Blitz London! The Capital in Wartime

This tour looks at the London Blitz during WW2, as well as visiting the Runnymede Memorial where Battle of Britain pilots are commemorated alongside SOE agents. We also go to see the Cabinet War Rooms, with a visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker on our 2-day tour option.

Duration
1 - 2 Days
Key Stage
KS 3, 4
Guides
1-2

Overview

By the summer of 1940, Europe was occupied by Nazi Germany. As the war moved to the air, the Battle of Britain was fought in the skies over Southern England, eventually leading to the bombing of London and other cities. The Blitz killed more than 60,000 civilians and brought untold horror to the Home Front.

Study Themes and Curricular Links

  • KS3 Curriculum - The Second World War and the Wartime Leadership of Winston Churchill

  • OCR GCSE Syllabus – British Depth Study- How far did British society change 1939-1975?

  • AQA GCSE Syllabus – Historical Enquiry- The British People in War

  • EdExcel GCSE Syllabus - The Impact of War on Britain c1903-c1954

Tour Includes


  • Specialist Guide for Blitz Walk

  • Talk lead by representative of Commonwealth War Graves Commission

  • Entrance fees to all places of interest/museums

  • Coach Travel from your school

  • Holts Teachers Pack

  • London in WW2 Resources Pack

  • 2-day option only: 1 breakfast, 1 packed lunch, 1 evening meal


From £39 per student

Enquire Now

We offer flexible payment options

1-Day Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - Runnymede and London

We depart our school early and travel to West London where we start at the Runnymede Memorial. This commemorates more than 20,000 men and women who have no known grave. Among them are RAF Pilots who died in the Battle of Britain, those who defended London and Special Operations Executive (SOE) personnel who were recruited in London, including Noor Inayat Khan: an Indian Princess who died in Dachau in 1944 and was awarded the George Cross. Here we will have a talk from a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission about the work they do and the importance of the memorial.

From here we travel into Central London and meet with our Specialist Guide who will take the students on a WW2 Blitz Walk looking at sites and buildings connected to the London Blitz.

We will finish the day with a visit to the Imperial War Museum Cabinet War Rooms which were at the heart of wartime government and where Prime Minister Winston Churchill was based.*

We then board our Executive Coach and return to our school late in the evening

*School to book this part separately to qualify for special rate.

Firewatchers Memorial St Pauls
Firewatchers Memorial St Pauls
Included Highlights
  • Runnymede

  • WW2 Blitz Walk

  • Firewatchers Memorial St Pauls

  • Imperial War Museum Cabinet War Rooms

2-Day Sample Itinerary

Want to make your tour in London a little bit more special? Spend your night onboard HMS Belfast!

Day 1 - Runnymede and London

We depart our school early and travel to West London where we start at the Runnymede Memorial. This commemorates more than 20,000 men and women who have no known grave. Among them are RAF Pilots who died in the Battle of Britain, those who defended London and Special Operations Executive (SOE) personnel who were recruited in London, including Noor Inayat Khan: an Indian Princess who died in Dachau in 1944 and was awarded the George Cross. Here we will have a talk from a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission about the work they do and the importance of the memorial.

From here we travel into Central London and meet with our Specialist Guide who will take the students on a WW2 Blitz Walk looking at sites and buildings connected to the London Blitz.

We will finish the day with a visit to the Imperial War Museum Cabinet War Rooms which were at the heart of wartime government and where Prime Minister Winston Churchill was based.*

We book into our Student Hostel accommodation and enjoy our evening meal.

*School to book this part separately to qualify for special rate.

Included meals: Dinner

London
WW2 Blitz Walk
Included Highlights
  • Runnymede

  • Imperial War Museum Cabinet War Rooms

  • WW2 Blitz Walk

Day 2 - London in WW2 and RAF Uxbridge

We travel to the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth for a visit to the galleries connected to the Second World War. This is Britain’s main war museum and has one of the largest collections of artefacts connected to the Blitz.

After lunch we travel to former RAF Uxbridge and visit the Battle of Britain Command Bunker. This was used as an operational control room from 1940 to direct Fighter Command’s defence of Britain from German bombers during the Blitz.

Students can explore the Visitor Centre, as well as attend a 60 minute school session, followed by a 30 minute private tour of the bunker.

From here we travel back to the school for a late return.

Included meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch

London
Imperial War Museum Cabinet War Rooms
Included Highlights
  • RAF Uxbridge

  • Imperial War Museum Cabinet War Rooms

HMS Belfast Option

Sleep overnight on board HMS Belfast and experience life below deck on the River Thames! Up to 52 children (26 boys and 26 girls) with 6 accompanying adults can stay on board in real sailors’ bunks.

This option includes breakfast and a complimentary morning learning session* where children can discover the stories of the men who lived and worked on board this warship during D-Day and beyond.

*dependent on availability.

View Historic Battleship HMS Belfast docked
Sleep overnight on board HMS Belfast
Included Highlights
  • Sleep overnight on board HMS Belfast

Ready to Book?

If you would like more information or would like to customise this tour to suit your needs, get in touch today.

Reasons to book with us

Tailor Made Tours

Each of our tours are tailor made to suit your school’s specific requirements.

Specialist Guides

Our team of experienced specialist guides are both passionate and knowledgeable.

Curriculum Highlights

Our tours are carefully designed to meet the aims of the National Curriculum.

Safe & Secure

You can rest assured that your school trips are safe and financially secured.