Thousands of years of history, a fast-changing fusion of old and new, and a well-deserved reputation as a multicultural melting pot – London is full of surprises.
Ideal for school trips, group getaways and educational residentials – whether you’re staying for a night, a week or longer, there’s plenty to get excited about. You could take in the sights of Westminster, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace in just one morning. An afternoon could be spent at the London Transport Museum before watching the street performers in Covent Garden and Leicester Square. And that's just in one tiny part of the city!
Perhaps tomorrow you’ll acquaint yourself with the Tudors at Hampton Court Palace, take a stroll through the oldest parts of the city before enjoying a picnic in the park, then take a Yeoman tour of the Tower of London? Schools can also visit the Parliamentary Education Centre to learn more about how the government works. Complete with themed learning rooms, augmented reality experiences, 360 projections and sound technology – it’s a great interactive experience.
Top school attractions in London
Buckingham Palace
No trip to England’s capital is complete without Buckingham Palace. You’ll see the famous exterior and get a glimpse inside one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today. Depending on the time of year, you can tour the lavishly furnished State Rooms and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Harry Potter
Muggles and wizards alike can grab a chance to enjoy some Harry Potter experiences while you’re visiting. JK Rowling’s books and films continue to captivate children and adults everywhere. Take your pick from a Studio Tour, walking tour, bus tour and even a luggage trolley at Platform 9¾ on King's Cross Station, plus the acclaimed 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' play.
National Gallery of Art
For hundreds of years London’s museums and galleries have been famous for their unparalleled collections – and now most of them are free. Ideal for educational visits, head over to the British Museum, Imperial War Museum, London Canal Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and more. You’re spoilt for choice!
Tower of London
The Tower of London dominates the River Thames as it has done for nearly 1,000 years. The tube, red buses and black taxis keep this metropolis on the move, but nothing stands still forever. Striking towers of glass and steel – including Europe’s tallest building, The Shard – have risen from the city’s 18th-century docks.
Events and attractions
Did we mention that we can help you get discounted tickets? We work closely with attraction partners to offer you discounted prices and fast-track tickets for Madame Tussauds, London Dungeons, City Sightseeing Tours, Royal Historic Palaces and the London Eye plus West End shows such as The Lion King, Wicked and Les Misérables.
Nightlife
The fun doesn’t stop as the sun goes down. Great for groups wanting to experience the bright lights, be sure to venture out and see the city at night. London’s West End has had an insatiable appetite for theatre since Drury Lane first opened in 1663 and today it’s the largest theatre district in the world, with many international stars treading the boards night after night.
Great-value group accommodation
Whether you’re a school, special interest group, university, sports team or a group of friends, finding accommodation in London is easy when you stay with YHA. On top of our safe and secure hostels and great facilities, our friendly staff are pretty brilliant too. We’ll help you to catch the true personality of the city by sharing our love of London and knowledge of the hidden gems.
We’re here to help with planning, paperwork, security issues, coach parking, breakfast, picnic lunch, evening meals, attraction tickets and anything else you need. Our advisers will talk you through how we can support you and help organise the trip of a lifetime.
Ready to make a group booking?
Simply get in touch with our experienced groups advisers to start the process.
Why schools love YHA
Flexible approach
Our groups specialists will work with you to create a break that’s tailored to your needs
Affordable pricing
Book a low-cost group stay and we'll reserve availability for up to 3 weeks while you pay the 20% deposit
Young people pay less
As part of our commitment to young people, we offer a reduced price for group bookings that include guests aged under 26
Safety and security
We work with the DBS and NSPCC on our safeguarding practices for children and many hostels offer secure key card access
Free planning visits
Group leaders can conduct a free site visit before their stay to support planning and risk assessments
Support for schools
Bursary funding and various support schemes are available for schools and colleges
Accredited provider
Over 70 hostels have a Learning Outside the Classroom Award with externally audited risk assessments, insurance and safety logs
Supporting a charity
Every booking helps us create more adventures for young people