An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
The vibrant city of Belfast offers a truly educational experience covering many subjects, including history, politics, religion, citizenship, music, economics and geography. There is so much to see, do and learn in this ever-evolving, welcoming city, which is looking to the future.
The nearby countryside is lush, and spectacular coastal scenery includes romantic castles and the UNESCO World Heritage Giant’s Causeway. It’s easy to see why the landscape has inspired literature and is so favoured for use in films and TV.
There is fun to be had in the many leisure and activity parks. Contact us to book your cross-curricular school trip to Belfast and let us tailor a tour to suit your educational needs – specialist educational talks are also available.
Trip Highlights
Walls and Bridges – modern history guided tour
Shipbuilding and seafaring – Maritime mile and Titanic Bel
The geological wonder of The Giant’s Causeway
Fun indoor and outdoor activities
Recommended excursions
Belfast city centre guided walking tour
A fascinating, fun tour in Belfast City Centre that looks at Belfast’s hidden history, its recent troubled history, as well as vibrant modern Belfast, packed with art, literature and music. Engaging and Informative
Belfast Guided Coach Tour
This guided coach tour gives an overview of what Belfast has to offer covering all the sites of this fascinating city; the Peace Walls, Stormont, the Falls and Shankhill Roads, Crumlin Road Gaol, Queens University and Titanic Quarter.
Troubles Tour – Walls and Bridges
An immersive educational experience, covering all aspects of Belfast’s story, comprised of a coach and walking tour. Factually based and unbiased, it uses personal experiences and pop references to explain complex issues with trained, qualified guides. Bespoke to suit you, it can include a tour of Stormont and features a visit to a radical church, once at the centre of Belfast’s hidden history.
Stormont
Parliament Buildings (Stormont) is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative body for Northern Ireland established under the Belfast Agreement 1998 (Good Friday Agreement).
Built in 1921, it was designed to house the newly formed Government of Northern Ireland and was officially opened on 16th November 1932.
Maritime Mile
Explore the city’s rich shipbuilding heritage linking Belfast’s historic Sailortown to the Titanic Quarter. Highlights include Sinclair Seamen’s Church, Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Clarendon Dock, City Quays, the Big Fish, Glass of Thrones, SS Nomadic, Titanic Belfast, Titanic Slipways, The Great Light and the Titanic Dock and Pump House. A Treasure Trail is available at maritime-mile.com
Titanic Belfast
Located beside the place where Titanic was designed, built and launched, Titanic Belfast tells the story of Titanic from her design and construction to her launch and tragic maiden voyage. The self-guided tour extends over nine interactive galleries where you discover the sights, sounds, smells and stories of the ship, as well as the people and city that made her.
Crumlin Road Gaol
Crumlin Road Gaol opened in 1846 and was a fully operational prison for 150 years. A self-guided tour of the listed building allows you to experience life behind bars. See the tunnel linking the gaol to the courthouse across the road, the hanging cell, the Governor’s office, the hospital and the graveyard. During the Troubles, the high-security gaol housed Republican and Loyalists prisoners. An optional guided tour explores the role of the prison during this period.
Ulster Museum
Learn about the history of the people from the north of Ireland until the present day. See the collections of Art, Science and Natural Sciences in the galleries and interactive discovery zones. The Museum is set in botanic gardens.
Aunt Sandra’s Sweet Factory
Take a trip back in time and enjoy the tastes and smells at Aunt Sandra’s sweet Factory in East Belfast. Learn how Aunt Sandra began making her sweets and how the tradition has been passed down through generations. A viewing window allows you to see into the small factory and the traditional sweet shop has many treats including chocolate, fudge and a colourful array of sweet jars!
Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. This outstanding geological feature of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns was formed by an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. Legend says it was the handiwork of the giant Finn McCool. See the Grand Causeway, The Giant’s Boot, The Wishing Chair – a natural throne and The Camel.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
This much-photographed rope bridge hangs thirty metres above the rocks and sea below. The bridge has a span of twenty metres connecting the mainland to the small island of Carrickarede. Carrick-a-Rede is now a tourist attraction run by the National Trust.
Dunluce Castle
The romantic ruins of this picturesque castle perched on a cliff edge date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. There is evidence however of much earlier settlement. The castle was inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. Historical and archaeological exhibits are on display for public viewing.
