The Tower of London is a formidable piece of London history. Built as a palace as well as a fortress and prison, the Tower has been the home of many notorious Londoners, and even royalty.
Today, a thousand years after it was built by William the Conqueror, the Tower of London is a unique piece of history and the London landscape.
As a royal palace, it is home to many ceremonies, such as the Ceremony of the Keys. The Crown Jewels are also on display here. Also see our London Travel Guide.
Be sure to see our reviews of Stonehenge Tours, Thames River Cruises and Windsor Castle Tours.
Best Tower of London Tours
| The Tower of London - Small Group Tour with a Local Expert | VIP Tower of London and Crown Jewels Tour with Private Beefeater Meet & Greet | Private Tour of The Tower of London | |
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| Location: | Sundial at the Tower Hill, London EC3N 2LY | 3 Tower Place, London EC3R 5BT | 2b Tower Hill, London EC3N 4EE |
| Start: | 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM | 8:45 AM, 9:45 AM | 9:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 2:00 PM |
| Duration: | 2 to 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Includes: | Tower of London tickets, expert guided tour | Timed access, no waiting, private audience with a Beefeater, entry to Tower of London & Crown jewels | Professional guide, minimized queuing, private tour, optional upgrade of afternoon tea |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Tower of London Tours For 2024
- Exclusive Access to Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral
- London in One Day Sightseeing Tour Including Tower of London
- Early-Access Tower of London Tour
- Royal London Walking Tour
- Best of London Including Tower of London
Best Tower of London Tour Reviews
1. The Tower of London – Small Group Tour with a Local Expert
- Departure Point: Sundial at the Tower Hill, London EC3N 2LY
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Includes: Tower of London tickets, expert guided tour
London is filled to the brim with incredible cultural and historical experiences, but there’s one that you truly can’t miss: seeing the Tower of London.
This quintessentially British experience is lead by an expert local guide who’ll not only show you the most iconic sights, but some fascinating hidden gems, as well. If that sounds interesting, look no further than the Tower of London – Small Group Tour with a Local Expert excursion.
Lasting anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, it’s perfect for busier schedules while never skimping on the details. Meet your guide, James, at the Sundial right outside the exit from Tower Hill Underground Station and head straight to the tower grounds to stroll around and explore.
James is absolutely fantastic, and does an excellent job of bringing centuries of history to life with passion and in-depth knowledge.
There’s no way you’d get to experience the Tower of London on your own like you would with James, who boasts an impressive 20+ years of experience. With this kind of insider’s perspective, the visit turns into an immersive historical journey with intimate knowledge of its rich past.
From its origins as a royal palace to its infamous role in the English Civil War, you’ll see the White Tower, the Crown Jewels, and many more famed locations.
What makes it even better, is that the tour includes all necessary tickets, personalized attention, and some coffee and tea to sip on as you cruise around!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. VIP Tower of London and Crown Jewels Tour with Private Beefeater Meet & Greet
- Departure Point: 3 Tower Place, London EC3R 5BT
- Departure Time: 8:45 AM, 9:45 AM
- Duration: 3 hours
- Includes: Early AM timed access tickets, no waiting at ticket office, private audience with a Beefeater, admission to Tower of London including the world-famous Crown jewels, entry to Raven House of the Tower of London, visit Tower Green – the execution site of 3 English queens, entry to White Tower & Armory
Discover the timeless draw of England’s famed Tower of London with a tour that perfectly balances historical depth and a bit of exclusive, behind-the-scenes access that most visitors don’t receive.
This carefully-curated experience lets you bypass the masses of crowds and lines outside and head right into one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, seamlessly.
The VIP Tower of London and Crown Jewels Tour with Private Beefeater Meet & Greet adds a unique touch that was one of the highlights of my trip!
Start off with a visit to the imposing White Tower filled with tales of kinds and armory, before heading on to the Tower Green, where you’ll hear about stories of royal intrigue and brutal executions that took place over centuries.
Seeing the Crown Jewels is really special, showing off raw regal opulence that’ll captivate anybody. The meeting with a Beefeater was also something iconic, offering a firsthand glimpse into the traditions and duties of these famed employees.
We were actually able to ask them questions and listen to plenty of their own anecdotes, which basically no one gets to do! They were surprisingly friendly, and one of them even told us some spooky stories about paranormal experiences they’d had at the tower!
Our guide made it even more enthralling with his excellent storytelling and vast knowledge that he shared in an engaging way. Our time flew by on this tour!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Experiences You May Enjoy:
3. Private Tour of The Tower of London
- Departure Point: 2b Tower Hill, London EC3N 4EE
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 2:00 PM
- Duration: 3 hours
- Includes: Professional guide, minimized queuing, private tour, optional upgrade of afternoon tea
I kind of regret it now, but the first time I went to London I completely avoided the Tower of London, even though it was one of my greatest interests. I had a feeling it would be absolute chaos with all of the queuing and crowds, but had I known about tours like this one, it wouldn’t have been an issue.
The Private Tour of The Tower of London avoids all of that, with a professional guide there to lead you past the waiting so you can get into the landmark without any delays.
