My first ever trip to Europe was in 2011 with my colleague, Michael and eight high school students. While we didn’t visit the sites on this tour during that particular trip, we did visit London on our second trip three years later except this time, our group had grown to over thirty!!
Michael is a wonderful English teacher who is also passionate about history, particularly WWII. He was also the leader of our school’s first science themed trip which included the UK.
This itinerary is inspired by Michael!
England and Scotland boast scientific genius, literary brilliance, and historical wonder around every corner.
Science in London
Science buffs may want to begin at the Natural History Museum to travel through 4.6 billion years of Earth’s History. Next, visit the Royal Observatory to stand beneath the grand onion dome and marvel at one of the largest refracting telescopes in the world. Depending on your particular interests, perhaps a visit to the Faraday Museum to explore over 200 years of history-making science or maybe the Florence Nightingale Museum to celebrate the life and work of one of the best known figures in nursing history. You can even visit Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre or the homes of Benjamin Franklin and Charles Darwin. And this is just the short list!
Literature in London
Literary masters will want to begin with the bard himself at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Next, check out the British Library to see the Magna Carta, the Diamond Sutra, a Gutenberg Bible and even handwritten Beatles lyrics. If you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan, visit Baker Street or if Harry Potter is more your style, you can visit Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station. There’s also Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey, the Charles Dickens Museum and Bloomsbury Garden Squares to round out your Literary London tour.
History in London
History lovers will find themselves awestruck, all the time! A visit to the Tower of London will likely take the best part of the day as you find yourself tracing the steps of some of your favourite former kings and ill-fated queens of England. But, there’s only so much time so you’ll have to pry yourself away to visit Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul’s Cathedral. If you’re interest lies with more recent events, a visit to the Churchill War Rooms is a must as well as the Imperial War Museums. You can spend your entire visit amongst royalty, past and present by visiting Kensington, Buckingham, Hampton Court, and Eltham Palaces.
After such an impactful few days, you’ll be thankful for the 4.5 hour train ride to Scotland to give you time to reflect on all you’ve experienced. However, while Edinburgh is not as vast as London, it still holds many treasures to be discovered.
Science in Edinburgh
Physics lovers will want to pay homage to James Clerk Maxwell with a visit to his former home at 14 India St.
Literature in Edinburgh
Fans of J.K. Rowling will want to have tea at The Elephant House while leaving room for a visit to The Conan Doyle Pub a little later to honour this literary giant. There’s also the Scott Monument and Robert Stevenson’s childhood home as well as the Writers’ Museum & Makar’s Court to check out before the return home.
History in Edinburgh
Perhaps in this city, everyone becomes a history lover. Stroll through the magnificent Edinburgh Castle and St. Giles Cathedral. Leave time to explore Canongate Kirk, St. Mary’s Cathedral and Inchcolm Island. And finally, everyone will have to visit Greyfriars Kirkyard to see the statue of Greyfriars Bobby - indisputably man’s best friend!
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