Pepperdine International Travel | London 2025

BIg Ben and surrounding buildings

Saturday, July 5 – Tuesday, July 8, 2025
London, England

This July, join fellow alumni, family, and friends for an unforgettable trip to London, England. Whether or not you took part in any of the London International Programs while a student at Seaver College or the Caruso School of Law, we invite you to experience London with your Pepperdine family.

The London International Program has been home to many students over the years and has been a pillar example of success as a study-abroad program. This trip will begin with a celebration at 56 Prince’s Gate with former London faculty and offer opportunities for you to explore Westminster Abbey, tour the city, experience evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and catch a show in the West End. Of course, what trip to the UK would be complete without a traditional afternoon tea? These experiences and more are waiting for you as part of Pepperdine international travel this July.

All alumni and any friends or family you would like to bring along are welcome to attend!

London Travel 2025 Details

Registration

See Who's Attending

Itinerary

Accommodations

Travel Tips

FAQs

Registration

Registration for the London Alumni Trip will open in March.

The trip registration fee is $300, excluding excursion fees. This fee includes a $100 tax-deductible donation directly benefiting students in the London International Program.

The fee also covers three key events:

welcome event on Saturday, July 5 at 56 Prince’s Gate
dinner at the Polish Club on Saturday evening, July 5
closing event: Afternoon Tea at the Orangery on Tuesday, July 8

We look forward to sharing this unforgettable experience with you!

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Who's Attending?

View the growing list of alumni, faculty, and friends registered for the Pepperdine International Travel trip to London.

View the Attendee List

Special Guests:

These special guests and friends of Pepperdine, many of whom taught at the London International Program (IP) and/or the Caruso Law London Program, will be joining us; we expect this list to grow!

Andy and Debby Benton
Steve and Janet Davis
Ken Durham and Nancy Magnusson
Colleen Graffy
Jerry and Lori Rushford
James and Kanet Thomas

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Itinerary

street view of Big Ben with buses and tourists

Click the link below to see the full itinerary including the three key events included in your registration fee as well as excursions and activities offered as optional items during registration.

Daily Itineraries

London Travel 2025 Itinerary

Date	Event	Time	Cost	Description
Friday, July 4	Early bird meet-up \| TBD	TBD	Included in registration fee (no additional cost) TBD \| Registration required	We encourage arrival on this day so we’re all in town and ready to go for Saturday!
Saturday, July 5	Opening Reception	12-2 PM	Included in registration fee	Description: Our first time this week together as a large group will be at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world, where you’ll enjoy a 3-course lunch overlooking the iconic Hyde Park. Following the reception we’ll take a short 20 minute walk as a group to the Open House at 56 Prince’s Gate. Please see dress code. Dress Code A collared shirt must be worn by gentlemen at all times in the clubhouse. The minimum acceptable dress is a polo shirt, chinos or dark wash jeans (no T-shirts, faded, frayed, holey, worn trousers or light wash jeans) and sailing shoes or equivalent. Ladies should dress appropriately: leggings or similar are not appropriate. Members and guests should avoid any form of dress that might cause offence.
Saturday, July 5	Welcome event at 56 Prince’s Gate	2–7 PM	Included in registration fee (no additional cost) Registration required \| Included in registration fee	Whether you’re coming home to 56 Prince’s Gate or experiencing Pepperdine’s London home for the first time, come enjoy this open house with refreshments, tours, and faculty highlights.
Sunday, July 6	Morning worship at 56 Prince’s Gate	8 AM	Free No registration required	We come together for a special time of worship.
	Panoramic Bus Tour of London	9 AM–1 PM	$45/person Registration required Deadline to register for this activity is April 30	This three-hour private, guided, hop-on-hop-off bus tour will take you on a tour of London making several stops, including the Changing of the Guard, if taking place that day. Whether you’ve visited before or it is your first time, this will be a fun tour with your Pepperdine family. Feel free to exit the tour at any time, just let the guide know you won’t be going back to the Rembrandt.
	Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral \| stpauls.co.uk/whats-on/choral-evensong-sunday	3 PM \| Arrive 30 minutes early for the line and bag check	Included in registration fee (no additional cost) Registration required Deadline to register for this activity: April 30	Evensong is the treasure of worship at St. Paul’s. It is a service of sung Evening Prayer, taken from the Book of Common Prayer of 1662.
	Dinner at Mien Tay-Shoreditch	6 PM	$60.00/person Registration required \| Limited to the first 50 guests to register	Enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a warm, inviting setting at this family-run restaurant.
Monday, July 7	Westminster Abbey Tour(s) \| https://westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/	10 AM \| 90-Minute Tour	$62/person Registration required \| Limited to the first 40 guests to register Deadline to register for this activity is April 1	Join a private guided tour of Westminster Abbey. The abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place of 17 monarchs. The church we see today was begun by Henry III in 1245. It’s one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country, and has the medieval shrine of an Anglo-Saxon saint at its heart.
	Cruise the River Thames \| illuminatedriver.london/	6:15 PM \| Board at Tower Millennium Pier \| 2-Hour Cruise	$52/person Registration required Registration deadline for this activity is March 31	The best way to view the Illuminated River Project is by boat. You’ll enjoy a welcome glass of Prosecco on arrival, a delicious selection of cold canapes, and live music, while we cruise down the River Thames. Please note that this event is geared toward adults. Children ages 5 and below are not able to join this event and while children ages 6 to 12 are permitted, we recommend this to an adult audience. All attendees pay the adult fare regardless of age. Please also note that this specific boat is not accessible to those with disabilities.
*For the shows below—The Lion King, Wicked, and Hadestown—all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable once purchased.*
Tuesday, July 8	Guided Visit to the Courtauld Gallery- Led by Rachel Barnes \| courtauld.ac.uk/	10-11 AM and 11:15 AM-12:15 PM	Free Registration required \| Free to the first 38 registrants Registration remains open until capacity is reached	Professor Rachel Barnes will lead you on a tour of the Courtauld, home to one of the world’s great art collections, located in the magnificent historical setting of Somerset House in central London.
	Afternoon Tea at the Orangery \| royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/kensington-gardens/orangery	3:30–5:30 PM	Included in registration fee Registration required \| Limited to 100 Guests	Professor Rachel Barnes will lead you on a tour of the Courtauld, home to one of the world’s great art collections, located in the magnificent historical setting of Somerset House in central London.
	West End Musical: The Lion King \| Lyceum Theatre	7:30 PM	$68.00/person Registration Required \| Limited to first 30 registrants Deadline to register: March 28, 2025 Seats available in “Royal Circle,” stage right, in rows H, L, and M \| Lyceum Theatre seating map	Experience Simba's journey of self-discovery and the powerful themes of family, responsibility, and the circle of life in Disney's breathtaking West End show.
	West End Musical: Wicked \| Apollo Victoria Theatre	7:30 PM	$75.00/person Registration Required \| Limited to the first 30 registrants. Deadline to register: March 28, 2025 Seats available in “ftalls” (floor) stage left in rows G, H, J, N, O, and P Apollo Victoria Theatre seating map	Uncover the untold story of the witches of Oz in Wicked! This captivating musical explores the true meaning of friendship, acceptance, and the fight against prejudice in Oz.
	West End Musical: Hadestown \| Lyric Theater	7:30 PM	$68.00/person Registration Required \| Limited to the first 30 registrants. Deadline to register: April 10, 2025 Seats available in Dress Circle, row D and in Stalls, rows J, K, and L	Can a song change your fate? Climb aboard and journey on down to Hadestown to find out. Based on two classic Greek myths, Hadestown journeys to the underworld, as faith battles doubt, love fights fear, and industry struggles against nature.

