Georgians: Venues and Resources

Elegance and Empire

A school residential trip focusing on the Georgian era immerses students in the 18th century, exploring its grand architecture, the rapid expansion of the British Empire, and the lavish lives of the burgeoning upper class.

The South Coast and the Isle of Wight offer the perfect backdrop for linking local history to the wider world. During this period, the region saw the rise of fashionable seaside health resorts, the expansion of vital naval ports to support global trade, and a thriving, illicit coastal economy. By stepping outside the classroom, pupils can directly engage with the physical legacy of this transformative age.

• Architecture and High Society: Students can investigate the birth of the elegant Georgian seaside resort, exploring the fashion, extravagant social events, and grand neoclassical buildings that were purpose-built to cater to the wealthy elite.
• Empire and Global Trade: Interactive visits help pupils understand the massive expansion of international trade networks, the growth of the Royal Navy, and the complex, profound impact of the British Empire on goods, wealth, and diverse cultures.
• Smugglers and the Coast: Children can uncover the thrilling, hidden history of the 18th-century shoreline, learning how heavy taxation on imported luxury goods fueled a massive, highly organised smuggling economy across local coves and fishing villages.

Browse our curated selection of venues and educational activities below to build the perfect Georgian history itinerary for your class.