This list was created in October 2020 to inform teachers and educational visit coordinators which attractions were welcoming school visits, as well as the operators and providers happy to help with future plans.
The list below was by no means exhaustive, it’s simply the places and providers that were in touch or that we were made aware of. Please note: the list hasn’t been updated in 2021 as it became apparent that as restrictions began to lift, more places were accepting school groups.
Birmingham Museums Trust: the trust has reopened its sites for school bookings, which includes Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank - Birmingham Science Museum, Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall and Sarehole Mill.
British Airways i360, Brighton: school groups are invited to discover the world around them with a flight to 450ft on its glass viewing pod. Curriculum-based activity sheets to support your day trip as well as classroom-based worksheets and learning resources that will help to extend the learning are available.
British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire: fun cross-curricular activities suitable for primary and secondary school groups of all abilities.
Cadbury World: offers a unique experience that gives a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand. A day full of chocolatey discovery!
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol: the team’s engaging Bridge talks, tours and online delivery bring the story of Brunel’s bridge to life for your class. Tailored to your needs and Covid-secure.
Cobnor Activities Centre Trust, West Sussex: delivers outdoor, residential and environmental activities, which provide learning and educational development outcomes to support young people.
Craggan Outdoors, Scotland: Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards 2019 ‘Best Outdoor Adventure Experience’ provider, with wide range of activities for day visits and 60-bed accommodation for residentials.
Derbyshire Environmental Studies Service: engaging, inspiring and interactive learning outside the classroom for all. Staff training or pupil sessions delivered at school or from locations across Derbyshire, Covid-19 secure.
Discovery Archery Ltd, Surrey: offering Archery Tag® or any other form or combat archery and catering to schools at its outdoor venue.
Go Ape: 34 locations across the country offering youngsters with the chance to swing and climb amongst the treetops through scenic woodland landscapes.
Holkham Estate, Norfolk (National Nature Reserve, Holkham Park, Holkham Hall, Walled Garden and Holkham Stories Experience): From minibeast hunts and strandline scavenges to trailer tours and cycle challenges, your class will love visiting the many different habitats and attractions at Holkham.
The Lakeland Motor Museum, Backbarrow, Cumbria: a varied collection which aims to stimulate young minds with transport, engineering and inventions held within vibrant displays of cultural and national heritage.
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort: a school trip to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is sure to engage, excite and inspire your students, creating countless ‘wow’ moments throughout your visit.
Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre, Somerset: experience outdoor activities, scale heights, paddle the river and explore underground.
Nuclear Races Wild Forest Outdoor Obstacle Centre, Brentwood, Essex: creating tailor-made experience for children of all ages. Covid secure protocol in place.
Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm: the perfect place for children of all ages and abilities to learn about tropical rainforest environments and the amazing life cycle of a butterfly. The butterfly farm is currently closed due to being in tier 3, but the team are looking forward to welcome schools back in 2021 as soon as they can.
The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, East Sussex: pupils can experience spectacular Science through the medium of interactive hands-on activities - every exhibit is designed to be played with to see what happens; investigate, learn and have fun.
UKSA, Isle of Wight: we offer pupils a fun, safe and engaging experience where they can learn life skills in a safe and aspirational environment. Our programmes build confidence and encourage teamwork using watersports and the great outdoors as a catalyst for positive outcomes.
Windermere Lake Cruises, Cumbria: a wide range of days out and you can combine your cruise with a visit to one or two nearby attractions.
WWT Wetland Centres, nationwide: the conservation charity is pleased to be able to once again help children reconnect with nature in a safe and secure environment from 1st December.
YHA hostels, nationwide: offer a range of fully flexible residential and school day trip options ideal for groups of all ages and abilities. YHA provide National Curriculum-linked packages with activities delivered by knowledgeable staff or self-led adventures all in a safe and secure environment. Covid Flexibility Guarantee when booking.
Zip World, North Wales: a fun-filled day out based on key elements of the National Curriculum for KS 2/3, learning about gravity in geography, including lesson plans, worksheets and PowerPoints.
Tour and coach operators on-hand to help schools plan ahead
Anglia Tours: our tour guides bring history to life on tours in UK & Europe. New UK options include walking tours, living history days and UK Front Line experiences.
A.P.T. Travel, Rayleigh, Essex: coach operator which has adopted a specific School Transport policy and can send this out on request.
Club Europe Group Travel, London: with 40 years in school travel, Club Europe offers school music tours, school ski trips, educational trips and sports tours.
European Study Tours: the educational tour operator trusted by teachers to organise school tours and conference events since 1982 to destinations all around the world.
Ferris Holidays Ltd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales: says it provides a safe, reliable and quality option for school trips, whether your school trip is local or Europe-wide.
Further and Higher Travel: specialising in tailor made tours for students in Sixth Form, FE and HE Colleges and Universities. Our team of experts has around 150 years’ experience.
GB Sports Tours, Chester-le-Street, Durham: operating sports tours for schools and clubs since 2000.
The Kings Ferry, London: school coach hire solutions whether you would like to plan school trips for the next academic year or find a Covid-19 safety compliant transport solution.
National Express Transport Solutions: a UK wide group of coach operators (the private hire division of National Express).
NST: the UK’s leading school tour operator, established in 1967. We create expertly planned, tailor-made educational tours to destinations in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Oaker Wood Leisure, Herefordshire / Shropshire: outdoor activity and glamping centre located in a woodland setting. Offers paintball, quad trekking, high ropes, raft building, and more.
Operation Wallacea: specialises in conservation research expeditions offering schools UK based Expeditions, Online Work Experience, Global Biodiversity Lecture Series, Datasets for Research Projects as well as Research Expeditions worldwide.
The School Travel Company, Stourbridge: specialist school and youth group travel tour operator helping schools, colleges, and youth groups with their educational and residential trips to destinations throughout the UK, Europe, India, and North America.
Sport Experiences: specialists in sports festivals for school and youth teams to Disneyland ® Paris. Now also taking enquiries for trips to Wimbledon Championships in 2021.
Study Experiences: educational tours to the UK and Europe including stimulating subject specific seminars and workshops at Disneyland ® Paris.
WST Travel: 35 years’ experience in delivering primary and secondary school trips. Winner of the School Travel Awards ‘Best School Tour Operator’ award from 2016 - present.
If you have any queries, please contact us directly.
Not all of these attractions may have been awarded the VisitEngland ‘We’re Good to Go’ certificate - we’d urge that you look out for this symbol.
You’ll find more information about the certificate here.
As always, we recommend you check the latest government guidance and local restrictions before you travel.
In most cases the wording and descriptions of attractions and companies has been provided by the company concerned. School Travel Organiser takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this content if it has been provided, and publish it in good faith. We also do not endorse those listed above, and offer this list as a service to teachers and those organising school trips. Those listed have had the opportunity to upgrade their free listing to include a logo at a modest cost.
No comments yet