Physics icon

Physics School Trips and Workshops

Sound, Light, Forces and magnets, Earth and space

PlanMySchoolTrip



What physics school trips in the UK best demonstrate forces, energy, motion, and electricity for secondary students?

Physics educational visits feature rocket launches, rollercoaster design challenges, and interactive exhibits on waves and magnetism, aligning directly with the secondary curriculum to help students visualise and experiment with core physics principles.

Physics, broadly speaking, looks at how matter moves through space and time and also the way energy and force has an effect on this movement. While the history of discovery and understanding through characters like Aristotle, Newton and Einstein, is an essential grounding for all students, especially as many of the discoveries are every bit as valid today as they were hundreds of years ago. Yet to teach a subject which for many is rather difficult to understand, in such a way as to engage students and help them make sense of it all, is the difference between being a physics teacher and being someone who really inspires.

Physics governs our very lives, so making this connection between those stuffy mathematical formulas that make your brain hurt, and the physics of the every day is really important. Chances are new technologies such as computers or nuclear energy will inspire your class. You could also look at physics in sport; how coaches and trainers looking to science to get the most of their athletes or why formula one teams spend millions researching and developing new technology to make their cars go faster. Or what about why athletes such as swimmers spend hours analysing their technique to ensure they move through the water with the greatest efficiency.

Space Week | October 2026

Space Week from 4-10 October 2026, with the theme 'The Rocket Revolution', is perfect for fuelling children's wonder about the universe. UK schools love booking trips to planetariums, science centres or observatories where children can find out more about rocket launches, and what it is like being an astronaut. From the National Space Centre in Leicester to Jodrell Bank in Cheshire, these science centres can tell you about the space race and moon landings, having the types of interactive exhibits that enthral primary school children. If you are looking for a Space Week school trip to boost your STEM learning, popular venues like the Science Museum's space shows book up months ahead.

calendar icon more themed events

You might be surprised how many physics school trips there are out there, from a short day trip to take part in hands-on experiments and demonstrations at a science centre in the UK, to a week long visit studying particle physics with 8,000 of the worlds leading scientists at CERN (see our European trips section), The European Organisation for Nuclear research in Switzerland, the opportunities to get your students learning about Earth and space outside the classroom are plentiful. For in-school see our space workshops page. Alternatively, study physics during British Science Week

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Physics topics: Aviation and Flight, Earth and space, Electricity and circuits, Forces, Forces and magnets, Fuels and Energy, Gears and Pulleys, Light, Planetarium, Rollercoasters, Seasonal change, Sound, Time, Weather, and more.

Want to book Physics trips and workshops?

Find the perfect Physics trip or workshop for your school group




Popular school trip May 2026 !

Day Trips at Willen Lake

location icon School Trip London & South East
apple icon Subjects: Geography, Environmental Geography, Physical Education, PSHE, Science, Physics, Watersports, Outdoor Learning


With Sailsports and Paddlesports, we can look at the use of the wind on the sail, and the water on the blade. We can focus on how this makes our craft move through the water and what helps to keep us balanced....

read more about
Day Trips at Willen Lake
first image
second image
main photo



Children learning at the MAD Museum in Warwickshire
The MAD Museum
map pin West Midlands

Covering Year 1-11. The MAD Museum supports the learning of sound, gravity, light, forces, magnets, air resistance, electricity and circuits. If you are teaching your learners about...
> read

A science exhibit at Cambridge Science Centre
Cambridge Science Centre
map pin East of England

Physics: Forces, motion, electricity, and light Light Forces Electricity Velocity Circuits Circuitry Please check out our different workshops by going to the Schools page on our website and downloading our brochure.
> read

educators with an inflatable dome
Portable Planetarium: Space & Astronomy
map pin in-school workshop

Our KS3+ Space show is an inspiring tour of our sun, solar system, galaxy and beyond. Our sun as a star, its birth, death and the evolution of other stars. Refresh your knowledge about the spin, orbit...
> read

globe showing the universe
Bring the Universe to your school
map pin in-school workshop

Engaging presenters and 360° projection technology bring the thrill of Space and wonder of the night sky to your school. Students & teachers are left with vivid and lasting memories to motivate...
> read

actor in astronaut clothing with a globe
Space Travel
map pin online/in-school workshop

As this workshop is all about our Solar System and space travel it touches on the topic of physics. This Space themed workshop should help to give children a better understanding of the exciting universe around us!
> read

school of noise logo
School of Noise
map pin in-school workshop

The workshops can help start or end a topic relating to sound and music. Our cross-curricular activities will help pupils to see links between subjects. For example, medical stethoscopes would also...
> read

school group watching a sound, light and forces interactive workshop
Physical Sciences: Light, Sound, Forces and Engineering
map pin in-school workshop

Light (EYFS/KS1/2/3): A fabulous, fun, high energy romp through light and colour. Investigate what light is, where it comes from, how it travels and how we see. This dazzling and enlightening display...
> read

actor holding a globe during a british science week school workshop
Science Week Spectacular
map pin in-school workshop

