Places to visit
There is nothing better than seeing real history. Unfortunately as 50% of our course is European based, visiting these places is not immediately possible. However, London and the South of England do offer comprehensive museums on the Britain course.
Every year we do offer trips to Rome and Berlin and two students are able to visit Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.
London: All of these museums are free.
The National Maritime Museum: Situated at the Naval College at Greenwich on the River Thames, this museum explores the development of Britain's naval past covering its trade links, slavery links and colonisation of Africa and the Far East. You can even see Lord Nelson's blood soaked stockings and waistcoat he wore at his death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The National Army Museum: located in Chelsea, West London, the NAM is the leading authority on the history of the British army and its impact on society past and present.
The Imperial War Museum: Recently renovated this museum, located close to Lambeth North and Elephant & Castle, holds a large collection of objects and stories that tell the story of conflict and war. I personally think the exhibition on the First World War is excellent. The Holocaust exhibition was also excellent but is currently undergoing renovation.
Royal Air Force Museum: Fly back in time and discover the history of aviation at the Royal Air Force Museum. Learn about the earliest balloon flight, see the impressive collection of more than 100 aircraft. The area on the RFC and RAF during the First World War will be particularity beneficial.
South coast and South East
Historic Dockyard Chatham: Many of you may have visited Chatham Docks in Year 7 but you should consider going back. Test your sea legs as you peer through the periscope of HMS Ocelot, take charge on the bridge of a HMS Cavalier and ring the ship’s bell on the deck of HMS Gannet, their Victorian Sloop. Trains from London take around 40 minutes.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: Portsmouth was the historic port of the English south coast. Explore the docks and witness the HMS Victory; Lord Nelson's flagship from the Battle of Trafalgar. The HMS Warrior which was the first iron clad battleship built in 1860 and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's flagship which tragically sank in the Portsmouth Solent in 1545. Trains from Waterloo can take up to 2 hours.