It’s said that our school days are the best days of our lives, but it’s fair to say that many of us don’t have fond memories of school.
However, school trips were often a rare break from the monotony of the classroom as teachers and pupils alike escaped their regular surroundings.
The novelty of being on a coach and then in a new environment alongside our friends was all too much for some, with school trips occasionally descending into chaos.
Schools in a particular area usually all went to the same types of places on day trips: museums, zoos and aquariums were go-tos for many children.
If you went to school in Peterborough then it’s likely you went on a school trip to the same places as previous generations of your family.
Earlier this month we asked readers on our Facebook page to share their memories of school trips from Peterborough.
Having received nearly 200 suggestions, it’s fair to say that readers enjoyed recalling their school memories.
Below are eight of the most popular suggestions:
5. Hunstanton
Dozens of readers suggested Hunstanton as a popular school trip destination. Some suggested doing things like traffic surveys (for whatever reason). Does this ring a bell? Photo: Keith Evans
6. Scarborough
It was surprising how many readers mentioned Scarborough as a popular school trip destination. The Yorkshire town is three hours from Peterborough, making it a bit of a drive. We'd be interested to know what a Scarborough school trip consists of. Photo: Tom Tolkien
7. Peakirk Wildfowl Trust
The Peakirk Wildfowl Trust was a popular conservation and visitor centre in Peakirk that opened in April 1957 and permanently closed in December 2001. The 14-acre site was opened in April 1957. Photo: Paul Bryan
8. Whitwell Hall Outdoor Centre
The 40-acre residential outdoor education and camping facility in Reepham, Norfolk, sadly closed in December 2025. However, many generations of Peterborough schoolchildren will have fond memories of visiting the site. Photo: Geoff Frost