Dan Tastic Education uses a wide array of props, historical items, scientific equipment, videos, group discussion and teacher in role style student participation to cover the following topics during a...
> read

school classroom VR lesson
Space VR Workshop
map pin in-school workshop

PrimeVR can bring your science topic to life by blasting your pupils into space! Using virtual reality headsets, we'll introduce your class to the different planets in our Solar System, their...
> read

robotic lego creature
JuniorSTEM Lego Robotics
map pin in-school workshop

The models use gears, pulleys and levers to make them work. We offer a focused Gears & Pulleys workshop where children investigate how to 'gear up' & 'gear down' and the benefits of doing this.
> read

table in school hall with model of the solar system
Outer Space Workshop & Wow Day
map pin in-school workshop

Dan Tastic Education brings knights, castles, turrets & towers to life with an in school Space Workshop & Wow Day experience that works as the perfect topic hook for your pupils! Forget dry lists...
> read

magnet logo
Forces & Magnets
map pin in-school workshop

During the course of the workshop day, our drama facilitator will guide your class through the scientific concepts including push/pull forces, gravity, resistance, floating, sinking and magnets.
> read

Image for VR school workshops for space and Physics.
Virtual Reality - Space
map pin in-school workshop

The workshop enables pupils to appreciate and understand space visually while immersing themselves in our teacher-led virtual reality experience.
> read

planetarium view of the night sky
KS1-3 Space talks
map pin in-school workshop

Our shows are perfect for supporting curriculum-based Space Topics, and they can help students to understand simple principles of space science, such as Moon phases and orbits. We also incorporate...
> read

star and nebula
GCSE Astronomy
map pin in-school workshop

Our GCSE Astronomy Show is ideal for KS3, KS4, and anyone studying GCSE-level Astronomy and Space Physics as part of a Physics or Triple Science course. We can simulate the formation of the Solar...
> read

Image for a stem Lego Robotics school workshop KS2 KS3
JuniorSTEM Lego Robotics
map pin in-school workshop

The models use gears, pulleys and levers to make them work. We offer a focused Gears & Pulleys workshop where children investigate how to 'gear up' & 'gear down' and the benefits of doing this.
> read

three children with virtual reality headsets
Science VR Day
map pin in-school workshop

PrimeVR can bring your science topic to life by blasting your pupils into space! Using virtual reality headsets, we'll introduce your class to the different planets in our Solar System, their respective sizes, the Milky Way Galaxy and we'll even get to see the International Space Station!
> read

stars and dust cloud
Cosmic Chemistry
map pin in-school workshop

Our live shows include new discoveries in astronomy, and we explain them in a way that everyone can understand. We encourage questions, so please come prepared with some of your own. Our shows are...
> read

virtual planetarium with seats and a big screen showing space
Virtual Planetarium
map pin online/in-school workshop

Each session includes our award-winning live astronomer show lasting up to 1 hour Curriculum linked topics: day/night, moon phases, star navigation, constellations, observable planets, solar...
> read

educators with an inflatable dome
SEN & Special shows
map pin in-school workshop

Space and Stars Crawl down the tunnel to discover a world of planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, constellations and stories. Adults and children alike are fascinated by the wonders of space, and this show is always a best-seller as a pop-up family-friendly planetarium show!
> read

Physics School Trips - Frequently Asked Questions

1 March 2026

Why bother with physics trips?
Seeing forces in action makes concepts real - like dropping things from towers or riding rollercoasters to feel acceleration. It turns dry stuff (equations, waves) into something exciting, and for GCSE/A-level, it helps with practical requirements for exams.

Workshop in school or trip to a physics site?
Workshops are handy for controlled demos (magnets, electricity circuits) at £200-£500, especially if weather is bad. Trips to observatories or theme parks show real-world applications. We do workshops for Year 8 basics and trips for Year 11 when they need motivation.

Free physics options?
Yes - Science Museum's free physics galleries in London, local parks for gravity experiments, and university open days with telescopes or labs. Travel costs may apply.

Top 10 physics school trips (2026 check):

1. Science Museum, London (forces, energy exhibits, free)
2. National Space Centre, Leicester (rockets, gravity)
3. Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire (waves, astronomy)
4. Alton Towers or Thorpe Park (rollercoasters for motion)
5. Glasgow Science Centre (electricity, light shows)
6. Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh (earth forces, volcanoes)
7. In-school Physics Buskers workshops (demos, experiments)
8. Royal Observatory, Greenwich (time, space)
9. Catalyst Centre, Widnes (materials, energy)
10. Local wind farms (renewable energy tours)

Physics trips for SEND:
Ask venues upfront - National Space Centre has accessible planetarium; theme parks have quiet zones. Workshops can use tactile demos like magnets. Small groups at observatories work well with extra planning.

Budget guide:
- Free museums + transport: £5-£14 per kid
- Space centres: £8-£18 entry
- Workshops: £200-£500
- Theme park days: £15-£30 (with education packs)

Look for school rates and book in bulk for savings.


feature thumbnail
Florida: The Place for Space
Physics Overseas

Florida is a premier destination for space education, blending a rich spaceflight legacy with cutting-edge innovation and hands-on learning. Home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, the state offers students direct access to active launch sites and historic NASA missions. Florida Film...

> read
feature thumbnail
360° Digital Domes Cover ALL Subjects
Physics Workshops

Digital planetariums now offer more than just astronomy and Space. Our extensive immersive show catalogue also covers under the sea, geography, history, dinosaurs, evolution, maths, geology, human biology, environmental science, art and music. Your booking allows you an unlimited choice of shows...

> read

Get Physics school trip offers by email

Unsubscribe at any time, we won't share your email with anyone else, just send you all the best offers and ideas for your next class trip!

envelope icon Subscribe