MORE than 200 excited students headed to the country’s captial to visit London’s most iconic attractions.

Year 7 students from Harwich and Dovercourt High School visited a range of the city’s landmarks, from the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, to Westminster Abbey and the Globe Theatre.

Eight coaches of students left the school at 7am and made their way to their various destinations across London.

Having been studying London in all subjects, the trip gave students a chance to visit a place they had been enthusiastically learning about.

Each group visited two different venues. One group had a guided tour inside parliament, learning how the Government works.

Another tutor group had a guided tour of Westminster Abbey with a visit to Poets’ corner.

In the afternoon, both groups went on the London Eye, having squeezed in a visit to the National Portrait Gallery en route.

At Wembley, the class had a tour of the stadium taking the opportunity to lift a replica FA cup.

One group went to the Velodrome where they had a tour of the Olympic site before a session on the BMX bikes at the venue.

Another group went to London Aquarium in the morning for a sea-life experience and then visited the Tate Britain art gallery in the afternoon.

The Globe Theatre group had an outstanding workshop on how the theatre works today and then had an exciting trip to HMS Belfast where they had the chance to explore the former naval warship.

The final group escaped without capture from a tour of the Tower Of London in the morning, where they saw Beefeaters, the Crown Jewels and the inside of the castle.

In the afternoon they went to the top of the Shard.

Kate Finch, headteacher, said the students represented the school fantastically.

She said: “Our students were in awe at the capital’s sites, making every part of this feat of organisation worthwhile.

“It is so important for our students to experience London and to know that they can visit museums and galleries with their parents for free whenever they like.

“I can’t wait for the sessions we have planned whereby they will show each other and parents and carers the work they have produced as a result.”