LONDON 2025
What an inspiring way to experience history and drama. Eighteen adventurous travellers (students from Grades 8-11, along with three chaperones), had the most unforgettable experience!
WE HAVE LANDED!
The dorms are pretty quiet as I write this, and no wonder. We started the journey riding the Canada Line from Waterfront Station and were riding the Waterloo Line from Paddington Station within 24 hours. A lucky few got to peek into the cockpit after our overnight flight. The mini-baguettes were a popular choice at Marks & Spencers (M&S) supermarket, as was fresh fruit. We significantly increased the weight of our hand luggage at Hatchard’s Books, and popped in at Fortnum & Mason (several loved-ones will be receiving gifts of tea). We ended the evening riding a double-decker bus through the sparkling streets of London at night. A highlight was emerging from the narrow tunnels and stairways of the Underground directly into the bright lights and open space of Piccadilly Circus under a dark evening sky: “It’s like a movie,” I heard a student say.
CONQUERING LONDON: A DAY OF SIGHTS AND HISTORY
Jet lag was swiftly defeated with a hearty hostel breakfast, setting the stage for an action-packed London debut. Our tour bus zipped us through the capital, giving us the grand tour of iconic sights including the London Eye, the majestic Tower of London, London Bridge, the imposing silhouette of Big Ben, the regal beauty of Buckingham Palace, and the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, soaking up so much of London’s sights and history. A traditional pub lunch at The Sanctuary House Hotel allowed us to refuel, where we indulged in classic fish and chips, alongside burgers, steak, and other delightful meals. We then continued our journey through history at Westminster Abbey, where students were awestruck, getting up close with centuries of stunning Gothic architecture and the tombs of monarchs and great historical figures. Dinner was a relaxed affair at the Italian spot, Zizzi’s, and we wrapped up the day on a high note, utterly enchanted by the incredible visual storytelling and costumes of the “My Neighbour Totoro” stage show—a truly magical end to a our day!
VISITING THE TOWER
We began today at the Tower of London, where a Tudor-era costumed guide led us through the grounds, sharing harrowing tales of prisoners and occupants before we got an incredible, up-close view of the dazzling Crown Jewels and regalia. After a lovely lunch at the Tower restaurant, we used our audio guides to explore further, visiting the White Tower, Traitor’s Gate, and the wonderful Ravens of the Tower. Our day concluded with an exciting walk across London Bridge, catching the special moment it opened for a passing boat, before we settled down for a much-deserved dinner at Wagamama. As we wandered back to our hotel, we encountered our St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe, the Golden Hind and Millenium Bridge. Exhausted after all the walking and exploration, we are now ready for a good night’s rest!
HANDS ON WITH HISTORY
We kicked things off with a fascinating and powerful visit to the Imperial War Museum. It was incredible to get hands-on with history, especially for our students. They dived into sections covering both WW1 and WW2, and it was particularly eye-opening for them to see these momentous events presented from a distinctly British perspective, a shift from the North American context they’re used to learning about in the classroom. Their engagement was high, and it was clear they were really grasping the significance of the topics they interacted with.
After the museum, we had a truly unique experience: a trip down into the Churchill War Rooms. Stepping into this complex underground structure felt like entering a time capsule. It’s preserved exactly as it was left in the final days after the war ended in 1945. Walking through the narrow halls, seeing the map rooms and private offices, really brought home just how vital this secret headquarters was in shaping the course of the war and the daily lives of the people who worked within it.
To refuel after all that history, we had a lovely dinner at Franco Manca, enjoying their delicious sourdough crust pizza—a perfect, casual London meal. The evening ended on a high note with a huge dose of laughter! We went to see “The Play That Goes Wrong,” and it was absolutely side-splitting. It’s a masterful display of British slapstick and theatrical melodrama. Our entire group was roaring with laughter as we watched the show literally fall apart before our very eyes. A perfect antidote to the heavy history of the day!
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Today, we took a short trip outside London to see the amazing history of Hampton Court Palace. This huge house gave us a look into the lives of two very different kings. As soon as we walked in, we felt like we were back in the time of Henry VIII. We walked through the same rooms where the King and his six wives lived out their dramatic, political lives. It was fascinating to see the enormous Tudor kitchens, which showed how big the palace was, and the royal rooms full of artefacts. These items gave us a great look at the incredible wealth and luxury of the Tudor Era. The second part of the palace was very different! It was dedicated to William III and showed off beautiful Baroque art and design. The change from the sturdy, red brick of the Tudor section to the light, fancy decorations of the Baroque style was striking.
