Activities and Excursions
Experience and explore England’s delights
Studying at The English Experience is not just about lessons; we provide the opportunity to experience living in England and to explore the cultural delights.
The things you see and places you visit are not just amazing experiences. They are also times where the English you have been learning becomes real. You read signs and leaflets, you talk to people, you ask questions, and they are answered.
Here at The English Experience, we know the value of activities and we choose the ones that we feel are the very best.
This is a selection of the activities that we offer – different courses have different activities and excursions, so check the information for the course you have chosen to find out what your students will experience. The activities we offer range from sports to leisure activities like bowling, to experiencing the cultural side of England. Whatever the activities you choose for your students, they will be accompanied by an Activity Leader and, of course, they will have fun!
Full Day Excursions
All Short Courses and Summer Study Holiday programmes of 6 nights offer a full day excursion. All school integration programmes and exam courses offer a full day excursion at the end of each week, on the Saturday. For details of excursions included within your course programme, please check the sample programme online or contact The English Experience.
Out of season groups are invited to approach the school for prices for excursions. Bespoke programmes can be constructed; for example, we have organised tickets to attend specific live sporting events. For that unique experience, you may wish to look at changing your programme to include an excursion of your choice (subject to availability). Advanced notice would always be required and additional costs or entrance fees may apply. Here are some sample excursions:
London
London, the capital City of England, has a choice of excursions offered by the English Experience:
Boat trip on the River Thames-
London Dungeons
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Tate Modern Art Gallery
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Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
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London Eye Millennium Wheel
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Royal Observatory at Greenwich Park
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Harry Potter Studios
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The Globe, open-air Shakespeare Theatre
Cambridge
Cambridge, in neighbouring Cambridgeshire, is a city on the River Cam, home to the prestigious University of Cambridge dating to 1209. University Colleges include Trinity, founded by Henry VIII, and St John’s with its 16th-century Great Gate and King’s, famous for its choir and towering Gothic chapel. University museums have exhibits on archaeology and anthropology, polar exploration, the history of science and zoology. Visitors may also walk or punt along the River Cam.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
The medieval town of Stratford-upon-Avon is the 16th-century birthplace of William Shakespeare. Possibly the most famous writer in the English language, Shakespeare is known for his sonnets and plays such as ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Hamlet’. The Royal Shakespeare Company performs his plays in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and adjacent Swan Theatre on the banks of the River Avon.
Sandringham, Norfolk
The Sandringham Estate in Norfolk is the much-loved country retreat of the royal family and has been the private home of five generations of British monarchs since 1862. The house, set in 24 hectares of stunning gardens, is perhaps the most famous stately home in Norfolk and is at the heart of the 8,000-hectare Sandringham Estate, 240 hectares of which make up the woodland and heath area.
Pleasurewood Hills, Lowestoft
Pleasurewood Hills is a theme park in neighbouring Suffolk, with roller coasters and family rides, together with Sea Lions and other shows, set in 59 acres of countryside.
Half Day Excursions in Norwich
For details of activities included within your course programme, please check the sample programme online or your own programme if you have booked. Alternatively, please contact The English Experience to discuss programme options. The half-day activities provide a welcome short break from studying and give a taste of English cultural, sporting and leisure pursuits. The English Experience manages their programme of activities to suit the seasonal weather and opening times of venues. Any changes to the programme may incur a small additional cost. Here are some sample half-day activities:
Norwich Castle and Museum
Norwich Castle was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago and is one of Norwich’s most famous landmarks. The Castle was first used as a palace and later as a prison! Prison cells remain and can be viewed during your tour. The museum houses a fabulous collection of fine art, archaeology and natural history as well as the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum collections.
Norwich Orientation Tour
On arrival, students will be shown how to find the local bank, post office, bus stops and the excursion departure point as well as other useful places and landmarks of interest. The tours will take in Elm Hill, a historic cobbled street which is only 5 minutes from the school and also Norwich Market. To find out more, please visit our Norwich page. Another half day activity is the City Search, where the students navigate their way around Norwich City Centre, with a prize for the winning team.
