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English and Literacy School Trips

From Spelling and Grammar to Saxons and Shakespeare

What English and literacy school trips in the UK inspire reading, writing, and Shakespeare for young learners?

English trips feature author visits, theatre performances, literary trails, and creative writing workshops - encouraging storytelling, poetry analysis, and language skills while tying into key texts and literacy goals.

Literacy is arguably the most important part of our National Curriculum. A good working knowledge and understanding of our first language is critical before we can really begin to explore other areas of the curriculum. A child who struggles with comprehension and communication will not understand what they are being taught in other subject areas, or will find it difficult to explain their answers. They could be naturally gifted for a subject like science, but without good reading, writing, speaking or listening skills, they are going to be held back.

International Literacy Day | September 2026

International Literacy Day on 8 September 2026 highlights how important reading and writing still are in our world. For UK schools it is a great chance to book trips that bring stories to life. Library visits, author workshops or even theatre trips based on favourite books all work brilliantly. We have options that link to every key stage and help pupils understand why literacy matters. Children who struggle with reading can find new motivation and create memories that last. If you are planning to tie in with International Literacy Day, find a range of excellent choices below.

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National Libraries Week School Trips UK | October 2026

National Libraries Week in October 2026 (theme 'Your Passport to Reading') highlights the magic of libraries and the joy of stories. UK schools can book visits to public or specialist libraries for author talks, storytelling sessions or creative writing workshops. You may be able to view specialist collections or learn new research skills. These trips make reading feel adventurous rather than routine, and many libraries run special events during the week. Celebrate National Libraries Week with a visit to your local library for free or low cost options. Or check below if you would like an in-school workshop. Plan early for reading adventures this October!

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National Poetry Day School Trips UK | 2 October 2026

National Poetry Day on 2 October 2026 is usually themed around creativity and expression. For school groups, it is a brilliant day to ignite a love of words in your class. Celebrate with visits to literary festivals or even historic sites linked to famous poets like Wordsworth or Keats. Pupils can write their own pieces, perform spoken word or explore poetry through drama and art. Poetry helps with literacy, emotional expression and confidence building. We have options from in-school workshops to gallery or theatre outings. Book early as these events are always popular.

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Clearly the classroom is a great place to teach basic literacy, but the benefits of a school trip, especially once they start to nurture their understanding of the history of language, should not be overlooked. The obvious destination for a school trip with a focus on English Language is the birth place of William Shakespeare; Stratford upon Avon. Also below you will also find inspiration from our other destinations which cover different periods in history, from the Anglo Saxon influence, through to the modern day. If you are looking for a school visit destination that offers high quality educational value for your English trip, you will find it here. Our trips and workshops cater for topics relating to SpaG, Stories and Folktalkes, Theatre and Film, Poets and Playwrights and much more.

Looking for a celebration of World Book Day or National Storytelling Week? We can help with that too.

Find a school trip or workshop for the following English topics: Charles Dickens, Composition, Comprehension, Creative writing, Fairy tales Myths and Legends, Heroes and villains, Journalism, Persuasive writing, Pirates, Poetry, Reading for pleasure, Roald Dahl, Shakespeare, Story writing, Storytelling, Superheroes, Vocabulary grammar and punctuation, Wild West Cowboys, World Book Day, and more.

Want to book English trips and workshops?

Let us find the perfect English school trip for your group




Popular school trip September 2026 !

Bewilderwood Norfolk

location icon East of England
apple iconArt, English, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Outdoor Learning


The park is based on the book, A Boggle at BeWILDerwood, by local children's author Tom Blofeld, offering a whole range of Literacy and performing arts fun - if you wish to read the books before your visit or extend your adventure back in the classroom, the books can be bought from BeWILDerwood's on...

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liverpool statues of the beetles
Liverpool for Primary & Middle Schools-Curriculum Travel
map pin North West

Enjoy a guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe theatre and museum and follow this with a fabulous West End show.
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view of Youth Hostel at stratford upon avon
YHA Stratford-upon-Avon
map pin West Midlands

There's more to Stratford-upon-Avon than Shakespeare - theatre, history and culture buffs of every language love this world-famous location. A superb base for groups and school trips in the West Midlands.
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Image showing a student enjoying an Animal VR workshop for schools KS2 KS3.
Animals VR Workshop - PrimeVR
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Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By exploring a variety of habitats around the world first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce...
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School children dressed as pirates
Pirate Workshop & Wow Day
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The Pirate workshop also provides a fantastic springboard for written English. Rich vocabulary, dramatic storytelling, characterful pirates and exciting settings give pupils plenty of inspiration for...
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children in a school theatre performance
West End Workshops
map pin London & South East

The spoken word is a powerful thing - some say it is mightier than the sward! Plays and poems were never written to be read - they were written to be performed and brought to life on stage....
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five children on a giant stand up paddleboard
Arc Adventures
map pin Wales

Hidden in the rural heart of Wales where Myth, Legend and history intertwine. We have our own breed of fairy tales with surreal Narratives all tied to its epic and inspiring landscape. What could be...
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Image for a school workshop for The Americas KS2
South America VR Workshop - PrimeVR
map pin in-school workshop

Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By travelling across South America first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce engaging creative...
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Image for China VR workshop for schools KS2 KS3
China VR Workshop - PrimeVR
map pin in-school workshop

Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By travelling across China first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce engaging creative writing,...
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school children on a bench in front of an old building
1620s House and Garden
map pin East Midlands

We help schools learn about English through talking to our volunteers about the history of the house and our beautifully restored period rooms. Our way of storytelling allows for an interactive and...
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poster about virtual reality
Wonders of the World: A VR Adventure
map pin in-school workshop

The experiences gained from our Ancient Greece workshop can help significantly with creative writing, story telling and story writing. The imagery generates conversation between the pupils and helps them record their thoughts in more specific descriptive detail.
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school children in a theatre lesson
Theatre Workout Education
map pin in-school workshop

Shakespeare never wrote a word to be studied, he wrote to be performed. Poetry isn't meant to be read, it should spoken aloud to hear the music in it's composition. Drama sits within English...
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school children learning about robotics
Intermediate OR Advanced STEMbotics Robotics & Coding Y4-Y11
map pin in-school workshop

We provide workshops that require children to engage in writing tasks through Minecraft. Children use Minecraft to explore a world, meet characters and use their interactions to write in a variety of genres. These sessions can be tailored to your topics or books.
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Image showing VR school workshops for KS2 KS3 tailored experiences fro schools.
Custom VR Adventures: Tailored Virtual Reality Experiences
map pin in-school workshop

The use of various multimedia including VR allows students a wider perspective within the specific subject areas and gives them greater opportunities for collaboration, speaking and listening. The...
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london bridge and the embankment
London Culture Tours History, Art, Literature and more
map pin London & South East

Literature in its context At Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and through literary walking tours or visits to the Charles Dickens Museum, students explore how place, language, and historical context shape storytelling and literary traditions.
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Image for a WW1 VR Workshops for schools.
WW1 VR Workshop - PrimeVR
map pin in-school workshop

Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By stepping inside reconstructed World War I trenches first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce...
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world war 2 virtual reality school workshop
WW2 VR Workshop - PrimeVR
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Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By travelling back to World War II first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce engaging diary...
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school classroom VR lesson
Wonders of the World VR Workshop - PrimeVR
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Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By visiting the New Seven Wonders of the World first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce engaging...
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Image for a school workshop for Chocolate making KS2
Chocolate Collective
map pin in-school workshop

Primary level Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. The children to make their own chocolates either at the end of their learning or in parallel. The children will get given lots of interesting facts about chocolate including where it comes from and how sustainable it is.
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Image for a North America Geography workshops for schools KS2
North America VR Workshop - PrimeVR
map pin in-school workshop

Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By travelling across North America first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce engaging creative...
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school classroom Virtual Reality lesson
Volcanoes VR Workshop - PrimeVR
map pin in-school workshop

Immersive experiences create memorable writing opportunities. By exploring volcanoes from around the world first-hand, pupils gain the ideas, vocabulary and inspiration needed to produce engaging...
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English & Literacy School Trips FAQ: Top Workshops, Free Visits and SEND Tips for Teachers

8 March 2026

Why take the class out for English when books are in the library?
A trip to Shakespeare's house or a theatre show makes the words jump off the page. Kids start quoting lines or writing stories inspired by what they’ve seen. It helps with literacy, speaking, and reading comprehension, especially when the curriculum demands creativity.

In-school literacy workshop or trip to a literary site - what's smarter?
Workshops with storytellers or poets (£150-£400) bring the magic to you if transport is tricky. Trips to Stratford or theatres add atmosphere you can't replicate. We use workshops for younger students and trips for older ones to build on texts they’re studying.

Free English spots that spark imagination?
British Library in London has free manuscript galleries; local parks for poetry walks. Shakespeare's Globe sometimes runs free tours. No entry fee lets you focus on the creative side without budget stress.

Top 10 English school trips teachers recommend (2026 check):

1. Shakespeare's Globe, London (plays, tours)
2. Stratford-upon-Avon (birthplace, RSC theatre)
3. British Library, London (manuscripts, free)
4. Brontë Parsonage, Haworth (Victorian literature)
5. Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden (storytelling)
6. In-school storyteller workshops (fairy tales)
7. Wordsworth House, Cumbria (Romantic poetry)
8. Jane Austen Centre, Bath (Regency era)
9. National Theatre, London (backstage)
10. Local libraries or book festivals (author meets)

How to make English trips inclusive for SEND?
Ask venues - Globe has signed performances; Dahl Museum has tactile exhibits. For workshops, use multi-sensory stories. Dyslexic students often thrive on audio tours - plan with visuals and short bursts to keep everyone engaged.

Budget for English outings - what's realistic?
- Free libraries + travel: £3-£10 per child
- Theatres/museums: £5-£15 entry
- Workshops: £150-£400
- Residential literature retreats: £120-£250 per child

Look for subsidised tickets for schools.

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From Reluctant Writers to Confident Storytellers: The Power of Drama in the Classroom

With such a strong national focus on raising literacy standards, many primary schools are asking the same question: how do we truly engage children in reading and writing? Recent data from the...

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Reading for Pleasure Teacher Training Resources that are Enthralling, Effective and Free

Your school is busy, budgets stretched, and demands high. But reading and writing for pleasure is not an 'extra' ' it's the foundation for developing confident, curious, and lifelong learners in all...

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Storytelling Makes Learning EPIC!

Epic's programmes are designed to raise reading and writing standards in schools, but also help schools deliver knowledge-rich lessons

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