British History School Trips, UK
The UK has so many fascinating historic attractions to bring your British history lessons to life. Take a look at our most popular history day trips and excusions spanning Neolithic Britain to the Cold War.
Overview
Voyager's History School Trips in the UK
With the input of History Teachers, we’ve selected our top British History school trips which can be achieved in a day. With sites spanning topics as diverse as Neolithic Britain to Roman settlement, from the Battle of Hastings to the birth of the Commonwealth, right up to the Cold War and present day, our British History trips have it all.
The holocaust is the only compulsory element of the history curriculum but you don’t necessarily need to go abroad to study this important topic in more detail. We recommend two holocaust memorials for school groups of all ages which can be visited as an alternative, or as a pre-cursor, to a tour of Krakow and Auschwitz.
History Teachers might also be intereted in our Great War day trips and World War Two history visits featuring sites and attractions in the UK.
When organising a day trip it is essential that your coach is punctual and reliable. Voyager School Travel owns a specialist coach company called Pegasus Coaches, and wherever possible our school groups are transported by Pegasus coach, driven by our own professional driver, so you can be sure of a safe and reliable service.
With expertly designed itineraries, free planning visits, door to door coach transport and the financial security of an ABTA backed service we will help you create a unique and memorable learning experience for your class.
Excursions
Explore British History with these day trip ideas
When organising a day trip it is essential that your coach is punctual and reliable and that's why, wherever possible, all our day trips include transport with Pegasus Coaches, our very own specialist school coach company. With expertly designed itineraries, free planning visits, door to door coach transport and the financial security of an ABTA backed service we will help you create a unique and memorable learning experience for your class.
© Patrick Roper and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence
1066 & The Battle of Hastings
Take your students on an immersive trip to Battle Abbey to learn about one of the most famous battles in English history which changed the course of England forever. Your students will explore the events leading up to the famous battle for the English throne in 1066 between William of Normandy and King Harold. The highlight of the visit is an immersive expert-led session where students can re-enact the battle with replica weapons on the battlefield – a truly memorable experience!
© Dimitris Vetsikas
National Holocaust Centre & Museum, Nottinghamshire
Beth Shalom, also named the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, is a well thought out and sensitive Holocaust museum and memorial. Using fascinating artefacts and interactive displays, your students will learn about the Holocaust through the story of a young Jewish boy living in Berlin under the Nazi regime. Set in tranquil grounds, the thought-provoking museum provides specialist educational programmes for both primary and secondary school students.
© Dimitris Vetsikas
Holocaust Exhibition & Learning Centre, Huddersfield
The Centre uses stories to help students understand the world and Through Our Eyes is an interactive, multi-media exhibition about 16 young people who survived Nazi persecution across Europe in the 1930s and came to the north of England as refugees and survivors. The Centre also offers interactive learning sessions where students engage with objects, images and documents to help understand Holocaust themes as well as powerful survivor talks for school groups,
Roman Baths, Bath
Take your students back in time to discover Roman life at the world-famous Roman Baths, a well preserved site set on a sacred mineral spring which includes a Roman Temple, Roman Bath House and fascinating museum. We can organise interactive sessions for students (Key Stages 1 to 4) where students work with original Roman materials while overlooking the Great Bath.
© Alan Wilson https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/
Cold War Exhibition - RAF Museum, Cosford Shropshire
Housed in wartime hangars students will find a fantastic display of aircraft, exhibits and interactive experiences and school workshops delivered by the learning team. Schools groups can learn about the bravery of pilots in Test Flight, fly with the Red Arrows in the 4D experience, and experience a Virtual Reality flight in a Spitfire. The National Cold War Exhibition is the only place in the UK where you can see Britain’s V Bombers: the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant.
Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Stonehenge’s iconic ring of standing stones has to be one of the most well-known and outstanding prehistoric monuments in Britain. The site offers a fascinating backdrop to History, Geography and Science lessons covering topics such as the Bronze Age, hunter-gatherers of the Neolithic period, physical and human geography, and the science behind how our ancestors might have moved and raised the stones. Free teacher resources available.
Osborne House Isle of Wight
Discover the private lives of Queen Victoria and her family at Osborne House where your class can explore the house and grounds, the Swiss Cottage and beach. A fascinating backdrop for students to explore Victorian power and empire. We can also organise expert-led immersive sessions for your group covering topics such as Victorian explorers, life below stairs, and the history and geology of the Isle of Wight. Art students will not want to miss a visit to the exotic Durbar room, exploring the gifts and paintings given to Queen Victoria as Empress of India.
National Maritime Museum & Royal Observatory, London
The historic sailing ship, Cutty Sark, fastest of its time, can be found in the beautiful setting of the National Maritime Museum on the banks of the River Thames at Greenwich where students can discover epic stories of exploration and endeavour that have shaped our world today. Or for a brief history of time, take your school group to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the world. All three museums are set within a UNESCO world heritage site alongside the Queen's House Art Gallery.
