Our visit to the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery was a wonderful experience. We immersed ourselves in different historical periods, with a particular favourite of ours being the Tudors. Paintings of Henry VIII’s notoriously known wives were spread across the room, alongside the infamous Thomas Cromwell and Wolsey. Ella, one of our A Level historians, acted as our guide, informing us of the Reformation process under Wolsey and Cromwell! We then encountered the 19th century, and stumbled across a painting of Florence Nightingale acting as an ‘angel’ figure to the numerous sick soldiers. The contrast of contemporary art to more historical pieces was fascinating as we encountered more modern figures such as Princess Diana and Ed Sheeran! Next, we set off for Ole and Steen for some tea with a side of ‘tea’ (and the infamous cinnamon roll). This trip was a lovely chance to catch up with our teachers, and to see all that London has to offer!

Xanthe and Ella, Lower Sixth