I liked that we had the option of choosing either a morning or afternoon tour start time, which was easier to fit into our schedules. I always like doing tours in the morning, though both of the tour options offer these perks. You can also opt to upgrade to afternoon tea for the later tour as well, though I’m not a fan of tea, so we didn’t do it.
Once we got inside the tower, we met the ravens and had the chance to see iconic items like the Crown Jewels, as well as explore the famed White Tower, and see incredible views of the Tower Bridge! In fact, I’d go out on a limb and say that the tower offers the best views of the Tower Bridge in all of London!
The stories our guide told us about the White Tower were certainly chilling, though there were plenty of interesting events that took place here, as well. We learned that this oldest part of the fortress was once filled with armor that belonged to kings Henry VIII, Charles I, and other notorious kings.
If you have kids in your group, I highly recommend checking out the interactive exhibition which they seem to love!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. VIP Early Access: Opening Ceremony Tower of London & Bridge Entry
- Departure Point: Tower Hill London EC3N 4DJ, UK
- Departure Time: 8:15 AM, 9:15 AM
- Duration: 3 hours
- Includes: Enter Tower of London before the public, witness 700-year-old opening ceremony, meet the Chief Beefeater for a private welcome to the Tower of London & Opening Ceremony, entrance tickets included to the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms
Next up, is the VIP Early Access: Opening Ceremony Tower of London & Bridge Entry tour. This is a magical tour experience that very few get to go on, and the title says it all!
This isn’t your standard tour of the tower – it’s an opportunity to see it before the crowds arrive – even witness the Tower of London opening ceremony!
I’d say that the fact that you receive early access to see the Crown Jewels is worth the tour, alone. The Crown Jewels are practically always surrounding by swarms of people, so being able to have them essentially to yourself is priceless.
However, seeing the entire tower without other crowds walking around just really gives you a whole new perspective on the structure and the history that’s taken place within its walls.
This tour had one of the best guides around, offering us plenty of time to explore the grounds at our leisure, while offering up all kinds of cool recommendations.
Regaling us with fascinating historical accounts, I learned so much more than what you would find on a regular tour. Not to mention, he was very fun to listen to, and did a great job of engaging even the young kids in our group.
Perhaps the only thing I didn’t absolutely love about this tour was the fact that at one point, they brought our group together along with 2 others. This made it a bit difficult to hear the Beefeaters at one point, but aside from that, it was a phenomenal experience.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Best of London Including Tower of London
- Departure Point: Victoria Coach Station, London
- Departure Time: 7:15 AM
- Duration: 9 hours
- Includes: Tower of London tour, guided coach tour of the city, St. Paul’s Cathedral guided tour, stop at Westminster Abbey, sightseeing cruise on the River Thames, free time for lunch, two optional upgrades
If you’re looking for the best Tower of London tour, this may just be the one for you. This is a full-day tour that will take you on a guided, air-conditioned coach tour around the city of London. You’ll start by heading to St. Paul’s Cathedral for a guided tour.
On your way to Buckingham Place to watch the changing of the guard ceremony, you’ll make a stop at Westminster Abbey. This is a perfect time to take pictures in front of the most extraordinary examples of Gothic architecture in this area.
After watching the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, there will be time for lunch. It’s at your own expense and there are many eateries in the area.
Then, you’ll head to the Tower of London. You’ll be guided by Traitor’s Gate and the torture exhibit before viewing the Crown Jewels.
Hop on a river cruise to see many famous London sites from the water. Your guide will tell you about the history of many of these places. When you step off the boat, your comprehensive tour of London is over, but you can choose to upgrade.
One upgrade includes a ride on the London Eye for breathtaking views of London and the perfect opportunity for photos. The other is a cream tea experience at Harrod’s restaurant. It includes a glass of sparkling wine along with scones and clotted cream.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
London Travel Guide
- Airports & Entry
- Planning Tips
- Restaurants & Eating Out
- Nightlife & Entertainment
- Getting Around
- Accommodations
- Weather
- Attractions
- The History, Beauty, and Mysticism of Stonehenge
Let’s help you make the most of your vacation to London with this guide!
Airports & Entry
There are five airports that service London, England. If you are traveling abroad, you will most likely be arriving at London Heathrow. For shorter flights departing European airports, should you be heading to London from a previous vacation spot, you may fly into one of these smaller London airports:
- London City
- London Gatwick
- London Luton
- London Stansted
Planning Tips
Visiting London is unlike visiting any other city on earth. Because of this, you will want to keep some things in mind when planning and packing. We list our top 5 tips for visiting London below. Do you have additional tips to suggest? We’d love for you to comment them below!
Tip #1: Bring Your Walking Shoes
Much of your travel around the city will be walking. Even when you head out of town for a day tour, such as those to Stonehenge, most of the tours require quite a bit of walking. It’s best to be relaxed wearing athletic shoes instead of wearing more fashionable shoes that can make the necessary walking uncomfortable.
Tip #2: Bring a Converter or Transformer
Your electric and electronic devices made for use in the US will not work in the UK without a converter or transformer. A converter is made to use with electronics such as your phone or tablet and a transformer with electric devices such as a hairdryer. The US runs on 120 V and the UK on 240. This means that using your US devices without a voltage converter or transformer in the UK may damage them.
