Our adventure began on the 21st June 2011 when 59 excited students, seven brave teachers and two even braver parents set off for a whirlwind tour of the sites and sounds of London. After checking in at Reina Sofía Airport we boarded our Monarch flight and set off for a week of fun.

On arrival at London Gatwick our students were congratulated for their behaviour by both the Monarch cabin crew and other passengers, we were off to a good start. We collected our luggage, which thankfully all arrived in London with us, boarded the coach and set off for our first taste of London at the Rolling Stones themed Restaurant, Sticky Fingers. After eating our fill of American-style food and admiring the photos and memorabilia of the Rolling Stones it was off to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

The next morning we set off after breakfast for our first full day of fun. First stop was the Natural History Museum where we experienced the marvels of the universe, squealed on the earthquake simulator, yelped at the creepy crawlies and wandered through rooms full of mammals and extinct creatures. Then it was back on the bus and off to the world famous Hard Rock Café for burgers and chips amongst the music and memorabilia of Rock and Roll’s superstars.

After lunch we were back on the bus for a guided tour of London, with a few stops for photo opportunities. 

Dinner that night was the most famous of British dishes, Fish and Chips, enjoyed with mushy peas in a traditional English pub. Then it was back to the hotel to unpack, relax and recharge ready for the next day’s adventures.

Day three in London started with an early breakfast, and after a slight hiccup with our coach getting stuck in the hotel car park, we were off to watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace followed by a walk to marvel at some of the more famous sites of London, including Nelson’s Column and Covent Garden. 

After our trek through the heart of London it was off to the Westfield’s Shopping Centre to spend, spend, spend!! And if they could tear themselves away from the shops for long enough, eat some lunch.

After spending their parents’ hard-earned cash the students were dragged, some quite literally, away from the shops for a traditional English roast lunch. Last on the day’s agenda was a trip to the Apollo Theatre to be wowed by the show “Wicked”. All of the students enjoyed the show, many giving a standing ovation at the end.  

Friday was a day of fun and frights with a look at the more gruesome side of London’s history. We started the day at the London Dungeons, and those that were brave enough, were taken on a journey back through time to take their chances in The Great Fire of London, escape the clutches of Jack the Ripper and live through the horrors of the Black Death. After making it out alive, we calmed ourselves with lunch and a walk along the banks of the River Thames and then it was over the famous Tower Bridge and on to the Tower of London. Inside students explored the grounds, marvelled at the sparkling Crown Jewels, met the Beefeater Guards and, those that needed some extra frights, had a peak at  the torture museum. Before boarding the coach for dinner there was just enough time to squeeze in a bit more shopping at the Towers souvenir shops.

Dinner was at the jungle themed Rainforest Café, where students dined surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle, from giant Lizards to squawking parrots. Then, just because we could, we did a bit more shopping in the Rainforest shop before dashing to the bus to avoid the rain and heading back to the hotel.

Day five started at the British Museum where students had the chance to see some historical treasures from around the world. These included: Ancient Egyptian Mummified humans, cats and birds; the famous Elgin Marbles taken from the Parthenon in Athens, and the Royal palace gates of Nimrud from Ancient Iraq. Outside the museum the students enjoyed hot crêpes on the steps and, for many, their first taste of Starbucks Coffee.  

A short coach trip across London took us to the world famous Madame Tussaud’s Waxworks. Once there we mingled with Hollywood stars, flaunted our singing talents (or a lack of them in some cases) in the X Factor singing booth, posed with our sporting favourites and took an adventure with the Marvel Comic Heroes. 

For dinner that night we ate a selection of Chinese food. Then as an extra treat, a quick walk through China Town took us to the M&M’s store in Leicester Square. Students had the chance to take photos with their favourite M&M’s characters, do a bit more shopping and, of course, stock up on plenty of M&M’s chocolate.

Sunday, and our final day of adventure, was a day to take in some culture. Our first stop was the Tate Modern Art Gallery where students and teachers were able to wander around the thought provoking, and sometimes confusing, world of Modern Art. Then a short walk along the River Thames took us to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Before venturing in we had a relaxing lunch and another Starbucks coffee.

Inside the Theatre we had an audio tour of the museum, sat and watched actors rehearsing sword fighting and were given a costume demonstration by the wardrobe ladies. Then it was back outside, and for some more Starbucks, before heading down to the Riverboat Ferry port for a tour by boat up the Thames River. After our river trip it was time to eat and so off we went to eat Lasagne for our final dinner in London. Once dinner was over it was time for our last activity, an evening flight on the London Eye. We were all awed by the amazing views, in all directions, across London as the sun set on our final day of fun. The perfect way to end our adventure.

The next morning it was time to squash all our purchases and souvenirs into our suitcases and head to the airport. After saying goodbye to our fantastic coach driver we checked in, boarded our plane and headed off back to the sun. Back at Reina Sofia Airport, and after one final group photo, we were greeted with a very warm, and loud, cheer from the parents. Goodbyes were said and off home we all went, and for the teachers at least, to bed for a very long nights sleep. 

And so ended the British School of Tenerife’s first school trip. May it be the first of many.