London panoramic bus tour
Evensong worship at St. Paul’s Cathedral
Private guided tour of Westminster Abbey
River Thames cruise
Guided visit to the Courtauld Gallery
West End musicals
And more!

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London Memories

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Accommodations | London Hotel Blocks

Please check out the hotel options below; we also encourage you to consider Airbnb or other third-party accommodations.

Please note, because the Rembrandt doesn’t normally offer hotel blocks in July, these rooms are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable at the time of booking. We encourage you to take out your own travel insurance if you think you may want to change your hotel booking.

The Rembrandt

11 Thurloe Place
Knightsbridge
London
SW7 2RS
(10-minute walk to 56 Prince’s Gate)

Hotel Blocks

More about The Rembrandt hotel blocks

The Rembrandt

Arrival Date: July 5, 2025 | Departure Date: July 9, 2025
Number of Nights: 4
The below rates include VAT and English breakfast
50 rooms in this hotel block
Pre- and post-trip nights are available at the below rates. Please consult directly with the hotel. This block will be available until two months prior to check-in.

Please note that rates are nonrefundable and nonchangeable at the point of booking because the Rembrandt does not usually do block booking in July. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance if you think your plans may change.

Rooms	Cost
Classic Rooms	£275/room \| per night for sole use £295/room \| per night twin/double occupancy
Executive King/Twin Rooms	£295/room \| per night for sole use £315/room \| per room per night twin/double occupancy
Club Rooms	£295/per room per night for sole use £345/per room per night twin/double occupancy
Grand Rooms	£355 per room per night for sole use £375 per room per night twin/double occupancy

Rembrandt hotel front exterior

Holiday Inn London Kensington High St.

Wrights Lane London
W8 5SP
United Kingdom
(25-minute walk to 56 Prince’s Gate, two tube stops to South Kensington)

To make your reservation, please email James English at groups@hilondonkengsington.com | Reference: “T33 and Pepperdine Alumni”

More about Holiday Inn hotel blocks

Holiday Inn London Kensington High St.

