London & the Thames
Jun 13–22, 2026
8 Nights
Illustration
Day 1 · Saturday, June 13
Depart Chicago
10:30 PM
Chicago
O'Hare International · ORD
12:15 PM
London
Heathrow · LHR · Sun Jun 14
Arrive at ORD by 8:30 PM. Flight 10:30 PM — arrive London Sunday afternoon at 12:15 PM.
Day 2 · Sunday, June 14
Arrive London — South Bank
Arrive
12:15 PM at Heathrow · Customs, baggage, transfer to hotel
Hotel
Sea Containers London — 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD
Check-in
3:00 PM (early check-in subject to availability — bags held at concierge until then)
Transfer
Heathrow Express to Paddington (~15 min), then cab/Uber to hotel · or Piccadilly line direct (~1 hr)
Afternoon
South Bank wander · Tate Modern · Borough Market · rest before a quiet dinner
Early arrival means a nearly full day in London. Check-in is 3 PM — leave bags and explore the South Bank before settling in.
Day 3 · Monday, June 15
First Full Day — South Bank & Tate Modern
Morning
Tate Modern — world-class modern art, 5 minutes from the hotel · free permanent collection
Afternoon
Globe riverfront walk · OXO Tower · Gabriel's Wharf · east to Tower Bridge along the South Bank
Evening
Borough Market closes ~5 PM · dinner in Borough or on Bermondsey Street
Borough Market runs Monday–Saturday. Quieter on a Monday — a good time to explore without the weekend crowds.
Day 4 · Tuesday, June 16
Westminster & West End
Morning
Westminster — Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Bridge · St James's Park · Buckingham Palace
Afternoon
National Gallery at Trafalgar Square · Soho wander · Covent Garden · Seven Dials
Evening
Dinner in Soho — book ahead for Bao, Quo Vadis, or Blacklock
National Gallery is free and best on weekday mornings before tour groups arrive.
Day 5 · Wednesday, June 17
East London — Shoreditch & Markets
Morning
Old Spitalfields Market · Shoreditch street art walk · Brick Lane
Afternoon
British Museum in Bloomsbury · or V&A and Natural History Museum in South Kensington
Evening
Shoreditch dinner — St. JOHN Bread & Wine, Brawn, or Dishoom Shoreditch
Spitalfields is at its best Thursday–Sunday but worthwhile mid-week. Pair it with the British Museum if you want a contrast of old and new.
Day 6 · Thursday, June 18
South Bank & Anish Kapoor
Morning
Timed entry 10:45 AM — Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery · Allow 30 min from hotel (5 min walk)
Afternoon
South Bank wander · Tate Modern permanent collection · OXO Tower · riverside walk
Evening
Borough Market or dinner along the South Bank — Maltby Street Market nearby
Date
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Venue
Hayward Gallery, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
Entry
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM · Seats A-4 & A-5
Order
30333058 · E-tickets arrive ~Jun 11
Cost
£49.00 (~$66) — Paid ✓
Hayward tip: The gallery is a 5-minute walk from Sea Containers — cross Jubilee Gardens and you're there. Timed entry means no queuing. After the exhibition the rest of the day is open: the permanent Tate Modern collection is right next door, and Maltby Street has good evening options.
Day 7 · Friday, June 19
South Kensington & Chelsea
Morning
V&A Museum — the world's greatest museum of art and design · free · allow half a day minimum · South Kensington
Afternoon
Natural History Museum next door (free) · or Design Museum on Kensington High Street · Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea for cutting-edge emerging art (also free)
Evening
Dinner in South Kensington or walk down the King's Road into Chelsea for options
South Kensington has the highest concentration of world-class free museums anywhere. The V&A alone can take a full day — fashion, furniture, photography, jewellery. The Natural History Museum is directly adjacent if you want variety.
Day 8 · Saturday, June 20
Shakespeare's Globe + West End LIVE Begins
Morning
West End LIVE opens at Trafalgar Square — catch early performances or combine with National Gallery
Afternoon
Portobello Road Market (Saturdays) · Notting Hill wander · Shoreditch street art
Date
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Venue
Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT
Order
5300754
Cost
£160.00 (~$214) — Paid ✓
West End LIVE tip: Saturday has more performances but is more crowded. If you want to do a full West End LIVE day, save Sunday for it — Saturday is better for other exploring + the Globe in the evening.
Day 9 · Sunday, June 21
West End LIVE — Preferred Day
Morning
Columbia Road Flower Market (Sunday mornings only — go early, 8–10 AM) · Shoreditch / Brick Lane
Midday
West End LIVE at Trafalgar Square — free outdoor West End performances · combine with National Gallery
Afternoon
Soho wander · Covent Garden · South Bank walk home along the Thames
Evening
Last dinner in London — book ahead for Soho or Borough/Bermondsey
West End LIVE recommended flow: Avoid camping all day unless you're a huge theatre fan. Combine it with the National Gallery, Soho, Covent Garden, and South Bank wandering. Sunday performances typically run from 10 AM through the afternoon.
Day 10 · Monday, June 22
Depart London
Check-out
Sea Containers by 12:00 noon · store bags with concierge if needed
To Airport
Heathrow Express from Paddington (~15 min) or cab — allow 90 min before departure
1:10 PM
London
Heathrow · LHR · Terminal 3
3:55 PM
Chicago
O'Hare International · ORD