Spending the day walking through the different parts of the palace led to some great chats with our students. We talked about all the different artworks and artefacts we saw, and what life was really like for the monarchs in the past. Learning history this way is the best! After a long, busy day of exploring and discovering, we’re heading in for an early night. We need to get a good rest so we’re ready for our next adventure tomorrow!
SOAKING UP BATH
We swapped the hustle of London for the tranquility of the countryside, boarding a picturesque train ride that whisked us away to the stunning city of Bath. Our first stop, and a perfect start to the day, was the Jane Austen Centre. It was fascinating to dive into the life and accomplishments of the famous author and get a genuine peek into the Regency Era in England. The students loved soaking up the atmosphere, and a few even embraced the the task of dressing in their best gentlemanly clothing—a truly brilliant effort! Next, we took a break to enjoy our packed lunches before exploring to the Museum of Bath. This was a journey through a different kind of history, taking us from the Industrial Age right up to the Modern Age. Our fantastic tour guide provided an in-depth look at the local industries and the fascinating machinery of the age. Then, it was time to travel even further back! We found ourselves immersed in the ancient world at the magnificent Roman Baths. Surrounded by the steam and incredible archaeological remnants, we gained a deep appreciation for Roman culture and society. This was certainly a big highlight for many of our students this trip!
Our final adventure of the day was No. 1 Royal Crescent. We were treated to the ultimate experience: after-hours private access! This gave us a special look inside a fully staged Regency home. A captivating story was woven for us, detailing the life of an aristocratic family as they prepared their two daughters for the all-important social season. It was the perfect finale, bringing the history we’d studied all day vividly to life. Now, we’re comfortably enjoying our train ride back to London, tired but filled with fantastic memories. Time for a well-earned, good night of sleep!
ROYALTY, ROCK STARS AND WIZARDS
Today felt like a well-earned pause button on our whirlwind adventure! After days of clocking up some serious mileage on foot, we indulged in a much-deserved lie-in, finally rolling out of bed at the leisurely hour of 9 am. Nothing beats a proper night’s sleep, especially when you’re exploring London at a fast pace! Our day of high culture kicked off at the National Portrait Gallery. It’s a fantastic place where history stares right back at you! We wandered amongst the prized works, meeting history’s regents and getting up close and personal with modern-era icons like Paul McCartney and Queen Elizabeth II. Our students spent a good chunk of time genuinely engaging with the diverse portraits, debating and discussing the stories behind the faces that had caught their eyes.
Today felt like a well-earned pause button on our whirlwind adventure! After days of clocking up some serious mileage on foot, we indulged in a much-deserved lie-in, finally rolling out of bed at the leisurely hour of 9 am. Nothing beats a proper night’s sleep, especially when you’re exploring London at a fast pace! Our day of high culture kicked off at the National Portrait Gallery. It’s a fantastic place where history stares right back at you! We wandered amongst the prized works, meeting history’s regents and getting up close and personal with modern-era icons like Paul McCartney and Queen Elizabeth II. Our students spent a good chunk of time genuinely engaging with the diverse portraits, debating and discussing the stories behind the faces that had caught their eyes.
Then came one of the day’s most unique moments—lunch! We headed to The Crypt, a truly memorable spot tucked beneath St Martin-in-the-Fields church. Dining in this cavernous space, styled almost like catacombs, felt like a proper secret London experience. The students tucked into some genuine British favourites—think classic fish and chips and hearty roast beef.
The afternoon brought the main event: the much-anticipated play, Harry Potter & the Cursed Child. It was nothing short of thrilling! We were swept away by the magical, sometimes jaw-dropping, sights and theatrical wizardry of the performance. The discussions flowed thick and fast afterwards, with the students debating the storytelling and how this new chapter fit into the overall Harry Potter universe they know so well. During the interval between the two parts, we ventured into Covent Garden for dinner. This was a spot they immediately recognised from our sightseeing bus tour at the start of the trip! After a great meal, it was time for a bit of classic London fun: souvenir shopping and grabbing some sweets from the local market vendors. We even got to enjoy the talents of a street magician right there in the Piazza—a little extra dose of street magic to cap off the theatrical theme! Overall, it was a truly wonderful and magical day, blending relaxation, culture, and pure theatre. We covered royalty, rock stars, and the wizarding world—a perfect slice of London life!
WE LOVE MUSEUMS!
Today’s adventure took us straight to the Natural History Museum. It was a bustling and comprehensive museum featuring incredible dinosaur animatronics, including a roaring T-Rex! There was also a fantastic exhibit on the human impact on the world and how we shape it. After a lovely lunch at the museum, we further explored marine life, mammals, and earth science. A few brave souls even tried out the earthquake simulator! A highlight for several students was the geology exhibit, featuring many incredible stone collections, and even some world-famous diamonds like the infamous Hope diamond.
