our sample itinerary provides you with an idea of the visits you can cover during your trip. We can tailor-make an itinerary to support your specific learning outcomes.

Morning Afternoon Evening
1 Group Rail travel to London, drop bags at your accommodation Visit the WWT Wetland Centre Dinner and Thames River Cruise
2 Visit to the Thames Barrier Visit the Olympic Park Return Group Rail Travel
  • 1
  • 2
Morning Group Rail travel to London, drop bags at your accommodation
Afternoon Visit the WWT Wetland Centre
Evening Dinner and Thames River Cruise
Morning Visit to the Thames Barrier
Afternoon Visit the Olympic Park
Evening Return Group Rail Travel

Price Shown includes

  • Return rail travel (based on the fare from Birmingham stations)
  • 1 night B&B accommodation
  • Specialist group travel insurance
  • Bespoke itinerary planning service
  • Free place ratios
  • Locate My Trip - live trip tracking app 
  • Online trip organiser & travel app
  • 24/7 support whilst you are away

Places to Stay


Reasons to Visit

BedZED Beddington Zero Energy Development

The UK’s largest mixed use sustainable community, designed to create a thriving community in which ordinary people could enjoy a high quality of life, while living within their fair share of the Earth’s resources. The BedZED Visitor Centre houses the BioRegional exhibition and BedZED show home, along with meeting and seminar facilities and the offices of BioRegional Development Group. BioRegional products, including locally sourced charcoal, local paper for London, hemp note paper, lavender oil and research reports are also available.

WWT Wetland Centre

London Wetland Centre is unique in being the first Created wetland habitat to have been developed in any capital city in the world. Over five years the area has been transformed by WWT from 43 hectares of concrete reservoirs into an impressively diverse wetland reserve and visitor attraction.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - Outdoor Classroom

During a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, your students will be able to use the parklands, venues and waterways as an inspiring learning environment. Resources up to Key Stage 3 are available for download.

The Thames Barrier Visitors Centre

The world's largest movable flood barrier spans 520 metres (a third of a mile) across the Thames at Woolwich Reach, South East London. The Thames Barrier Visitors Centre on the South Bank features a working model of the Barrier and a video which shows its construction and operation and how it protects the capital from flooding.

The River Thames Visitor Centre

The RTVC is the only river centre on the Thames where you can obtain information about the Thames, its environment, the organisations, events, culture, its economy and recreation.

Kings Cross Regeneration & Innovation Walking Tour

This two-hour tour explores the remarkable transformation and regeneration of the area around King’s Cross Station. In two hours, explore the key features and conflicts within the regeneration including the question of heritage preservation, and a new outlook on the creation of public space. Art both old and new serves to enhance the creative atmosphere of this dynamically changing area.

Discover how the regeneration has created a vibrant business eco-system, specifically for knowledge-based businesses and how these changes have attracted global players such as Google. The Kings Cross Tour uses key case studies of the two stations, Regents Canal and the surrounding buildings and spaces to uncover one of the UK's biggest regeneration projects.

Cutting-Edge Green Tour

London is often ranked among the top sustainable cities in the world - take a closer look on our Cutting-Edge Green Tour. Beginning outside the Dominion Theatre, this two-hour walking tour examines sustainable practice from a wide variety of sectors and perspectives.

Weaving through Covent Garden, the tour first examines ethical retail visiting one of London’s first ethical business hubs, and one of the West End's prettiest pockets. Along the way discover sustainable architecture and sustainable development on a micro and city-wide level through innovative technology and forward-thinking policy in both the public and the private sector. The tour finishes at Southbank by the Oxo Tower, revealing impressive panoramic views of London’s skyline, and uncovering a community that took sustainability into their own hands.

London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo and one of London’s main tourist attractions, located on the edge of Regents Park. It organises a wide variety of educational programmes for all levels of students and will tailor a talk to suit the subject interests of students and Science. 

They have a range of online resources available to download and use before, during and after a visit to ZSL London Zoo. Some of the resources are for the pupils to use and some are for the accompanying adults.

The lastminute.com London Eye

The famous London Eye is one of the world’s highest observation wheels, standing at 135 metres high. The wheel has thirty-two capsules, each of which holds 25 people and views possible as far away as twenty-five miles on a clear day.

The View from The Shard

The View from the Shard is situated on floors 68, 69 and 72, almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in London, where you can take in all of London at once with 360 degree views of up to 40 miles long.

Sightseeing Tours by bus

Hop-on hop-off bus tours are great for general sightseeing, giving access to all the major sites. Departing from Grosvenor Gardens it includes Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, London Eye and Piccadilly Circus.

Thames River Cruises

A great opportunity for you to discover the 'must-see' sights in London. Watch as the River Thames weaves its way through the heart of London and see the history of this city around every bend. Cruises depart frequently from Westminster Pier, Waterloo (London Eye) Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier.

IFS Cloud Cable Car

Rising to a height of 90 metres, the IFS Cloud Cable Car offers you an exciting 1.1km cable car journey across the Thames on the UK’s only urban cable car connecting the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Victoria Dock.

The London Dungeons

Transport yourself back to the darkest moments in the capital's history within the deep depths of the London Dungeons.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions with over 400 wax works of celebrities, politicians, pop stars and actors.   A fully interactive experience, Madame Tussauds will inspire, enthuse and immerse pupils in celebrity culture and modern media as they walk among the stars!

Downloadable lesson plans are available to enhance and support your visit which will explore the media, fake news and celebrity culture.   

ArcelorMittal Orbit

The ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Park, Stratford which is the iconic structure of the London 2012 Games and has the longest and tallest tunnel slide in the world. 

