Most adults fondly remember the excitement that accompanied the beginning of a school trip. But choosing the right school trip destination isn’t easy. You want to pick an attraction that’s educational and will capture the imagination and interest of school-aged children.

Luckily, West Yorkshire has lots of great places to visit that are perfect for school trips. Historic homes both large and small give an insight into ways of life in the past. Museums help Yorkshire’s industrial history to come alive for kids or introduce them to scientific concepts. And West Yorkshire has some more unusual places to visit, too, that will help kids learn as well as being fun and enjoyable.

Take a look at our list of 8 great places to visit for school trips in West Yorkshire, and you’re certain to find something that children of any age will love.

1. Temple Newsam

Let’s start with something grand – the great country home and estate of Temple Newsam in Leeds. This luxurious house offers a window into the lives of the elite over the 500 years of its existence, offering a particular connection to Lord Darnley – the scandalous husband of Mary Queen of Scots.

But that’s not all there is to see. Temple Newsam is a great choice because it also has a working home farm, which can teach children about the workings of a farm both in our current time period and in the past. Of course, children will love to see the animals, too, so that’s another plus!

2. Bronte Parsonage Museum

A smaller home that also gives insight into the past is the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth. This parsonage was once the home of the Brontë family, including the sisters Charlotte, Emily and Anne – authors of famous works of literature including Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Students who are currently reading these works may enjoy seeing the real-life residence of these authors and the objects they would have used. The parsonage also allows young people to understand the daily lives of those who weren’t quite as wealthy as the aristocrats of Temple Newsam.

3. Bradford Industrial Museum

It’s well known that Yorkshire was a great site of industry in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Bradford Industrial Museum is a great place for children to learn about this boom in industry as well as developments in technology over recent centuries.

Textile machinery is a particular focus, which makes sense because the building was originally a textile mill. However, there are also plenty of other exhibits covering engineering, steam power, blacksmithing and more.

4. National Coal Mining Museum

Coal mining is an equally important part of Yorkshire’s past – and visiting the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield is a fantastic way to shed light on it. This is a top-rated attraction that aims to make the process of coal mining truly vivid and real for today’s children.

The National Coal Mining Museum offers a number of different types of tours, all focusing on different aspects of coal mining. Tours above ground include one exploring the inventors behind the colliery, while there’s also an underground tour led by a costumed coal miner. Another key activity is the Time Tunnel, an above-ground tunnel that offers an immersive experience to teach children about mining.

5. Abbey House Museum

At Abbey House Museum in Leeds, children can wander through recreations of Victorian streets. This richly created environment helps students to understand what life was like for people of the past outside the home – and what it was like for those who were poorer than the residents of the Brontë Parsonage or Temple Newsam. This includes insights into entertainment plus daily tasks and work.

Upstairs, the museum also boasts an exhibition of toys from the past.

6. Thackray Museum of Medicine

Here’s an attraction that blends history with science – the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds.

This museum introduces children to a place called Disease Street where Victorian denizens face various public health problems. It also shows how Victorian-era surgeons operated on patients and offers insights into microbes and modern medical advances.

Take note – the Thackray Museum of Medicine may not be appropriate for all children, as it does include some sensitive content such as a mock ‘mortuary’ area.

7. Royal Armouries Museum

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is all about arms and armour through the ages and over three continents. Lessons about historic wars, conflicts and societal attitudes about battle will come alive through exhibits on European jousting tournaments, battles from the Roman empire through World War II, armour and weapons from Asia and Africa, and more. Children will also love the live combat demonstrations!

8. Eureka! The National Children’s Museum

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax is aimed at children aged 0 to 11. Exhibits are designed to be interactive and fun while also being educational. In the different zones of the museum, kids can learn about the human body, life in the desert, sound, the world of work and more. There are different areas suited to different ages, too, so that kids under and over 5 can enjoy learning through play that’s suitable for them.

A note on opening times

It’s worth mentioning that not all of the attractions above are open every day. Some are open for only some days of the week, and opening hours and days may change seasonally. Since attractions may also close or partially close for repairs or updates, it’s best to check with the venue to avoid any disruptions.

Let Star Coaches take you on a great school trip

Escorting children on a school trip can mean juggling a hundred tasks all at once. Fortunately, Star Coaches is here to help. With a choice of coach hire and minibus hire, we’ll take care of everything transportation-related and ensure a smooth and seamless journey to your attraction and back home again.

So, if any of the above destinations have sparked your imagination, why not get in touch with us and request a quote today? Or if you’d just like more information, you can email us at info@star-coaches.com or call us at 01924 477111.