Who is a geography school trip for?
Geography is a broad subject, there’s no doubt about that. From the ecosystems and natural phenomena that make up our world to the impacts of humanity on the planet — it encompasses a vast array of topics.
As a result, there’s something for students to gain from a geography trip at every level of study.
Younger students on a primary school geography trip can get first-hand experience learning about our natural habitats and the earth's features, like rivers, mountains, and more.
Older students at a secondary school or college level can enrich their studies with trips focused on the impact of urbanisation, to give one example.
What are the benefits of a geography school trip?
Learning in a classroom has its benefits, but nothing compares to seeing a volcano in person or witnessing the impact of erosion from a roaring river first-hand.
There are several benefits for your students’ studies when they take part in a geography trip. For example, geography school trips present an opportunity to:
- Reinforce key concepts covered in lessons
- Bring course materials to life
- Enable students to view things critically and come to their own conclusions
- Improve student attainment, potentially improving Ofsted ratings as a result
Where can you go for a geography school trip?
Geography is the study of the world around us, and the brilliant thing about it is that learning opportunities can be found almost anywhere.
We offer a range of exciting international destinations for geography school trips. Here are our most popular destinations.
Iceland
With volcanoes, fjords, high mountain peaks, glaciers, and more — it’s safe to say that there is nowhere in the world quite like Iceland. A geography school trip to Iceland will expose students to a range of rare geographical phenomena, all in one place.
Bay of Naples
Best-known as the location of the historically significant — and still active — volcano, Mount Vesuvius. A geography school trip to the Bay of Naples promises a volcanic expedition students won’t forget, along with opportunities to visit the ancient city of Pompeii.
Barcelona
Explore urban environments, visit volcanic natural parks, and spend a day at an agricultural park on one of our unmissable geography school trips to Barcelona.
London
If travelling abroad isn’t part of your plan, there’s a whole host of geography learning experiences for students closer to home. Our Geography trips to London include several themed walking tours led by expert guides, with a particular focus on regeneration. We also offer a brand new tour that focuses on sustainability, looking at London as a sustainable city and exploring various green initiatives from the private sector.
10 exciting geography school trip ideas
Looking for ideas on where to take your students? Here are 10 geography school trip ideas from across Europe that are sure to give your students a learning experience they’ll never forget.
1. Take part in Earth Summit Can you add this as no 1 in the list please?
Earth Summit at Keele University educates 14-18 year-old students on climate change causes and impacts through interactive workshops, fostering critical thinking and sustainable development goals. Afterwards, students can relax with a fun day at Alton Towers theme park, providing a well-deserved break.
Learn more about Earth Summit.
2. Experience British Wildlife up close at the London Wetland Centre
Offering close views of nature — including wetland birds — and a wide variety of wetland habitats to explore, the WWT Wetland Centre in London is the perfect way to witness wildlife in its natural environment.
Learn more about our trips to the WWT Wetland Centre.
3. Learn about flood prevention at the Thames Barrier
Explore the world's largest movable flood barrier on a guided tour featuring a working model, a construction video, and an up-close view of the barrier. The tour concludes with a 90-minute talk on the River Thames' history, London's flood risks, and the river's environment and wildlife.
Learn more about our trips to the Thames Barrier.
4. Stand at the peak of Mount Vesuvius
This is a must-see for any group visiting the region. After your coach takes you most of the way up, a guide will lead you on a secure path for the last 200m to the active crater's rim, where you'll enjoy spectacular views and learn about the volcano's history and its most famous eruption.
At the nearby Vesuvius Observatory, expert guides offer educational tours in volcanology and geophysics, showcasing geophysics instruments, rock collections from recent eruptions, and real-time seismic and geochemical data.
5. Witness tectonic shifts at the Phlegraean Fields
This area west of Naples offers a full day of geographical exploration, starting in Pozzuoli with the Temple of Serapide, where tectonic uplift is evident in the rising and falling columns. Next, your geography class will climb Monte Nuovo, a cinder cone volcano formed in 1538. Cap it all off with a visit to Lake Avernus, a volcanic crater lake in the Avernus crater and part of the Campanian volcanic arc.
Learn more about our trips to the Phlegraean Fields.
6. Float through the Pertosa Caves
An ideal addition to an Amalfi Coast drive, these caves in the Alburni Mountains span about three thousand feet, nestled in stunning natural surroundings. With a guide, take an unusual boat trip on the underground Negro River through archaeologically significant caves, followed by a visit to a modern multimedia museum showcasing the local biodiversity.
Learn more about our trips to the Pertosa Caves.
7. See a naturally formed lava tube at Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel
Discover the Lava Tunnel, Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland's longest and most notable lava tubes, just a 30-minute drive from Reykjavík and open year-round. Witness the raw beauty of a volcanic lava tube, learn about Earth's powerful natural forces, and see natural ice sculptures up close in winter.
Learn more about trips to Raufarhólshellir.
8. Immerse yourselves in natural hot springs at the Blue Lagoon
Set in a surreal landscape of lava fields, the Blue Lagoon on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula offers a unique experience of soaking in warm, mineral-rich waters from 2,000 meters below the surface. This man-made lagoon, fed by water from the Svartsengi power plant, perfectly balances nature and sustainable energy use.
Learn more about our trips to the Blue Lagoon.
9. View the "Ash Cloud" volcano at Thorsmork Valley
Board your 4x4 coach and journey towards Thorsmork, a stunning nature reserve nestled among three glaciers, including Eyjafjallajökull, whose 2010 eruption caused the infamous ash cloud that disrupted Europe. Navigate rough mountain tracks and cross unbridged glacial rivers inaccessible to ordinary vehicles to reach this remote destination.
Learn more about our trips to Thorsmork Valley.
10. Go on a coastal landscape and ecosystem analysis study day
Explore the coastal landscape and ecosystem of Costa Brava-Cap Creus from the Bay of Roses, starting with a morning landscape interpretation session focused on geology, human impact, and key landscape features. After lunch, continue with your guide to study coastal maritime ecosystem theories and help to gather data at two separate locations.
Learn more about our Barcelona study days.