Take the lift up to the viewing platform, 80 meters high, and after marvelling at the view take the slide down which lasts a thrilling 40 seconds! Go back to the top and take some time learning about the city on the interactive touchscreens or making use of the free Key Stage 1-4 resources before walking back down the winding staircase with its 455 steps.

You can book with or without the slide and you can choose to stay the whole day in the park by taking a behind the scenes tour at the iconic London Stadium, swimming at the London Aquatics Centre or visiting the Lee Valley Velopark; alternatively, explore the parklands and waterways with a local Blue Badge guide.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, which crosses the River Thames, was built between 1886 and 1894 and is an iconic symbol of London with its two towers and bridge deck which opens to allow tall ships through. You can walk across the lower bridge deck but the twin towers and high-level glass walkways and Victorian engine rooms are part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

West End Theatre Tickets

The majority of student groups who visit London like to round off their trip by seeing a show. We can also book pre-theatre meals at nearby restaurants for you. Save up to 50% on the normal ticket price by attending a midweek (Mon-Thurs) evening or matinee performance. The majority of top West End shows offer these affordable discounted tickets to student groups year round (excluding school holiday dates).

Wicked

THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WITCHES OF OZ...

WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University: the blonde and very popular Glinda and a misunderstood green girl named Elphaba. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

WICKED is suitable for a general audience. As a guide to parents and guardians, it is recommended for ages 7+

(Source: https://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/london/about/synopsis)

NOTE: There are other shows/plays on offer not featured. All are subject to availability.

Matilda the Musical

Matilda The Musical is the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by the incomparable Roald Dahl. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

Recommended for ages 6 and above.

(Source: https://uk.matildathemusical.com/about/the-story/)

NOTE: There are other shows/plays on offer not featured. All are subject to availability.

The Lion King

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney's multi award-winning musical uses breath-taking masks and puppetry to create pure theatrical magic. At its heart is the powerful and moving story of Simba - the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.

(Source: https://disney.co.uk/shows/the-lion-king-musical-tickets)

NOTE: There are other shows/plays on offer not featured. All are subject to availability.

Mamma Mia!

Set on a Greek Island Paradise, the story of a daughter on the eve of her wedding and her quest to discover the identify of her father, all set to the music of ABBA.

NOTE: There are other shows/plays on offer not featured. All are subject to availability.

London Christmas Markets

At Christmas the South Bank of the River is transformed into a wintry wonderland, where global cuisine and an artisan Christmas market come together in one sparkling location.  Amble past wooden chalets which line the banks of the Thames and pick up gorgeous stocking fillers from the Winter Market. Or, tuck into some Christmas fare underneath the glittering Christmas lights.

In Hyde Park, you can truly immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland, one of the biggest Christmas markets in London.  Other locations for Christmas Markets in London include Leicester Square, London Bridge City and Greenwich.  Many of these pop-up London markets appear in mid-November and stay open until the New Year

Victoria and Albert Museum

Founded in 1852, it is well known for the wide variety of its collection. The items include furniture, fashion and textiles, sculpture, paintings, silver, glass, ceramics, jewellery, books, prints and photographs which illustrate the artistic life of many different cultures from all over the world.

Tate Modern

Tate Modern is Britain's new collection of modern art. The museum contains works from 1900 to present day and includes Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Warhol and more contemporary artists. There is also a wide range of temporary exhibitions and public programmes.

Science Museum

The Science Museum, founded in 1857, is one of London’s major tourist attractions, attracting 3.3 million visitors annually. They do not charge for admission, however, there may be a charge for temporary exhibitions.

The Science Museum holds a collection of over 300,000 items, including such famous items such as Stephenson’s Rocket, Puffing Billy (the oldest surviving steam locomotive), the first jet engine, the Apollo 10 Command module, hundreds of interactive exhibits and an IMAX 3D Cinema.

The Science Museum is made up of a number of themed galleries including; Power, Exploring Space, Making of the Modern World, Flight, Information Age, Engineer Your Future and Medicine.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour - Harry Potter

Go behind-the-scenes in the making of Harry Potter and see how many things the camera never showed. From breathtakingly detailed sets to stunning costumes, props and animatronics, Warner Bro. Studio Tour provides a unique showcase of the extraordinary British artistry, technology and talent that went into making one of the most successful film franchises. Short workshops are also available in a variety of subjects including set design, camera choices and many more.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history.

As well as being located in a stunning and striking Romanesque architecture building, which is considered a work of art in its own right, the museum is famous for the dinosaurs and is home to over 80 million specimens spanning 4.5 billion years of Earth's history.

The museum offers too much to mention here but have collections under the categories of: oceans, human evolution, space, dinosaurs, British wildlife as well as visiting collections and exhibitions. Check out their website for up-to-date information.  https://www.nhm.ac.uk/

 

London Aquarium

The £25 million London Aquarium is the first attraction of its kind in London and is one of Europe's largest exhibitions of global aquatic life displayed in over 2 million litres of water. 

Visit to discover the amazing marine life at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, find out about penguins, sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish and much more. Travel through Pacific Ocean tunnels, tropical rainforests (and even a shark reef!) to see the different habitats on planet earth!


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What you say

Once again delighted with the service we have received from beginning to end with EST.  Queen Elizabeths Grammar School

I will continue to use EST as each year our annual London trip gets better and better. Kings Leadership Academy

An excellent trip which was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students. I received great support throughout.  Sir John Deanes College

This was my second journey via European Study tours and I would highly recommend the company to anyone bringing groups to London.  Pianca School