Embark on the literary adventure of a lifetime with the NEHS UK Literary Tour 2027! From historic London to the scholarly Cambridge and the beauty of Stratford-upon-Avon, this unforgettable journey invites students to experience the places that shaped some of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, and stories.
Walk along the Thames as generations of authors once did, explore theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe, and stand in the very town where William Shakespeare was born and laid to rest. Discover the grandeur of Westminster, the charm of Windsor, and the intellectual prowess of Cambridge, where literature, history, science, and imagination meet. Along the way, students will participate in immersive sessions inspired by the landscapes, landmarks, and literary traditions surrounding them.
The tour also offers unique academic and cultural experiences, including a day of academic immersion at Girton College, University of Cambridge; visits to world-renowned museums and galleries; and opportunities to attend live theatrical performances in both the West End and at Shakespeare’s Globe. Students will have time to explore vibrant markets, historic churches, riverside walks, and iconic British landmarks while connecting with fellow students from across the United States and around the world.
More than simply a sightseeing trip, the NEHS UK Literary Tour is designed to inspire creativity, deepen literary understanding, and foster meaningful friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
- Registration Process
- Past Literary Tour Testimonials
- Photos
- Tentative 2027 Itinerary
- Dates, Costs, Inclusions, and Other Details
Registration Process:
Registration is open until July 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (CT).
NEHS members will be asked to complete a short registration form to participate in the NEHS UK Literary Tour 2027.
Registrants are required to specify their travel funding arrangements during the registration process. Additionally, the registration form must be completed under parent/guardian supervision if the registrant is under 18 years of age. In that case, parents/guardians must confirm their consent to the travel plans and acknowledge that the travel expenses must be fully covered by the deadlines outlined below.
Past Literary Tour Testimonials:
I went on the 2025 NEHS Literary Tour as a literature-loving parent participant. The trip was well-planned, the students were well-chaperoned, and there was a great balance of planned activities versus free time. I would do this trip again, and will gladly recommend it to others!—2025 UK Literary Tour Parent Chaperone
I had a wonderful experience on the trip starting with all the people I met and friends I made. I enjoyed the free time to explore and discover things as well as the group activities in all the different cities. I like how we were encouraged to journal and were given time to do so not only in the hotel but also in parks and around the cities. The trip provided me with a new perspective on what I would like to do with my life due to a different environment and cultures as well as the amount of different people we were able to meet, and the variety of activities we got to participate in.—2025 UK Literary Tour Student Participant
As cliche as it may sound, being able to do something like this without my parents being over my shoulder was important and I’m so happy NEHS gave me that opportunity. It was such an amazing way to experience England and the emphasis on its literary history made it that much better. I also loved the variety of activities: sightseeing, workshops, free time, and more hands-on things like punting.—2025 UK Literary Tour Student Participant
This trip was everything that I had hoped for and more. I learned so much about Britain and British literature, and a lot of the sights and adventures provided deeper context to books/poetry I have already read. Beyond just being educational, I also had a lot of fun exploring different towns with my friends. While I was a little nervous to be flying to a foreign country for the first time, the whole trip was planned very well and I did not worry at all.—2025 UK Literary Tour Student Participant
The thought of my 16 year old in another country without a parent, and with complete strangers, terrified me. Knowing now, from what I saw, with how the tour was run, the security of the children, the activities planned, the experiences they were able to have, the quality of the chaperones, I wouldn’t think twice about letting my child go on next year’s tour solo.—2025 UK Literary Tour Parent Chaperone
Photos:
Tentative 2027 Itinerary:
Day 1:
Meet at JFK International Airport or designated US gateway airport. Board your overnight group flight to London Heathrow and settle in for the journey ahead.
Day 2:
Upon arrival at London Heathrow, you’ll meet your tour director and travel to your hotel by private coach. After settling in, we’ll head out for a Thames River Walk, taking in Tower Bridge and the energy of the South Bank before gathering at Potters Fields Park for a Welcome Picnic and Tour Briefing. You’ll then have some free time to explore and enjoy dinner independently.
Day 3:
Our literary journey continues with a walking tour of Westminster. We’ll begin with a walk past Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, continuing to Buckingham Palace and through Green Park before settling in St James’s Park for a reading and writing session inspired by the literary and political history of the area. We’ll make our way to St Martin-in-the-Fields, where we’ll enjoy lunch at the Café in the Crypt. After lunch, we’ll visit the National Portrait Gallery before continuing to Covent Garden. By nightfall, we’ll enjoy a performance at a West End theatre.
