Bring the history of crime and punishment to life with your history school trip to York and Ripon!
School trips to York offer students the opportunity to discover one of the most charming, historic cities in the UK!
York is a fantastic destination for many school trips, including history school trips and school residentials. Whatever your reason for choosing York as the destination for your next trip, our school travel experts will work closely with you to design an itinerary that will support your learning objectives and leave your students feeling inspired.
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Tour Consultant
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Emma Gray da Silva
Tour Consultant
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Why visit York?
Explore a historic city
There are few more exciting cities in the UK for school history groups than York. Originally a Roman settlement, York was later conquered by the Vikings, and then by the Normans. It was home to Guy Fawkes, key figure in the Gunpowder Plot, and it was besieged by Parliamentarians during the Civil War.
York is now a popular destination among both domestic and international tourists, thanks to its attractiveness and its many exciting attractions, including Jorvik Viking Museum, York Dungeon and York Minster.
Discover the history of crime and punishment
If you’re looking for a school history trip within the UK with a focus on crime and punishment, then York could be the perfect choice. One of our favourite visits is York Castle Museum, which is housed in prison buildings built on the site of the former castle. Here, you’ll learn about what life was like for inmates and will even meet some of the most notorious!
We also recommend including an excursion to nearby Ripon, where the town’s museums offer the option to enjoy a day dedicated to learning more about crime and punishment throughout the ages.
Most art school groups choose to base themselves around St. Ives, which has attracted artists for decades. Here you can visit the Tate St. Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, as well as the many artists’ studios and galleries around the town.
Discover the magic of Yorkshire
Choosing York as the destination for your school residential offers your students the opportunity to explore the largest county in the UK, Yorkshire.
Whether it’s exploring the spectacular Yorkshire coastline at Scarborough, Whitby or Filey, or heading to one of the county’s cities, such as York or Hull, your students will have the opportunity to experience all that this diverse county has to offer.
And make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to visit York’s Chocolate Story, where you can learn more about how York’s Quaker families opened cocoa houses and chocolate shops, making York one of the main centres for chocolate production in the UK. Your students will especially love the opportunity to create their own delicious treats in the factory zone.
FAQs
How long should we spend in York on a school trip?
To make the most of everything York has to offer, we would recommend spending at least 2 days in the city on your school trip.
What's the best way to get around York?
York is a small city and it's very easy to get around on foot, making it an easy option for school trips.
Which visits are a must on a school trip to York?
Whatever your reason for visiting York, you must set some time aside to visit the iconic York Minster. And if your group is interested in history, then York Castle Museum and York Dungeon are definitely worth a visit. We would also recommend including a visit to York's Chocolate Story, which will go down a treat with your students!
Are there any free things to do in York?
There are several free things to do in York. One of our favourites is the National Railway Museum, which tells the story of Britain's railways and the important impact they had on British society. You could also take a stroll through the Museum Gardens, which include the 13th century ruins of St. Mary's Abbey and the Roman Multangular Tower. You could also walk the city walls - while most parts date back to the 13th century, some date back to Roman times! And if you visit in December, make sure you check out the Christmas markets!
Can I arrange a cross-curricular school trip to York?
Yes, York offers great opportunities for a variety of subjects, including history, geography and music, and is also a great base for a school residential trip!
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