Arrival Date: July 5, 2025 | Departure Date: July 9, 2025
Number of Nights: 4
The below rates includes VAT at 20 percent and English breakfast
15 rooms in this hotel block
Guests will be able to book a max of four nights prior to July 5, 2025 and up to a max of four nights post July 9, 2025 at the below rates. Only 10 rooms are available to add four days prior or post event.
Due to the conditions of this special hotel block, guests must email James English directly at the hotel to arrange accommodations. Email James English at groups@hilondonkengsington.com and reference “T33 and Pepperdine Alumni”

Please note that rates are nonrefundable and nonchangeable at the point of booking because the Holiday Inn does not usually do block booking in July. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance if you think your plans may change.

Room	Cost
Standard Single Room \| 1 person in room	£223.00/room per night
Standard Twin Room \| 2 people in room, 2 single beds)	£233.00/room per night
Standard double room \| 2 people, 1 double bed	?
Premium twin or double accommodates 3 people (add a fold-away bed to standard twin/standard double rooms)	£283.00/room per night (standard single/double rate + £50.00)
Triple rooms are not available. Three guests can be accommodated in premium twin/double rooms with a foldaway bed at £50.00 per room per night at the standard twin/double room rate. Please consult directly with the hotel.	n/a

Holiday Inn hotel front exterior

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Travel Tips

Travel Documentation

Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay (and up to six months, depending on your nationality).
Required Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA):
- Starting January 8, 2025, US citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for short visits, tourism, or business, including those just passing through UK airports, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. This requirement applies to all parts of the UK. The ETA is similar to the US ESTA system and acts as a preclearance for travel. This change is part of the UK’s move toward a digital border system.
- For more information and to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) go to: gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.
  - An ETA application may take up to three working days to process.
  - Cost: $12.75

Best Airport to Fly In To

Guests are responsible for their individual travel arrangements to London, United Kingdom. We recommend that you fly in to Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Heathrow Airport (LHR): London's largest and most accessible international airport, Heathrow is well connected to the city via the Heathrow Express (15 to 20 minutes to Paddington), the Elizabeth Line, or the Piccadilly Line on the London Underground. It's a great choice for international travelers due to its wide range of airlines and services.
Gatwick Airport (LGW): Another good option, Gatwick offers frequent train services to central London, such as the Gatwick Express (30 minutes to Victoria Station) and Southern or Thameslink trains. It’s especially convenient for budget airlines.

Booking Flights

Use flight comparison sites like Google Flights or Kayak to find the best deals
Consider booking direct flights to Heathrow

Ground Travel from Airport(s) to South Kensington, London

From Heathrow Airport (LHR):

London Underground: Take the Piccadilly Line to South Kensington Station
Taxi/Private Car: Approx. £50 to £70, taking 30 to 60 minutes depending on trafficHeathrow Express: High-speed train to Paddington Station (£25 to £30), then a taxi or Tube to South Kensington

From Gatwick Airport (LGW):

Gatwick Express: Direct train to Victoria Station (£20- 25). Then take the Circle or District Line to South Kensington
Taxi/Private Car: Approx. £70 to £90, taking 60 to 90 minutes
National Express Bus: Budget option to Victoria Coach Station (£8 to £12)

From London City Airport (LCY):

DLR and Tube: Take the DLR to Bank Station, then transfer to the Circle or District Line to South Kensington
Taxi/Private Car: Approx. £40 to £60, taking 30 to 45 minutes

Pro Tip: Consider prebooking a shuttle service for groups to save time and ensure everyone travels together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Hotel Accommodations

Pepperdine has arranged for two discounted hotel blocks. One at the Rembrandt and one at the Holiday Inn.

Currency Converter

Quickly convert US dollars to British pounds

What’s the weather like in London in July?

London in July is typically warm, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 23°C (73°F). Rain is possible, so packing a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella is a good idea.

What’s the best way to get around London?

The London Underground (Tube), buses, and taxis are popular transportation options. For ease, consider getting an Oyster Card or using a contactless credit/debit card for public transit.

What’s the best way to exchange currency?

Currency exchange booths are available, but ATMs typically offer better rates. Notify your bank before international travel.

What should I pack?

Essentials for a July trip to London:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers (light sweaters for cooler evenings)
- Umbrella or rain jacket
- Casual yet stylish outfits for dining out or theater shows
A universal travel adapter for electronics

What are some resources for individuals or groups to independently plan excursions, tours, activities?

Excursions:

Visit London website: visitlondon.com – Offers event listings, attraction guides, and discounts
London Pass: Provides access to multiple attractions with one ticket
OpenTable: Great for booking group-friendly restaurants
Citymapper App: Essential for navigating London’s public transport
West End Shows: Visit the TKTS Booth in Leicester Square
- The TKTS Booth in Leicester Square offers same day discounted tickets for many West End shows.
- You can check availability online at Official London Theatre’s TKTS site before going.

Themed Tours

Harry Potter Walking Tour: Discover filming locations across the city
- You’ll want to do a Google search and find the one that best fits your interests
Jack the Ripper Tour: A chilling dive into Victorian London history
Street Art Tour in Shoreditch: Explore London’s vibrant urban art scene
Self-Guided Options:
- Use the Rick Steves Audio Tours app for walking tours of neighborhoods like Westminster and Covent Garden

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