Figure 1.--This was a British school trip to Leysin, Switzerland in 1960. It is a secondary school, but I'm not sure what type of school it was. The boys on thid trip look to be mostly wearing school uniform items, although the uniform rules were loosely enforced. Notice that some boys are wearing ties.

England has a wealth of such sites that make for great school trips. Not only are there world-class museums, but a wide range of fascinating castles, palaces, historic homes, Riman ruins, and much more. Some of the earliest museums are located in England. They range from the Victoria and Albert and British Museum to Kew Gardens, perhaps the greatest botanical gardens in the world. There are wonderful Roman ruins, such as Hadrian's wall. Within a few hours drive of anyehere in England there are a wide range of wondeful sites for field trips. Some of the most famous sites such as Hadrian's Wall require a trip length that make a day trip difficult. There were also a variety of other activities for which trips were required. In addition to field trips, the children made trips for games with other schools. There were many other reasons for trips such as a variety of competitions, such as music competitions. For lunch during many field trips, the children would have a little imprompto picnic. Another type of trip are activity trips at boarding schools over the weekend. These are normally more fun trips than associated with the academic programs. Clever teachers, however, can often mix the two. Most field trips are day trips. There are also trips that might be better described as school trips involvoing overnight or even longer trips. Here there are limitations as many children can come from families that can not afford the expenses involved. These trips can included overseas trips. Overseas of course in the sense of crossing the Channel. Such trips were unusual before World War II, but after the War became more common. These trips often have a foreign-language component.

Day Trips

England has a wealth of such sites that make for great school trips. Not only are there world-class museums, but a wide range of fascinating castles, palaces, historic homes, Riman ruins, and much more. Some of the earliest museums are located in England. They range from the Victoria and Albert and British Museum to Kew Gardens, perhaps the greatest botanical gardens in the world. There are wonderful Roman ruins, such as Hadrian's wall. Within a few hours drive of anyehere in England there are a wide range of wondeful sites for field trips. Some of the most famous sites such as Hadrian's Wall require a trip length that make a day trip difficult. There were also a variety of other activities for which trips were required. In addition to field trips, the children made trips for games with other schools. There were many other reasons for trips such as a variety of competitions, such as music competitions. For lunch during many field trips, the children would have a little imprompto picnic. Another type of trip are activity trips at boarding schools over the weekend. These are normally more fun trips than associated with the academic programs. Clever teachers, however, can often mix the two. Most field trips are day trips.

Over-night or Multiple Day Trips

There are also trips that might be better described as school trips involvoing overnight or even longer trips. Here there are limitations as many children can come from families that can not afford the expenses involved. These trips can included overseas trips. Overseas of course in the sense of crossing the Channel. Such trips were unusual before World War II, but after the War became more common. These trips often have a foreign-language component. The image here shows an early English school trip to Switzerland. The school is clearly a secondary school group, but I am not sure about the type of school (figure 1). Rules about dress on these trips varired from school to school and over time.

Created: 6:47 PM 7/9/2004
Last updated: 6:47 PM 7/9/2004