Explore UK

The Explore UK programme runs weekend trips during term-time to a range of towns, cities and cultural attractions throughout Great Britain. Previous trips have included Oxford, Manchester, Stonehenge, York, Liverpool, Cambridge and Bath. 

This is our trips programme for the 2023/24 Spring and Summer terms. Booking will be available through the DMU online store around a month before the date of each trip. 

Please note that this schedule is provisional only, and we reserve the right to change the dates and destinations of trips. 

Oxford - Saturday 24 February 2024

A visit to one of the most well-known cities in the UK, and home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires" because of its famous university architecture. Other attractions include the Bodleian Library, the historic covered market and the Ashmolean Museum (Britain's oldest museum). Explore the city yourself or book onto our optional walking tour. 

Bath - Saturday 23 March 2024

The only UK city designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath is a spa city of honey-coloured architecture, with a range of attractions including  the ancient Roman Baths, Jane Austen Centre and Georgian architectural icons such as the Royal Crescent and the Circus.

Cambridge - Saturday 20 April 2024

Home of the world-famous university and King's College Chapel, Cambridge is a cosmopolitan city with outstanding architecture, medieval streets, museums, galleries and gardens. Around the historic market place, there's a wide range of independent shops to explore.  An optional walking tour also includes admission to King's College Chapel.

Brighton - Saturday 18 May 2024

A classic British seaside resort combining modern culture with Regency architecture, including the iconic Brighton Palace Pier and Royal Pavilion. Along with the beach and vintage shops, you’ll discover a free-thinking city that’s known for creativity  - and our visit coincides with the Brighton Festival, the largest arts festival in England.  

Stonehenge and Salisbury - Saturday 15 June 2024

An all-day trip to these two famous destinations in the English West Country! Stonehenge is a World Heritage site and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. As well as visiting the stones themselves, there's a visitor centre where you can find out how the Stonehenge builders worked and walk amongst replica Neolithic houses to discover how they lived. We'll also spend time in the medieval city of Salisbury, which is dominated by the 123-metre spire of the famous cathedral. 

 

Frequently asked questions

What happens on the trip? Is there a tour? Will you show us around?

Most of our trips also offer a limited number of places on an optional city tour, which you'll usually need to book at the same time as you book the main bus trip. Tours are run by a local guide and usually last around 2 hours. After the tour you will usually have free time in the afternoon to spend how you wish. 

We provide information and suggestions of things for students to do at each destination. You're free to spend your time how you want on the trip  - we don't try to organise your day for you, partly because different students have different interests and usually want to do different things!

How can I book a place?

You can book a place on a trip through the DMU Online Store. Remember that you need to set up an account on the store before you book your trip - this should only take a few minutes. 

We cannot accept in-person payments or payment in cash  - sorry.

Can you reserve a place on a trip for me?

We cannot reserve places for students. If you want to join a trip you will need to book a place by making payment through the online store. 

I'm interested in a trip but it's already sold out. How can I get a place?

We try to open trips up to as many students as possible, but for practical reasons there will always be an upper limit to the number of people that can join. Our trips are popular and usually sell out in advance and so we suggest booking promptly onto any trips that you're interested in.

We usually operate a waiting list if trips are full. Contact us by email if you want to be added to a waiting list for a trip that has sold out.  

Can I bring a friend or partner on a trip?

Yes. Students can book an additional place for a friend or family member through the online store  - simply choose the number of places that you want to purchase. The people that accompany you don't have to be DMU students. Please note however that we usually operate a limit of 2 adult bookings per student.

Can I bring my children on a trip?

It is usually possible to book children onto trips. If you are planning to do this, please contact us directly at iss@dmu.ac.uk in advance and we will advise you further.

I'm a UK student at DMU. Can I join the trip too?

Yes. Home students are very welcome to join Explore UK trips.  

What if I book a place on a trip but then can't attend?

Before you make your booking, please check to make sure that you will be able to join the trip on that date. If you've booked a place but then find you can't attend, you will need to inform us in writing as soon as possible. We can sometimes refund cancellations, though this will always depend on how close to the date of the trip you let us know that you're no longer able to travel. See our cancellation and refund policy