Carrickfergus Castle
The imposing Norman castle which looks out across Belfast Lough is one of the best-preserved medieval monuments in Ireland. During a history spanning 800 years, the castle has been besieged by the Scots, Irish, English and French. Visit the Great Hall, see historical displays and the castles canons.
Glenariff Forest Park
Glenariff is one of the nine Antrim Glens (valleys) formed during the last Ice Age. Take a stroll through the river gorge on the waterfall boardwalk in this beautiful country park. The resident wildlife includes red squirrels, hen harrier and Irish hares.
Ulster Folk Museum and Ulster Transport Museum
Located in Holywood, a short journey from Belfast, the Ulster Folk Museum is an outdoor living history museum showing how life was in the region 100 years ago. Discover cottages, farms, schools and shops set in parkland including demonstrations of traditional crafts.
The Ulster Transport Museum has steam locomotives, horse-drawn carriages, vintage cars and motorbikes. The Museum also has vintage photographs of the Titanic.
Hillsborough Castle
Hillsborough Castle is the official residence of the British Monarch in Northern Ireland. Since the 1970s, Hillsborough has also been home to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. This Georgian castle has played a central role in the peace-building process of the country. Take a guided tour of the castle to see the State rooms and explore the 100 acres of beautiful gardens.
Prison Island Belfast
Inspired by the ‘Crystal Maze’ small teams move around 25 different prison-themed challenge cells trying to score as many points as possible within the allocated time. This fun attraction, with a live scoring system, offers a mix of physical, tactical and skill-based games and is suitable for all ages.
The Lost City Adventure Golf
Based at Cityside Retail and Leisure Park the indoor Adventure Golf is open seven days a week with special effects and interactive obstacles. Experience two indoor 18-hole jungle-themed adventure courses. A great all-weather entertaining activity. Food and drinks are available on-site.
Typical accommodation
Belfast International Youth Hostel
What groups like:
- Rooms with and without private facilities
- Short walk from the city centre
- Easy access to public transport
Facilities:
- On site café and TV lounge
- 24-hour reception and free wifi
- Conference room
Itinerary suggestion
1 Depart London
2 Flight to Belfast (approx. 1h20)
3 Airport transfers to your accommodation. Guided City Centre walking tour (flight time-permitting)
4 Evening meal (included)
1 Breakfast at your accommodation (included)
2 Guided coach tour to the Peace Walls, Stormont, the Falls & Shankhill Roads, Crumlin Road Gaol, Queens University and Titanic Quarter
3 Visit to Titanic Belfast and Maritime Mile
4 Evening meal (included). We suggest indoor adventure golf.
1 Breakfast at your accommodation (included)
2 Full-day guided coach tour to Dunluce Castle, the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
3 Evening meal (included). We suggest bowling
1 Breakfast at your accommodation (included)
2 Ulster Folk Museum (flight time-permitting)
3 Airport transfer (included)
4 Flight to London
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- Explore the history of the city and region including the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement
- Learn about the city’s shipbuilding heritage along the Maritime Mile and Titanic Belfast
- Discover more about the most famous ship Titanic, its design and construction and the tragedy which befell it.
- Evaluate the historical factors, social and environmental considerations influencing traditional and modern industries
- Learn about the geological formation of The Giants Causeway
- Explore the influence of Gaelic culture and its present-day revival
- Discover the musical heritage of the city and the significant contribution to modern music
- See how the city is re-inventing itself industrially, gastronomically, and culturally
- Build confidence and learn to value the skills and techniques needed for personal and team success
- Discover, explore and have fun with fellow students and teachers
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- Gain a better understanding of the complexity of the history and politics of Northern Ireland.
- Consider a range of issues around citizenship and history
- Experience the geological wonders of the Giant’s Causeway
- Understand how the region is changing in terms of politics, religion, economics and culture
- Gain independence and self-confidence
- Strengthen existing friendships and make new friends
“
Wonderful support throughout the trip and excellent knowledge of the area visiting
Hardenhuish School
Book with confidence
Ready to arrange your next adventure?
Request a quote today. Enter your name and email to begin your no obligation quote tailored to your group and learning objectives.
