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Design and Technology School Trips

Innovative problem solving

How can UK schools find design and technology trips to teach practical skills, materials, and innovation?

Design technology visits include maker spaces, engineering centres, and product design workshops - helping students prototype, evaluate, and create while linking to curriculum projects.

A recurring theme when teachers are asked what they are looking to get from their trip, is problem solving skills - a key aspect of the Design and Technology teaching at KS2 and KS3. Designed to feed children's creativity and imagination, Design and Technology draws on skills from a broad range of other curriculum subject, from maths and science to art and design.

Whatever your design and technology topic, we can help find a school visit that will complement your class activities and inspire your pupils' creativity and understanding. We have visits that focus on scientific inventions, modern architecture, pre-historic technology right through to the Age of Enlightenment. We have trips that will teach your class about how mining methods have changed through the years, and about how cutting edge design is helping to solve the energy problem.

If you need anything more ideas, please use the short form on this page to let us know your design and technology learning objective. Related topics include Cooking and Nutrition, Engineering and Art.

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Design Technology topics: 3D Printing, Architecture, Electronics, Fashion and textiles, Made to measure, Materials, Mechanics and engineering, Virtual Reality, and more.

Want to book Design Technology trips and workshops?

Let us find the perfect Design & Technology experience experience for your school trip




Popular school workshop August 2026 !

STEM Fairs

location icon All UK Regions
apple iconDesign Technology, Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, SEN


Immersive Experiences' VR programs cover the greatest variety of shows ' more than any planetarium in the world, with over 200 experiences to enjoy. Bring learning and entertainment together A personal experience Perfect for SEN, SLD, PMLD audiences Fully accessible for ages 10...

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View of Cleeve Abbey gateway
Cleeve Abbey
map pin South West

Use a school trip to Cleeve Abbey to expand your pupils' learning of history of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day.
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trojan horse model make during a school workshop
Trojan Horse
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build. Construction Elements...
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Viking longboat workshop in a school hall
Viking Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

We only use two materials in the majority of our workshops; dowel and rubber bands. Using these simple materials pupils can easily grasp the importance of triangulation and strong bond in structures,...
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pendennis castle
Pendennis Castle
map pin South West

Use the 'Build me a Fortress!' activity in the Teachers' Kit, available from the English Heritage website, to understand how the castle was built and the materials used, and then create your own model fortress back in the classroom.
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3D design technology workshop
Early Engineers Express
map pin in-school workshop

Designing and making; building structures; exploring mechanisms Our workshop focuses on hands-on exploration, enabling children to make sense of the "made world" through construction and material...
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KS1 child with a magnifying glass on a bug hunt
Day Visits
map pin London & South East

These programmes focus on the epic design of Lee Valley VeloPark and how the features of the giant in London's landscape help make the venue a success after the Olympics. Now including the new Lee...
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island classroom logo
Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom STEM Trips with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

The Isle of Wight is home to many fascinating and innovative companies who can impart real-life practical examples of the use of design and technology on visiting groups. From electronic products...
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school class making a bridge during a stem workshop
Bridge Building / Bridges, Maths & Design
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build.
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London street scene
School Residentials in London
map pin London & South East

Head to the capital to bring learning alive with a huge variety of activities and sights - not forgetting 22 National Museums on offer. Discover Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, along with the Eye, Madame Tussauds and London Dungeons.
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building at the hive activity centre
Unforgettable Residentials at The Hive
map pin London & South East

Shelter Building - Work in groups to plan and build a shelter in the forest using natural materials. Challenge to make the shelter warm, stable and waterproof. Curriculum links: Design and Technology (Make; Evaluate; Technical knowledge);
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school workshop showing children building a bridge
Bridge Building For KS1
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build.
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child wearing safety goggles for a school science workshop
Fab Science In-school Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