Day 4:
Today we explore the South Bank, one of London’s richest literary and theatrical landscapes. We begin at The George, London’s last surviving galleried coaching inn, with connections to Chaucer and Dickens. From there, we make our way to Borough Market for lunch before visiting Southwark Cathedral and the original site of the Elizabethan Globe Theatre. A guided educational tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre follows, after which we cross the Millennium Bridge with views of St Paul’s Cathedral and conclude at the Monument to the Great Fire of London.
Optional add-ons available: Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret; Clink Prison Museum.
Day 5:
Today we travel by rail to Windsor, home to the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. We’ll explore Windsor Castle’s magnificent grounds and St George’s Chapel before pausing for a reading and writing session inspired by the royal and literary history of the surrounding landscape. After lunch and free time in Windsor town centre, we return to London by train.
Day 6:
Today we travel by coach to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Our self-guided tour will begin at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where we’ll learn about the Bard’s life and world. We’ll visit Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall and Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried. We’ll then gather by the River Avon for a reading and writing session before enjoying a group dinner at a traditional Stratford tavern. In the evening, we board the coach for Cambridge and check in to our hotel.
Day 7:
Today we venture into the historic heart of Cambridge for a walking tour through one of England’s most storied university towns. We’ll explore the city’s highlights, including the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Round Church, Market Square, and the Corpus Clock. We’ll also stop to see the famous apple tree at Trinity College, a descendant of the tree under which Isaac Newton is said to have conceived his theory of gravity. We’ll continue on through King’s College and settle at Jesus Green for a reading and writing session inspired by the Romantic poetic tradition and the tension between scientific reasoning and the literary imagination. The evening is yours to enjoy dinner and explore more of the city at your own pace.
Optional add-on available: Cambridge Guided Punting along the River Cam.
Day 8:
Today you will immerse yourself in the scholarly atmosphere of Girton College, University of Cambridge. Girton College is known to be the first residential college in England to provide university-level education to women. Our day at Girton will include academic presentations, a walking tour of the college and its gardens, and interactive study sessions engaging with the People’s Portraits Exhibition, the Lawrence Room Museum, and the Girton Library and Archives. Full details of the academic programming will be shared in advance of departure. We’ll return to Cambridge city centre for dinner and a scenic walk back to the hotel.
Day 9:
Today we say farewell to Cambridge and make our way back to London by train. Upon arrival, we’ll check in to our hotel and head out to explore. Time allowing, we’ll visit the Guildhall Art Gallery before gathering near Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for dinner. We’ll end the night with a captivating performance at the Globe for a fitting literary finale to our time in England.
Optional add-on available: Sherlock Holmes Museum, 221B Baker Street.
Day 10:
Today marks our final day in the UK and our journey home. Once ready, the group will travel to Heathrow Airport and bid farewell to England. We hope you’ll take today to reflect on the unforgettable literary experiences and memories forged throughout your journey. Until next time!
Note: All activities, timings, and venues are subject to change. Optional add-ons are available at additional cost and must be arranged in advance. Program modifications will be communicated in writing with as much advance notice as possible.
Dates, Costs, Inclusions, and Other Details:
Tentative Dates
- June 16-20, 2027 – June 25-30, 2027 (final dates to be confirmed)
Cost
- $4,500 (plus taxes and surcharges) per person, including round-trip international flights to and from London Heathrow Airport.
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $500—due within two weeks of acceptance on the tour
- First Payment: $1,000—due October 1, 2026
- Second Payment: $1,000—due December 1, 2026
- Third Payment: $1,000—due February 1, 2027
- Final Payment: $1,000—due April 1, 2027
Information about the cancellation policy and other useful information can be found in the Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy document.
Inclusions
Flights & Transportation
- Round-trip international airfare from designated US gateway to London Heathrow
- All ground transportation within the UK including airport transfers, private coach, and rail
- London Oyster cards (4 days of public transit)
Accommodations
- 8 nights group accommodations: 4 nights London, 3 nights Cambridge, 1 night London (final night)
- Private or en-suite bathrooms prioritized where available
Academic & Cultural Programming
- Full-day academic program at Girton College, University of Cambridge
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre — guided educational tour and standing gallery performance
- West End theatrical performance (production TBC)
- Stratford-upon-Avon — Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Schoolroom, Holy Trinity Church (en route London to Cambridge by coach)
- Windsor Castle — day trip by rail from London
- Group dinner at Old Thatch Tavern, Stratford-upon-Avon
Meals
- Daily breakfast included for all 8 nights
Exclusions
- Airline taxes and fuel surcharges (billed separately at confirmation)
- Travel insurance (mandatory — must be obtained prior to departure)
- Lunches, dinners, and personal food expenses beyond included breakfasts and other specificed meals
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and gratuities
- Transportation to and from the US departure airport
- Passport and visa fees
- Optional add-on experiences (available at additional cost)
