Top 20 places British teens want to go on a school trip - with the UK making the list
A poll of 1,000 pupils in school years 7-13 found 37 per cent would like to go abroad for an excursion with classmates, while 23 per cent would prefer to stay on home soil
UK-based excursions came second
(Image: Getty Images )
The USA has emerged as the top destination British teenagers wish to visit on a school trip, with iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty (31 per cent) and Empire State Building (29 per cent) being the most sought after sights.
A survey of 1,000 pupils from year 7 to 13 revealed that 37 per cent would prefer an overseas excursion with their classmates, while 23 per cent would actually rather stay in the UK.
Despite the USA leading the list of desired destinations, the UK secured the second spot ahead of Italy, France and Spain, with attractions like Buckingham Palace (25 per cent) and Big Ben (22 per cent) being the most appealing.
For 29 per cent of the youngsters an educational trip was their first experience of staying away from home, and for 17 per cent, it was their first time travelling abroad. This could explain why nearly half of parents believe school trips help their children learn independence.
Children said they gained confidence and independence on school trips
(Image: Getty Images )
The study, commissioned by PGL Beyond, also discovered that educational trips offer more than just adventure and travel, with 48 per cent of young people claiming these trips make them feel more independent and mature. Parents echo this sentiment, with 47 per cent agreeing that school trips aid their child's independence.
Article continues below
Confidence, independence and teamwork are among the skills children have gained the most through school trips. Additionally, a sense of adventure, communication and problem solving also made the list.
History of school trips
Dr John Allan, head of impact & breakthrough learning at PGL Beyond, said: "At a time when young people seem to be cocooned in virtual worlds, school trips are a vital part of their healthy upbringing, opening up real experiences that deliver personal growth and lifelong impact
"Authentic challenges at home or abroad enable children to reflect and gain perspective – to see beyond the immediacy of their personal experience and to focus on the wider world around them."
The study also asked parents about their own school trips and found 41 per cent feel today's school trips are more extravagant and exciting today than in their day.
For them, their favourite excursion memories include sharing a room with classmates, visiting new cities, and taking part in activities.
Today's school trips are so inspiring three in 10 young people surveyed said they've influenced the subjects they choose to study, with history and geography emerging as the most popular.
Alison Sudbury, chief customer officer at PGL Beyond, added: "What truly matters for any child, is the confidence gained on a first trip away from home: the curiosity sparked in a new city, the friendships built, the comfort zones stretched, and the moments that shape who they become.
'That's why school trips are so instrumental in helping young people to achieve key breakthroughs which can impact their life now and in the future.'
Article continues below
TOP 20 PLACES TEENS WANT TO GO ON A SCHOOL TRIP:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
I spent a weekend in Ireland's best-kept secret — the rain didn't matter at all
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more With long sandy beaches and trendy seafood restaurants, it's easy to forget that Skerries is less than an hour from the bustling heart of Dublin. This small seaside town, which means 'the rocks' in Irish, is an under-the-radar gem on Ireland's east coast. On weekends, I'm told, it's where Dubliners like to escape. I first heard of Skerries when I was watching Sharon Horgan's Bad Sisters, and felt compelled to Google where it was filmed. Up popped a little fishing village and out popped my credit card to book flights. Thankfully, five minutes of fame has not opened the floodgates to an onslaught of tourists. The fact that there are no hotels in Skerries has helped, though there are plenty of rental cottages and a few local guesthouses. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. From wild swimming to walking trails and authentic trad seisiúnta , here's everything there is to do in one of Ireland's best-kept secrets. Home to just under 11,000 permanent residents, Skerries is small. For tourists, that means everything is central. To get your bearings, a solid starting point is a stroll along the coastal path, an easy circular walking route that links the North and South beaches with Martello Tower, a small fort dating back to 1804. There's history everywhere you step. Skerries was once home to St. Patrick's Monastery, the site of a Viking invasion. A plaque on a stone wall above the beach remembers Muriel Gifford, the widow of Irish revolutionary hero Thomas MacDonagh who was executed by the British in 1916. She drowned while swimming in Skerries one year later. The path stretches almost 7km to Balbriggan Beach, past the 18th-Century Ardgillan Castle and Lady's Stairs, two big tourist ticks in the area. On the horizon, the Mourne Mountains provide a moody sense of majesty. Closer to shore, local fishermen return around the headland with their daily catch. I follow my nose down to the harbour to explore Ireland's blossoming food scene. I am in thrall to a local recommendation. So 'you have to try the chowder in Stoop Your Head' is the kind of order I am more than happy to obey. Inside a nautical-inspired building on Harbour Road is a family-run restaurant with a simple but delicious menu. I plump for the chowder (€10.50), a thick creamy bowl bursting with fresh fish that tastes like it jumped right out of the sea and straight onto my table. It's served with the age-old Irish favourite, a chunky wedge of soda bread that I could have easily enjoyed on its own. Outside on the pier, a miniature ice-cream parlour is hidden in a candy-striped shack. Aptly named Storm in a Teacup, it looks like the perfect place for a post-dinner scoop, but as the heavens open, I forgo a cone in search of a nightcap somewhere dry instead. With pubs aplenty in Skerries, there is no shortage of places to wait out the rain. The Snug on New Street is a fantastic find with open fires, cosy rooms and a main bar hosting traditional music once a week. I am fortunate enough to stumble across the bar just as a group of musicians are tuning up and nab myself a bar stool within touching distance of the band. Friendly patrons warmly welcome me to their 'local' and two hours quickly pass in a blur of fiddles, lilts and Tayto crisps. On the short walk home, I find myself slowing down outside an estate agent's window