Dover Castle, Kent
With a heritage dating back 2000 years, Dover Castle has played a significant role in our history. From the Roman lighthouse to the WW1 Secret Wartime Tunnels, Dover Castle supports a broad range of history topics such as the Norman Conquest, Medieval Britain, the changing role of church and monarchy, the role of WW1 Fire Command Post and Operation Dynamo - the plans behind the Dunkirk evacuation of May 1940. Free teacher resources, artefact handling and dress up activities available.
© David Spender https://www.flickr.com/photos/dspender/
Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chichester
The largest roman home in Britain where students can experience the luxury that would once have surrounded the original Roman owner. The Palace contains the largest collection of in situ mosaics dating back to the first century as well as recreated Roman gardens – the earliest found anywhere in the UK. Each visit includes a learning workshop with Fishbourne’s award-winning educational team which brings to life the story of the site and of Roman Britain giving students the chance to handle objects which are thousands of years old.
© Mike McBey https://www.flickr.com/photos/158652122@N02/
Buckler’s Hard, New Forest
Once a thriving shipbuilding settlement which provided ships for Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, the historic village of Buckler’s Hard now hosts a maritime museum, shipwright’s workshop, historic riverside walk and a period cottage decked out to show how families lived in the 18th century. The award-winning educational team offer a variety of educational programmes covering History (Nelson, Trafalgar, 18th century village life), Geography (development of an industrial settlement in the 1700s) and Science (ship construction) as well as programmes for children with special educational needs.
© Heather Cowper https://www.flickr.com/photos/heatheronhertravels/
M Shed Bristol - discover Bristol's vibrant history & culture
Explore the rich history of Bristol through the stories and objects of the inhabitants who have worked, lived and shaped this interesting and vibrant city. Learn about Bristol Places, Life and People, such as famous Bristolians Banksy and Aardman, while also tackling Bristol’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade - there’s plenty for your students to explore and discuss.
© Paul Woolley
Frogmore Paper Mill, Hemel Hempstead
See Britain’s industrial heritage in action at the Frogmore Paper Mill. The first paper machine was installed here in 1803 and the story of paper is a fascinating; history of invention, science, engineering and creativity. The enthusiastic education team offer hand-on school workshops including papermaking, letterpress, and braille as well as tours of the working mill which still produces paper using a heritage machine from 1902. Make a day of it and include a skippered boat trip along the Grand Union Canal. Free teacher packs also included.
© Derek Harper and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
There’s plenty for students to discover at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. With 20 galleries spread over three floor displaying world-class collections, from dinosaurs and gems to magnificent fine art, Egyptian mummies and, of course, an original Banksy, there is something for every type of learner at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
© Carole Raddato https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/
Lullingstone Roman Villa, Kent
One of the most complete surviving Roman villas in Britain, Lullingstone offers a spectacular collection of mosaics, rare wall paintings, heated bath-suite and outstanding archaeological finds which give students a peek into the lives of our affluent Roman occupiers. A specially commissioned light show brings the villa to life, and galleries display Lullingstone’s fascinating collection of Roman artefacts. With origins dating back to AD100 the villa contains the remains of a rare ‘house church’ providing some of the earliest evidence for Christianity in Britain.
Included
All our UK school day trip packages include:
- A detailed itinerary with pre-booked excursions
- Door to door transport on a Voyager-owned Pegasus coach (Pegasus coach subject to availability)
- Free teacher place for every 8 students on the trip
- Dedicated person to support you before, during and after your trip
- 24-hour emergency back-up – we won’t leave you stranded
- The security of an ABTA-backed financial guarantee
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Assistance with inspection visits
Voyager School Travel owns a specialist coach company called Pegasus Coaches, and wherever possible our school groups are transported by Pegasus coach, driven by our own professional driver, so you can be sure of a safe and reliable service.
School benefits
The benefits of using Voyager to organise your day trip
One stop shop – from transport to excursions we take care of every detail. We make it easier to organise a day trip with just one point of contact, a single invoice and help with risk assessments, leaving you more time to deal with students and parents.
Get the most from a short trip – as educational travel specialists we have the expertise to recommend an inspirational day trip which is packed full of learning. You’ll be surprised by what can be achieved in just one day.
Travel safely – we are one of the only school travel companies with our own specialist school coach company which means you benefit from preferential rates, door to door service and drivers who are experienced in looking after school groups (indeed other school travel companies use our coaches too!).
We’ve got your back – book your trip as a package so if you encounter a problem you can rely on our experienced team to sort it out. And with our own coach fleet, we can guarantee that we’ll never leave you stranded.
Peace of mind if plans change – if we have to cancel your trip because of COVID or any other reason, your group is eligible for a full no-quibble refund.
Financial protection - by booking your day trip as a package with us, your trip is completely protected by the ABTA financial guarantee.
Get a quote ✅
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