Social programme
Socialising is vital to your progress, therefore we organise an exciting and fun packed programme of free and paid social events for you (not included in fees), including sports events, day trips out of London to places of historical and cultural interest and nights out in London.
Explore the famous south bank and the bank side areas of London; visit one of London's most popular weekend markets at Borough and see tourist attractions such as Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern art gallery.
There are lots of things to do and see in London for free! Please ask in the reception for more details or click here for our recommendations!
Day Trips
Windsor
To many, Windsor means Windsor Castle, the home of the Queen. However, there is a lot more than the castle to see: across the Thames, you can visit Eton College and you can also tour the river to see the grand homes of the rich and famous. There are several parks and gardens, including Windsor Great Park. Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the castle remains a working palace today.
Bath
Bath is probably best known for two main attractions: its Roman Baths and its Georgian architecture. However, it is not only a place for sightseeing, it is a great town to relax in for free : watching open air bands playing beside the River Avon, especially in spring and summer months, or browsing the shops that line the charming Pulteney Bridge. Famous residents have included Jane Austen. The Romans built a bath house in Bath between the first and fifth centuries AD to enjoy the healing properties of Britain's only hot springs. During Georgian times, two more baths were built. In the 1970's, the baths were closed, but have now been renovated. The baths are now a World Heritage Site and are open for visits.
Stonehenge
Its original purpose is unclear, but some have speculated that it was a temple made for the worship of ancient earth deities. It has also been called an astronomical observatory for marking significant events on the prehistoric calendar. Others claim that it was a sacred site for the burial of high-ranking citizens from the societies of long ago. Whatever its purpose when built, it makes a great day out to visit. The stones you can see today represent Stonehenge in ruin. You can however, no longer walk among them.
Cambridge
Cambridge revolves around its famous university and there are reminders of this at every turn. The beautiful college buildings, students on bicycles and punts on the River Cam all add to its peaceful atmosphere. Though most people probably visit Cambridge for its university, there are also other things of interest to see and do, including many that are free. This includes punting along the Cam to Grantchester, a tiny village two miles upriver, or strolling along The Backs, the grasslands behind the colleges along the banks of the Cam.
University of Cambridge
The university was established in the thirteenth century by a group of scholars, many of whom had to leave Oxford due to disagreements with the townspeople there. It comprises a number of colleges including King's College, which was founded by Henry VI (he also founded Eton School at the same time). Many are open at certain times to visit. Famous Cambridge alumni include Samuel Pepys, Oliver Cromwell and, more recently, Stephen Hawking and several of the Monty Python team.
Oxford
Oxford is a city dominated both physically and culturally by one thing: its university. Over 15% of the town's population of 120,000 are students. But there is more to the city than that. It has also been used as the location in several famous films, including the Harry Potter films and A Fish Called Wanda so strolling through it, you can't help but feel you've been there before. Worth visiting to admire the university buildings, the medieval streets and the punters on the River Cherwell - oh, and to try and spot film locations.
University of Oxford
Established in the thirteenth century as a group of monastic colleges, Oxford University is the oldest English speaking university in the world. It is also the only remaining British university to educate child prodigies. All but two British Prime Ministers have studied there and other famous students include Rupert Murdoch and Bill Clinton. Most of the 41 colleges and halls (where people live, work and study) are open to the public at certain times. It is also worth simply wandering around the grounds and viewing the buildings - and of course, the famous "Bridge of Sighs".