just to 'have a look'. A surefire sign that this place is worth at least one visit. All roads seem to lead back to the harbour, which is where I find breakfast the next morning. Goat in the Boat is a trendy coffee-shop-cum-homewares-store. They also make ice-cream, but I settle for a croissant and hot chocolate to kick-start day two, before heading back inland to check out the sights. It's not your typical Irish breakfast, but it does me just fine. Skerries Mills Museum is only a few minutes' walk from the beach. Tickets are €8 if booked in advance, and you get to see two working windmills and a watermill on a tour that takes about an hour. A café on site is famous for its scones, and there's a farmers' market on Saturdays full of local foods and crafts. As I am a day early, I settle for an extra-large slice of cheesecake before wandering back to the harbour. The pace of life feels gloriously slow in Skerries. There is little traffic and each road looks unique with brightly coloured houses, the odd thatched cottage and an array of quaint old pubs. Even in the pouring rain, people smile and take the time to say hello to a drenched tourist. Due to the weather, I reluctantly leave my swimsuit languishing in the bottom of my bag, but looking out across the blustery Irish Sea, it is easy to imagine a sunny day with kayakers and kitesurfers jockeying for space on the water; eager toddlers queuing at the ice-cream shack for the Flavour of the Day, and revellers spilling out of bars on to the streets. More Trending I'm already planning a return visit for the annual Trad Music Festival that takes place on the first weekend in June. Until then, I make the most of a break between showers to snap a few soggy selfies on the waterfront before grabbing lunch at Hit the Road Jacques, and then doing just that. Despite not seeing the sun, I had a truly wonderful trip to the Irish seaside. From authentic watering holes, to watersports and windmills, Skerries is a well-kept seaside secret that is worth its salt all year round. Just don't tell anyone. Flights from London to Dublin can cost as little as £16 one-way with Ryanair. From there, it's a 50-minute drive to Skerries, or just over an hour on the 33A bus from the city centre. Once you're there, the Redbank Guest House has 18 rooms starting from £65 per person per night in summer. Sunset Crag rental apartment is available on Airbnb for £129 per night in June 2026. MORE: I flew 4,600 miles to a Jamaican resort that offers more than just 'fly and flop' MORE: Is it safe to travel to Greece? Latest tourist advice amid 'unpredictable' wildfires MORE: I stayed in one of the world's biggest Four Seasons resorts — it was the ultimate reset
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Henley-Twyford branch line closes for five days for track work
A railway branch line is closing for five days for work to repair and replace sections of Rail said the line between Twyford in Berkshire and Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire would be shut until first thing on Saturday the branch line was closed in 2023 for work between Wargrave and buses, which do not follow the train route and have a different timetable, will run between Twyford and Shiplake via Henley. Network Rail said 100m of track, sleepers and ballast would be replaced while surveys and other maintenance would also be carried director Jason Pankhurst said: "Our engineers will be working around the clock to complete this important work which will keep trains running smoothly for passengers for years to come."Great Western Railway said it would accept season tickets on the branch line between Marlow and said valid rail tickets could also be used on the number 850 Carousel bus service between Henley and Twyford via Wargrave. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to do one important thing when flying abroad this summer
Founder of Vidrate, Nick Hird, shares his expert tips for staying hydrated on aeroplanes and beating the heat on holiday - especially if you are keen to drink alcohol British holidaymakers heading to sunny destinations are being advised to keep this one tip top of mind for their health and safety. To ensure you enjoy the summer heat responsibly, a hydration expert shares their best tips to stay safe and comfortable. Nick Hird, founder of Vidrate, shares his tips on how to keep the whole family hydrated while flying, as well as during the rest of your trip. First and foremost, Nick says flying can be more dehydrating than people realise. " Cabin air is far drier than what we're used to as planes are kept at lower humidity levels than a normal room, typically around 10-20% lower," explains Nick. "As a result, your body loses more water through the skin and respiratory system faster, which can lead to a greater risk of dehydration, even on short-haul flights." However, while you may be inclined to gulp down water to reverse the damage Nick says this isn't the solution. 'Drinking large volumes of water in a short amount of time can actually be harmful due to the levels of sodium in your system diluting down to dangerous levels, which can induce nausea and even vomiting in some cases.' He advises air passengers to instead sip on water over a longer period to prevent sodium levels from diluting. Supplementing hydration levels with electrolyte drinks before or during takeoff can also help. Nick also stresses the importance of keeping children hydrated during travel to reduce their risk of travel-related illnesses. He suggests carrying a reusable water bottle as a simple way to promote hydration, keeping it full with 'water, juice or child-safe electrolyte sachets'. 'Another way you can help keep children hydrated is by giving them water rich food to eat, such as watermelon, cucumbers and tomatoes,' says Nick. 'These foods all have over 90% water content, so consuming them can contribute significantly to hydration.' Finally, Nick says you should avoid food and drink that can increase dehydration - though some of these are holiday staples. 'Alcohol, caffeine and sugar all have dehydrating effects, which can be amplified by high temperatures and increased activity levels on holiday,' he explains. However, you don't need to cut these out completely. Instead Nick recommends consuming alcoholic and caffeinated beverages in moderation. 'These should be limited during the day and instead replaced with water or electrolyte drinks to help stay hydrated.' He recommends a practice known as 'zebra striping' if you plan on drinking alcohol on holiday. The practice involves drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have and alternating between the two. 'This means that whilst the alcohol is having dehydrating effects, the water helps to prevent this from being too severe, helping you to remain hydrated and hopefully help with the hangover the next day too,' Nick concludes.