The Big STEM Challenge: work as a team to build a HUGE pyramid in your school hall. Find out about the varied roles in construction, from structural engineers to demolition experts! The structure is 4M tall and a whole class and fit inside it. Also works well for an engineering topic.
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group of school children with brightly coloured backpacks
Creative School Trips
map pin London & South East

We offer workshops rooted in set design, and offer a range of bespoke theatrical tours and activities which may cover costume design, lighting and sound design, wigs, make-up design and more. We...
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military aeroplane at cosford raf base
Cosford Exhibition-Cold War
map pin West Midlands

Design Technology forms a cornerstone of our educational tours at the Cosford Exhibition-Cold War, provided in collaboration with Battlefield and History Tours. This program is meticulously crafted to...
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Orford Castle
Orford Castle
map pin East of England

Discover one of England's most complete and unusual keeps, at this fascinating visitor attraction in Suffolk. The unique polygonal tower keep of Orford Castle stands beside the pretty town and former port, which Henry II also developed here.
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Victorian history workshop in a school hall
Victorian Workshop
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build
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school children working with cryptography puzzle
Cybersecurity & Cryptography Workshop - Y5-Y9
map pin in-school workshop

This workshop involves students building robots from instructions that can teach them about various mechanisms including cams, levers and pulleys, and gearing. If you would like us to focus the...
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logo for education destination
Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

The Isle of Wight is home to many fascinating and innovative companies who can impart real-life practical examples of the use of design and technology on visiting groups. From electronic products...
> read

two children flying drone during stem workshop
STEMdrones - Drone Coding Y5-Y13
map pin in-school workshop

As part of the workshop students will learn about the principles of flight, and will begin to understand how the design of aircraft enables them to take to the skies.
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Tudor history workshop in a school hall
Tudor Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

Construction Elements Included, where pupils have to follow instructions together to form the structure, so need to help and guide one another to ensure a successful build. We demonstrate how simple materials can be used to make strong structures
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Design Technology School Trips FAQ: Workshops, Factory Visits and SEND Tips for Teachers

7 January 2026

Design Technology School Trips FAQ: Workshops, Factory Visits and SEND Tips for Teachers

Why take Design Technology classes on trips?
Design Technology trips allow pupils to see how products are designed and made in real settings such as factories, museums, or maker spaces. Students learn about materials, manufacturing processes, and product design beyond the classroom workshop. These visits often inspire more creative project ideas and support practical curriculum work.

DT workshop at school or visit out - which works best?
Workshops bring tools and materials directly to school (£200-£500) and allow pupils to build or prototype products. Visits to design museums or manufacturing sites provide real world inspiration. Many schools use workshops for developing practical skills and visits to show how design works in industry.

Free Design Technology places schools can visit?
Yes. The V and A Museum design galleries in London offer free entry. Some maker markets and design exhibitions are also free for school groups. Many museums allow educational group bookings without entry fees, though travel costs still apply.

Top 10 Design Technology school trips teachers recommend (2026 check):

1. V and A Museum, London (design galleries, free)
2. Science Museum, London (inventions and engineering)
3. Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire (historic engineering)
4. In-school maker workshops (prototyping and product design)
5. Thinktank, Birmingham (technology and product design)
6. Eden Project, Cornwall (sustainable design ideas)
7. National Railway Museum, York (train engineering and design)
8. Glasgow Science Centre (technology and innovation)
9. Local manufacturing factories (product tours)
10. Kew Gardens, London (nature inspired design)

Design Technology trips for SEND pupils - what helps?
Museums such as the V and A provide tactile exhibits and accessible displays. Workshops can adapt tools and materials for different motor abilities. Larger construction pieces and simplified instructions often work well. Checking accessibility and planning extra adult support helps ensure all pupils can participate.

Typical cost for Design Technology trips:
- Free museums plus travel: £5-£15 per child
- Visitor centres: £8-£18 entry
- Workshops: £200-£500
- Residential design or maker camps: £150-£280 per child

Schools can sometimes apply for grants or industry sponsorship to support Design Technology learning activities.


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