Arcadia England

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the UK in January! To help you make the most of your time here, we offer a series of subsidised and free excursions to suit all budgets and interests, from afternoon visits to lesser-known London gems to weekend trips showcasing the best of the UK, from north to south, east to west! 

Paid excursions

These excursions are offered for a fee but are heavily subsidised. They are led by experienced Arcadia staff, and the itineraries have been curated to include a mix of bucket-list items and lesser-known treasures. 

Windsor Castle - 1st February

The oldest inhabited castle in the world, and Queen Elizabeth II’s main residence during her reign, Windsor Castle is wrapped in centuries of history.

This tour will give you the chance to view her final resting place, tour some of the grand rooms and famous chapel, and even watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Afterwards you’ll have time to explore the quaint streets of Windsor, and even pop over the River Thames to Eton, where princes William and Harry went to school. 

Price: $40

Price includes: return travel to Windsor, entry to Windsor Castle. 

York Weekend - 8th-9th February

Travel north to this beautiful city for this two-day, one-night trip. York is a city packed with history, from its glorious Minster to the bewitching Shambles, voted one of Britain’s prettiest streets. Staying in a hostel in the city centre, you’ll have easy access to its many free attractions, including the National Railway Museum (a must for train obsessives!) as well as all the items on our itinerary, which will include a walking tour, dinner at a historic pub and entry to the Castle Museum.

Price: $99

Price includes: return train travel to York; bed and breakfast hostel accommodation; walking tour; group meal; entry to the Castle Museum

Accessibility: York is an old city with some uneven surfaces including cobbles, but it is fairly compact. The Castle Museum is accessible.

Paris in the Spring - 21st-23rd February

Famous for romance, art, rich food and more, Paris is on everyone’s bucket list! Our carefully-planned trip - which includes students from Arcadia’s centers in Ireland and Scotland - includes dinner at a French brasserie, a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a chance to ogle at the Mona Lisa (and more!) at the Louvre, and the opportunity to explore beyond its main attractions in your own time.

Price: $400

Price includes: Eurostar return travel; central Paris hostel accommodation in shared dormitory rooms, with breakfast; dinner at a French restaurant; entry to the Louvre and Eiffel Tower; walking tour.

Wales Adventure Weekend - 7th-9th March

Come with us on a visit to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Wales and enjoy an action-packed weekend at the Sealyham Activity Centre. Here you will be participating in a range of adrenaline-filled activities both on land and in the sea, led by experienced instructors, and will have a chance to explore one of Britain’s most dramatic areas in its smallest nation. 

Accessibility: Activities are optional but will involve strenuous activity, walking on uneven surfaces, and water. Participants should be confident swimmers. All safety equipment will be provided and activities will be led by qualified instructors.

Price: $399

Price includes: all travel, meals and accommodation; all activities, with expert instructors

Stonehenge and Salisbury - 15th March

Visit the mysterious Stonehenge, a site that has baffled archaeologists for centuries. After viewing the stones our tour takes us to Salisbury, a historic market town straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Here you’ll have time to grab lunch before we visit the famous Cathedral. Dating back to the 13th century, here you’ll find the oldest clock in England, the tallest spire, and a copy of the Magna Carta. 

Price: $70

Price includes: return coach travel from London; entry to Stonehenge; entry to Salisbury Cathedral

Women’s Football Match - 23rd March

Still reeling from reaching the World Cup final in 2023, England’s Women’s team is now focused on the Euros in 2025. Watching a football (not soccer!) match at Arsenal will allow you to see many England players in action, and enjoy this stalwart British passtime.

Price: $14

Price includes: entry to Arsenal Stadium.

Edinburgh Weekend - 4th-6th April

This Arcadia favourite will swap you up England’s east coast to the Scottish capital. Staying in a city-centre hostel, you’ll familiarise yourself with the city through a walking tour and visit its imposing castle. You’ll also have plenty of time to explore its many other attractions, bars and restaurants over this 3-day trip.

Price: $340

Price includes: return train travel to Scotland; bed and breakfast accommodation in a city-centre hostel; entry to Edinburgh Castle; walking tour; dinner on the first night

Hidden London

These FREE events showcase areas of London you might not visit otherwise! Bookings will open two weeks before each activity is scheduled.

Cat Cafe - 24th January

Missing your kitty? You’ll find loads here! Enjoy a hot drink, snack and plenty of cat cuddles at this Cat Cafe.

God’s Own Junkyard - 7th February

Travel out of central London to one of the city’s weirdest attractions. God’s Own Junkyard is described as a “hidden neon paradise” with salvaged neon signs from all over the globe, creating a bizarre yet somehow mesmerising visit. 

Queer Britain Museum - 14th February

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a visit to the UK’s first and only permanent museum dedicated to Queer history. The museum marks and celebrates moments in the history of UK LGBTQ+ community’s struggles, achievements and contributions to British society.

Accessibility: Queer Britain prides itself on being accessible to all, ensuring that every visitor can comfortably explore the exhibits and engage with the stories being told.

Mudchute City Farm - 14th March

Escape to the corners of Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers and you will find yourself in the countryside of Mudchute City Farm. Interact with farm animals and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Explore the agricultural life presented and learn about the intricacies of urban farming.

Accessibility: The farm prides itself on being accessible to all, though its natural landscapes and rural settings may pose challenges for visitors with severe mobility restrictions. Efforts are continually made to ensure a welcoming environment for everyone.

London From Above - 21st March

View London from above at one of London’s rooftop gardens. Here there is a serene landscape filled with greenery and views of the London skyline. These hidden gems are notorious for their mixture of urban and woodland above the bustling city below. 

Accessibility: With an emphasis on inclusivity, most rooftop gardens are designed to be accessible, featuring lifts and smooth pathways to accommodate all visitors.

Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew - 11th April

Celebrate the arrival of Spring at one of London’s most impressive attractions. Stroll the Victorian greenhouses for plants from across the globe, walk the Treetop Walkway, or simply relax in the vast gardens - the perfect excursion to get away from it all for a while. 

Accessibility: most paths are tarmac and flat, so getting around is easy. Kew has provided an accessibility guide for visitors who may have additional needs.