English trips to London
English trips to London
Walk in the footsteps of London’s greatest storytellers
London has been home to some of the greatest writers in history, from Shakespeare and Dickens to Woolf and Zadie Smith.
For English students, it’s a city that brings literature off the page and into the real world. London offers a range of excellent activities, from exploring the of Charles Dickens, standing in Shakespeare’s Globe, Harry Potter tours, West End Workshops or spotting the blue plaques of literary icons – London offers a rich learning experience that connects your students to the stories and settings that shaped English literature.
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Meet our London experts
It’s the people behind the scenes who make our trips truly special. Our Tour Designers know London inside-out and are ready to listen, share ideas, and offer tailored, experience-led advice to make your trip a huge success.
Ready to start planning? Call us or arrange a video appointment online.
Jamie
“My favourite itinerary”
Here’s a little inspiration to get you started…
Kaz
“My top pick of things to see and do”
London is packed with creative inspiration, but here are a few standout experiences I always recommend for English groups:
British Library Visits and Workshops
Exploring English workshops offer students the opportunity to develop skills in language analysis and interpretation.
Dickens Museum and Workshops
The museum holds over 100,000 items including manuscripts, rare editions, personal items, paintings and other visual sources relating to the life of Charles Dickens and his works.
Dickens’ London Walk
Visit places where Dickens lived and worked
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour and Experience
The new Globe Experience combines an interactive look at theatre-craft, the unique story of Shakespeare’s Globe, and a guided tour of the Globe Theatre.
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.
The lastminute.com London Eye
The famous London Eye is one of the world’s highest observation wheels, standing at 135 metres high.
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.
West End Workshop – Shakespeare 2000
Explore the works of Shakespeare with your students during this no-nonsense practical intro to Shakespeare.
British Library Visits and Workshops
Exploring English workshops offer students the opportunity to develop skills in language analysis and interpretation. Through discussions, creative activities and source-based learning, students will develop an understanding of the diversity of the English language and investigate the impact of power, technology and standardisation on language production. Other workshops also available, see website for details.
Dickens Museum and Workshops
The museum holds over 100,000 items including manuscripts, rare editions, personal items, paintings and other visual sources relating to the life of Charles Dickens and his works. The museum offers taught workshops for KS3, 4 and 5 students where pupils understand how texts relate to the social and historical context in which they were written and learn to shape meaning and evaluate ideas and effect in their own writing.
Dickens’ London Walk
Visit places where Dickens lived and worked, and locations nearby which he used in his books, such as Fagin’s Den, the Thieves Kitchen and Mr Tulkinghorn’s house. See where he had a fateful meeting with his first illustrator, the spot where he was given his first break, as well as other literary points of interest.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour and Experience
The Globe Experience combines an interactive look at theatre-craft, the unique story of Shakespeare’s Globe, and a guided tour of the Globe Theatre. Discover how they bring the magic of stories to life in a newly interpreted space beneath Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre!
With help from experts, you’ll immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare’s storytelling, from the creation of his works to the way they are interpreted today. Explore how different elements of stagecraft are combined to bring these stories to life in the beautiful and unique ‘Wooden O’ and candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
This tour can be combined with a GCSE study day.
Thames River Cruises
A great opportunity for you to discover the ‘must-see’ sights in London. Watch and enjoy commentary 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 Tower Pier, Westminster Pier and Greenwich Pier.
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.
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).
West End Workshop – Shakespeare 2000
Explore the works of Shakespeare with your students during this no-nonsense practical intro to Shakespeare. The workshop includes an hour with a teaching artist followed by a 30 minute Q&A session with a West End professional.
Harry
“My top tips”
Here’s how to make the most out of your English trip to London
First night fun
A gentle activity helps everyone settle after a long travel day.
Let them see the plan
Knowing what’s coming next helps students feel calmer and more involved.
Prep students early
Clear expectations around behaviour, routines, and responsibilities set the tone for a smooth trip.
Harry
The best places to stay
We’ve tried and tested accommodation across the city to find the options that work brilliantly for school groups – safe, comfortable, and perfectly located.
Generator London
Located in Bloomsbury, close to Russell Square, Generator London offers centrally located accommodation within easy reach of the West End, Covent Garden and key London attractions.
- En‑suite or shared‑facility rooms
- Central Bloomsbury location
- Close to Russell Square Underground Station
- Easy access to the West End and major sights
- Well connected by tube and bus routes
A&O London Docklands Riverside
Set on the eastern stretch of the River Thames, A&O London Docklands Riverside offers group‑friendly accommodation with good transport connections into central London.
- En‑suite or shared‑facility rooms
- Riverside Docklands location
- Quiet setting away from the city centre
- Easy access to DLR and bus services
- Good connections to central London attractions
Premier Inn London
Across multiple locations in London, Premier Inn hotels offer comfortable, reliable accommodation with easy access to public transport and the city’s key cultural, historic and educational attractions.
- En‑suite rooms
- Multiple London locations available
- Consistent, comfortable accommodation
- Easy access to public transport across the city
- Practical option for school and group travel
YHA London Thameside
Positioned on the south bank of the River Thames in south‑east London, YHA London Thameside offers group accommodation with good bus and rail links to central London.
- En‑suite rooms
- South Bank location
- Near rail and bus links
- Easy access to city centre
- Facilities for groups
Royal National Hotel
In London’s Bloomsbury district, the Royal National Hotel offers large‑scale accommodation within easy walking distance of Russell Square Underground Station.
- En‑suite rooms
- Central London location
- Near Russell Square station
- Oxford Street, Covent Garden & Theatres close by
- Extensive on‑site facilities
The most popular questions, answered
London layers language, literature and storytelling into everyday life. From theatres and historical settings to contemporary voices and cultural context, the city brings texts off the page and into conversation. It helps students see English as something lived, not just studied.
Esto designs London itineraries that connect literature, language and context in thoughtful ways. Students deepen their understanding of texts, themes and authorial intent while strengthening analytical and evaluative skills through real world exposure.
Students encounter English through performance, place and discussion, helping ideas resonate more strongly. These experiences encourage interpretation, independent thinking and confident expression, especially when students can reflect together in context.
Accommodation is selected to suit school groups, offering comfort, security and straightforward travel into key cultural areas. A practical base ensures days run smoothly and students stay focused on learning rather than logistics.
Trips include accommodation, transport and a bespoke itinerary designed around your English focus. Everything is shaped with care to support learning flow, thoughtful discussion and shared moments of insight.
Esto partners with teachers from the outset, listening carefully and shaping trips that feel purposeful and achievable. Support sits quietly behind the scenes, giving you the confidence to focus on discussion, discovery and bringing texts to life.
What people say
“The Director’s Chair workshop was very good. The practitioner delivered just the right balance of practical exploration and discussion.”
Ivybridge Community College
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Explore other trips
Performing Arts, Drama & Theatre Studies trips to London
Experience live theatre and performance in this leading theatre city.
- Performance workshops and backstage tours
- Study the work of theatre makers, directors and performers
- Visit the West End, Shakespeare’s Globe and theatre district
Cultural & Enrichment trips to London
Culture, entertainment and landmark sights in the capital.
- Combine museums, attractions and theatre in one city break
- Build confidence and independence in your students
- Choose your favourite London sights and attractions
Performing Arts, Drama & Theatre Studies trips to Paris
Visit this world-leading city of theatre, performance and artistic expression.
- Explore performance styles, staging and theatrical traditions
- Study drama within a rich cultural and historical context
- Visit iconic venues such as the Comédie‑Française, Opéra Garnier and Paris theatre districts