Whitlingham Lake and Country Park
This trip includes a nature walk around the Whitlingham Lake to see the beautiful landscape and wildlife. For a supplement can include afternoon tea, with cream scones at the Whitlingham Centre, a flint barn with panoramic views of the broads.
Norwich Sporting Activities
Sporting activities in Norwich include ten-pin bowling, basketball, badminton, squash, table tennis and indoor climbing. Outdoor activities include kayaking, archery, abseiling, raft-building and canoeing. The English Experience also offers a programme of sporting events in the park including traditional English games of football, rounders, cricket and our own game of wacky races.
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is the cathedral church for the Church of England. The construction began in 1096 until its completion in 1145 with its Norman tower, which can still be seen today. The Cathedral spire measures 315ft or 96m and is the second tallest in England. It was rebuilt after it was struck by lightning in 1169. Norwich Cathedral has the second largest cloisters in England, only outsized by Salisbury Cathedral. To include a guided tour of the Cathedral.
Norwich Leisure Activities
The English Experience are constantly broadening the list of leisure activities as new opportunities arise. Activities currently include workshops in music production, singing, drama or art; an active in-door laser-game; hip-hop and street dance classes; and cinema trips to see the latest English-speaking films.
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
The Sainsbury Centre is a contemporary building offering a collection of visual art exhibits as well as a rolling programme of exciting visual art events and collections. The Sainsbury Centre is located next to the University of East Anglia in Norwich.
Norwich Strangers’ Hall
A visit to Strangers’ Hall brings to life the history of the way English people lived in the days of the Tudors and Stuarts and is set in a maze of interlinking rooms in a building which dates back to 1320. Here you can meet costumed characters and take a look at the food and toys of that period of English history.
Norwich Maddermarket
A theatre tour is offered of the Maddermarket Theatre. The theatre was built in 1794, originally as a Roman Catholic chapel, and was opened as a theatre in 1921. The Maddermarket was the first permanent recreation of an Elizabethan Theatre and aims to recreate the style of theatres of the Elizabethan period and beyond, which would present plays in the style of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson. The Maddermarket embraces its links and history and frequently showcases drama inspired by this period.
Norwich Bridewell Museum
From medieval to modern day, the Bridewell Museum tells the story of the city’s industries and the people who lived and worked there. It was built around 1403 and was used as a prison for many centuries and then, after a fire, was rebuilt and used as a factory and warehouse. Parts of the building are made of flint, which is widely available in East Anglia.
Norwich Puppet Theatre
Norwich’s own traditional puppet theatre is a unique experience, housed in a medieval church, with an auditorium, studio, workshops, exhibition gallery, shop and bar and offers a year-round programme of entertainment and events.
Half Day Activities in Norfolk
Please contact The English Experience directly if you want anything different or to make changes to the programme. Some activity changes may incur an additional cost. Norwich resides within the county of Norfolk and offers rural and countryside pursuits:
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is a Norfolk coastal town which attracts many tourists in the summer to its beaches, piers and amusements. Great Yarmouth is also a historic fishing town and its history is brought to life by Elizabeth House, Time and Tide Museum and the Tolhouse. The town is also known for its historical rows or narrow streets.
Cromer or Sheringham
Cromer and Sheringham are attractive North Norfolk seaside towns. Cromer’s main attraction is its Victorian Pier which was first opened in 1901 and is home to the Cromer Lifeboat Station and Pavilion Theatre. Sheringham is home to the popular North Norfolk Railway which offers steam and diesel train rides through Norfolk’s picturesque countryside.
Blakeney
You can enjoy a walk by the sea or take a boat trip in Blakeney. Blakeney National Nature Reserve is home to England’s largest grey seal colony, and offers uninterrupted views of the beautiful Norfolk coastline.
Blickling Hall, Aylsham
Blickling Hall is a famous stately home which is part of the Blickling estate and was built in 1616. The estate has been in the care of the National Trust since 1940. Blickling House is set in 950 acres of woodland and 3,500 acres of farmland, with beautiful gardens and lake. The estate offers experiences to bring to life English history at various periods during the life of the house and its estate.
Please note: Activities may vary depending on time of year, cost, design of programme and availability.