We then moved over to the Science Museum, where our first stop was the aeronautics and flight exhibitions. These showcased many models of planes and engines, and celebrated the figures who revolutionised Britain’s flight industry. We then travelled over to the medicine exhibit, journeying through time to visit both historic apothecaries and modern hospital technology. Our final stop was the mathematics wing, exploring all the applications of maths in the world around us. Our next stop was the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), where our students enjoyed the art and a delightful tea time—swapping invigorating chatter over sweets and piping hot tea.
Afterwards, we went to King’s Cross Station to see the famous Platform 9 ¾, and several students purchased some great Potter souvenirs. We stopped for some dinner and then made it to our last stop: The British Library. We found ourselves in the special collections gallery, viewing extraordinary documentation like Beethoven’s handwritten musical scores, Shakespeare’s First Folio, and the Magna Carta. Every student was able to find something incredible and meaningful to them in this special section of the library. Today we covered some great distance! My current step count is at 19,148 steps—so I imagine all our students are resting their tired feet and will enjoy a lovely sleep this eve!
THE GLOBE
This morning, we hopped on the train and headed straight for the iconic Globe Theatre. We were so lucky to receive a private tour from one of the Globe actors, who took us on a fascinating journey through the history of Shakespeare’s playhouses and their reception in London over the years. We even managed to snag some early access into the theatre itself—and got a sneak peek at the rehearsals for an upcoming production of Pinocchio! After the tour, our students plunged right into our workshop. Our guide had us running through some energetic acting exercises and helped set the stage (pun intended!) with some non-spoiler context for the play we were about to see.
This morning, we hopped on the train and headed straight for the iconic Globe Theatre. We were so lucky to receive a private tour from one of the Globe actors, who took us on a fascinating journey through the history of Shakespeare’s playhouses and their reception in London over the years. We even managed to snag some early access into the theatre itself—and got a sneak peek at the rehearsals for an upcoming production of Pinocchio! After the tour, our students plunged right into our workshop. Our guide had us running through some energetic acting exercises and helped set the stage (pun intended!) with some non-spoiler context for the play we were about to see.
After a quick lunch, we took our seats in the absolute best spot in the house: the centre balcony. (Shakespearean history buffs will know these have been quite the prized seats for noble lords and ladies throughout history!) With ice cream firmly in hand, we watched a truly dazzling and spectacular production of Twelfth Night. It was filled with gorgeous costumes, festive musical moments, and genuinely hilarious comedy. Our students all loved the grand experience.
Before dinner, we took a brief stop at the Tate Modern Museum. We got to engage with some incredible contemporary and modern art pieces from both local artists and some famous names like Salvador Dalí and Edgar Degas. Students gained new skills in how to interpret modern and contemporary pieces (thanks, Mr de Beer!) and we had some excellent discussion afterwards about the different works that spoke to them. Only two sleeps left in this wonderful city! We’ll be making the most of every last minute!
FINAL CELEBRATIONS
Our final full day in London took us straight to the British Museum where it truly felt like we travelled the world in a span of mere hours. We took in grand historical artefacts such as the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, the bust of Ramses II, and even some impressive totem poles from the Haida and Nisga’a people of BC. After a lunch break, students were able to chase down their interests and favourite artefacts in this grand museum, finding everything from Mesopotamia to modern-day Britain. This was certainly an excellent high point to complete our museum visits on. Afterwards, we completed one more essential visit to Piccadilly Circus, where we stepped into the largest bookshop in all of Europe at Waterstones. Many students left the building with new beloved titles—a complete thrill to see as an English teacher!
As a sweet celebration for our final night in London, we enjoyed a special dinner at Piccolino, where students conversed about our favourite trip highlights over delicious Italian food. On our walk to the theatre, we happened upon an ice cream shop, and took the moment to treat ourselves Our final play of the trip was the musical, Oliver! This production delighted us with energetic musical dance numbers, beautiful singing, flawless set movements, and well-timed comedic moments. It was certainly a high note to end our trip on.
In all our conversations with students throughout the trip—whether over dinner, on the Tube, or at the end of museum galleries —many have shared their enjoyment over how each day of this trip has offered new and unique opportunities and great moments of comparison between our day-to-day. The many genres of plays we’ve encountered and the great contrast of historical timelines we’ve seen in museums has cultivated so many wonderful moments of conversation between our students and has helped our group to forge lasting memories. They’ll take these experiences forward to their work in the classrooms and beyond in their lives ahead. From the bottom of my heart, I offer great thanks to Sarah for her tireless planning and fearless leadership on the streets and underground of London—all her Herculean efforts have provided us with so many unforgettable experiences!
Author
Mhairin Ratushny
Teacher
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