Tip #3: Start Planning Your Trip Early
London receives millions of tourists each year. This means that you will most likely have to book tours well in advance. You should also book your accommodations and reservations in restaurants as soon as possible. This is especially true for tickets to theater events and shows.
Tip #4: Always Bring an Umbrella
It doesn’t matter what time of year you’re visiting London, quick showers and rainstorms are always a possibility. It’s best to bring an umbrella with you as purchasing one at a convenient location in the city will most likely cost much more. A collapsible umbrella that is easy to carry with you is ideal.
Tip #5: Start Budgeting in Advance
London is quite an expensive city to visit but it’s worth it. Be sure you have budgeted for your flight and accommodations as well as your daily meals. You should have plenty of British pounds, the local currency, on hand as taxis and some stores may not take debit or credit cards. Also, keep in mind that the farther out your trip is planned, the better deals you will get, especially on accommodations.
Restaurants & Eating Out
There are several Dishoom restaurants located around the city. These restaurants serve high quality and delicious Indian food within a modern atmosphere. London is one of the best places to enjoy Indian food outside of India. These restaurants often have a wait but the wait is well worth it.
Not only will you want to experience the delicious Indian food, it also wouldn’t be a trip to London without an afternoon tea. There are plenty of places around town to enjoy your tea, but afternoon tea at The Savoy Hotel, London is something not to be missed. Sketch is another afternoon tea hotspot offering a unique experience.
If you’re looking for a meal with a great view, you’ll want to make reservations at the Duck & Waffle. However, don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the most popular meal in London, fish and chips, at many local hotspots.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Nightlife in London can be anything you’d like it to be. There are nighttime tours of the city and surrounding areas for something a little more low-key, or you can head to a nightclub or one of the many music venues to turn up the entertainment dial.
From standup comedy and dramatic theater to the trendy clubs of the West End and even the casinos that can be found around town, nightlife in London is perfect for everyone.
Getting Around
As mentioned, visiting London requires a lot of walking. However, you can also choose to ride the subway, board a boat, or even hop on a bus or take a taxi. You may find the subway also referred to as “the underground” or “the tube.”
The cost of transportation by any of these methods will be determined by your destination’s distance from central London. The city and surrounding areas are divided into zones that determine distance and cost. If you’re going to be visiting for at least a few days, you may want to invest in a daily or weekly Travelcard pass.
Accommodations
There are many choices in accommodations when visiting London. You may find a great Airbnb location, and you can also find everything from a small hostel to a five-star, luxury hotel. The accommodations you choose should be determined by your budget, but also by the type of experience you’re looking for. An Airbnb can instantly make you feel like a local.
A hostel can provide plenty of opportunities to meet other tourists and learn more about attractions and eateries. If you’re looking for a luxury experience, the Camden Enterprise Hotel or even the Dorset City London can provide it.
Weather
The average low temperatures during the winter months are in the mid-40s Fahrenheit or around 7°C. These mild winter temperatures make London an ideal vacation spot for the holidays. July, London’s hottest month of the year, usually doesn’t reach the 70s Fahrenheit, or above 18⁰ Celsius.
Even with mild temperatures during the summer, it can feel quite humid and you may run into a short shower or two. Once again, always have an umbrella handy.
Attractions
First we would recommend a full tour of the city of London so that you can see where all the sites and areas you want to visit. Then you can go back and take more time to explore the areas you are interested in.
A vacation to London necessitates a visit to Buckingham Palace. Other attractions include the Coca-Cola London Eye, the Ferris wheel easily seen in every London skyline, as well as historical landmarks such as Kensington Palace, the London Tower, or the Churchill War Rooms.
While in London, be sure to visit one of the many museums and art galleries that can be found in nearly every area of the city. Parks, waterfronts, and bridges provide great photo ops and can provide a beautiful place to rest and take in the local sights.
For you fans of Harry Potter we would recommend a tour of filming locations of Harry Potter in London. You will appreciate the movies and books that much more when you actually visit the locations!
Maybe the best way to get most of the sights to see in London is a Thames River sightseeing and dinner cruise. You will glide by the sights on the beautiful Thames River while enjoying lunch or dinner and avoiding the crowds.
If you want to see a castle, the Windsor Castle is a don’t miss! This 1000 year old castle has been home to 39 monarchs and currently the Queen spends many weekends there. To fully appreciate the splendor, be sure to take a guided tour of Windsor Castle.
The History, Beauty, and Mysticism of Stonehenge
When planning your vacation to London, be sure to plan for a day trip to Stonehenge while there. A guided tour of Stonehenge will allow you to experience the English countryside, the 18th-century city of Bath, the ancient Roman baths, 14th-century English pubs, and more.
However, that doesn’t mean you can skip on visiting the many museums and art galleries, enjoying some of the best food available, and taking time to appreciate the beautiful mix of modern style and historical sites that London provides.
Enjoy your trip to London!
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The Tower of London and Crown Jewels Easy Access Tour is our Editors Choice for the best Tower of London tour
