Excursions

London Excursions at the University of Bremen

Beginning in 2011, faculty 10 of the University of Bremen has regularly offered excursions to London during the summer break. The first three trips, in 2011, 2013, and 2016, took place within the thematic framework of “Shakespeare’s London and Shakespeare’s Globe” and were organised by two of Bremen University’s experts on Shakespeare and Elizabethan London, namely former Practical Language Skills teacher Michael Claridge, and university lecturer Dr Jana Nittel. Since 2019, Dr. Jana Nittel coordinates the excursion “Literary London – London in Literature” in collaboration with colleagues and students.

“Literary London” is an excursion that takes you to London to experience the city on two levels simultaneously: not only will you be able to have a look around today’s London, but you will also feel transported back in time to the historic city of Shakespeare’s day. You will wander around London’s oldest churches and theatres such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Rose Theatre (Bankside’s first theatre, built in 1587), and explore the city in your spare time. Moreover, you will take part in practical workshops headed by Shakespeare’s Globe staff and experience a play in the theatre itself. Other topics that are covered by the excursion are Women Writers and London, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of Virginia Woolf’s heroine Mrs Dalloway and browse the shelves of Persephone Books, as well as London and Crime Fiction, which includes a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum in 221b Baker Street.

Although the cost for travel, accommodation, workshops, theatre performances etc. are partially subsidised, all participants are required to financially contribute towards the overall costs of the excursion. In general, students may acquire credit points by partaking in the excursion as well as the accompanying seminar consisting of several pre-departure meetings in preparation for the trip.

We would also like to thank everyone for giving us permission to use pictures from the excursions.