School History trips to London: World War 1 and the Home Front

Step back in time to the WW1 Home Front

Zeppelin Walking Tour

Long before the Second World War Blitz, there were the Zeppelin Raids, history’s first strategic bombing campaign carried out by the German military in 1915. Follow the path of destruction that brought the frontline warfare to Londoners’ doorsteps as bombs rained down on the capital and discover how the thriving city transformed into a major military hub. Students will also learn how the Germans utilised the adverse weather conditions to drop bombs on London during the ‘Silent Raid’.

During this walking tour, students will stop at key sites that sustained severe damage and hear firsthand accounts from those who witnessed these terrifying attacks. They will also gain further insight into life on the World War One home front. Students will learn about the lives lost due to the sustained bombings and the lasting impact the Zeppelin Raids had on Londoners, as the city adapted to the realities of modern warfare for the very first time.

Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum is a must-visit excursion on any school history trip to London learning about World War One. The museum features award-winning galleries dedicated to the First World War, featuring over 1,300 objects, including weapons, diaries, clothing, film, and art, that tell the story of how the ‘Great War’ was fought and won.

The museum also explores the impacts on the people at home and across the globe, sharing their stories of not only suffering and loss, but also love and camaraderie, through one of the darkest times in human history.

As students walk through the insightful exhibitions, they will develop their understanding of the causes of the war and the events that followed, from the declaration of war to the Armistice and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Students can also learn about trench warfare and the most brutal battlefields on the Western Front, the Battle of the Somme. The museum takes immersive learning to a whole new level as students can step into recreated sandbag-lined trenches, surrounding them with the sights and sounds of the battlefields. This helps them to imagine what life in the trenches was like firsthand, through personal accounts, poems and letters written over 100 years ago.

The Cenotaph and memorial sites

As your group explores London, you may come across several memorial sites dotted across the city dedicated to the servicemen and women who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars. One of the most recognisable memorial sites is the Cenotaph located in the heart of Whitehall, which stands as the main national memorial to the British and British Empire soldiers who died in the First World War and later conflicts.

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Cenotaph was unveiled in time for the November 11^th, 1920, Armistice Day parade to symbolise the universal cost to humanity and grief felt by all races and religions as a result of global conflict. Within a week, 1.25 million people visited the Cenotaph, which was 10 feet deep in flowers.

Visiting the Cenotaph and other memorial sites across London can bring the true realities of war into focus and reminds students that the history they are learning about in the classroom is still visible throughout the city.

Why is it important to teach students about the importance of remembrance?

Teaching remembrance helps students understand what previous generations fought and sacrificed for, while encouraging respect, empathy, gratitude and critical thinking.

As students learn about the horrors of war, remembrance encourages them to reflect and learn in a respectful way. Rather than sensationalising conflict, it highlights the human cost of war, alongside the courage and sacrifice of those involved, helping keep their stories and the history alive for future generations.

To learn more about why remembrance is important for young people, read our blog.