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.
Best Tower of London Tours
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Departure Point: | Tower of London | Central London | Central London |
| Departure Time: | 8:20 AM | 8:45 AM | 8:15 AM |
| Duration: | 6 hours, 30 minutes (approx.) | 9 hours (approx.) | 8 hours (approx.) |
| Includes: | Tower of London tickets and St. Paul’s Cathedral tickets, overall tour of the city, expert guides, learn local streets and typical London life | Air-conditioned coach tour of the city, guided tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral, stop for lunch at Trafalgar Square, Tower of London admission with free guided beefeater tour | Tour of Tower of London, coach tour on vintage bus, time to explore Borough Market independently, guided tour of Westminster Abbey, afternoon tea at the Abbey |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best-Rated Tower of London Tours
- 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 Tours Reviews
#1 Exclusive Access to Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral
- Departure Point: Tower of London
- Departure Time: 8:20 AM
- Duration: 6 hours, 30 minutes (approx.)
- Includes: Tower of London tickets and St. Paul’s Cathedral tickets, overall tour of the city, expert guides, learn local streets and typical London life
With exclusive access to the Tower of London before they officially open, your expert tour guides will show you many of the Tower’s treasures. When you enter the Tower, a Beefeater guard will join you and your assigned tour guide.
Together, they will introduce you to many of the site’s main features and tell you much of the Tower of London history.
The ravens that have occupied the White Tower since the reign of King Charles II are pampered and spoiled. This is due to the King believing that if the ravens ever left, the Tower would fall.
You’ll also view the Tower of London Crown Jewels. These are still in use by the Queen today, especially for important ceremonies.
Expand To See More After touring the Tower of London, you’ll head over St. Paul’s Cathedral just a short walk away. Usually, the Triforium has very limited access. However, this exclusive tour allows you guided tour access. You will also be guided through the crypt and the medieval library. The Dean’s Staircase may look familiar to you. This was featured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Very fitting since it is right next door to the Tower of London! Your tour guide will take you town both historic streets and modern ones as you learn more of the city of London. Your expert tour guide will climb on board your air-conditioned coach and guide you through Central London as well as other areas near and around the city center. Have your camera at the ready while you are driven through Parliament Square and by famous landmarks. You’ll even see Westminster Abbey, the site of a recent royal wedding. Your guided tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral allows you to learn more of its history, and even the legends surrounding it. You’ll also stop at a traditional London pub in Trafalgar Square for lunch, although it is at your own expense. Expand To See More This full-day tour includes Tower of London entry as well. You will have plenty of time to explore the Tower independently and official tours are offered every 30 minutes by a Beefeater guard. These tours are complimentary. After you visit Tower of London, your tour is officially over. However, you will be given a complimentary, one-way sightseeing cruise on the River Thames. For an upgrade fee, you will also receive a ticket for the London Eye. Both of these tickets can be used on any day you wish. There’s nothing like touring London on a vintage, 1960’s Routemaster bus. You will board the bus along with your expert tour guide as you view many of the city’s iconic landmarks and learn much of the history surrounding them. This tour of the Tower of London offers early access in one of the very first tours of the day. This particular Tower of London tour will first take you to the White Tower where a warden will tell you of the unique history this tower has. You’ll also see all four floors of the tower. The Crown Jewels on display are still used by the Queen today. The Royal Armouries Collection offers you an inside look into the history of London. This tour includes your Tower of London entrance fee. Expand To See More After touring London Tower, you’ll head over to Borough Market. This market pre-dates the tower and has been a busy, international market for over a millennium. Take your time to see each market stall and event try a few things yourself. You’ll then be led on a guided tour of Westminster Abbey. This is the church used for coronations and is also the resting place of 17 of England’s monarchs. You’ll be left to enjoy your afternoon tea at the Cellarium Café inside the Abbey. You’ll first arrive at London Tower before Tower of London hours begin. The opening ceremony shows the pageantry of the English people and is not something to be missed. You’ll also view the Crown Jewels, see the White Tower, and other important places within the tower. The Tower Green was home to many executions, including that of Anne Boleyn. The 30-minute sightseeing cruise along the River Thames will bring you past many other city sites. Your guide will point out Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben, just to name a few. Expand To See More After the cruise, you’ll head to Buckingham Palaces to enjoy the Changing of the Guard Ceremony or even the Horse Guards’ Parade. While walking around the palace, your expert guide will tell you about Queen Elizabeth II herself, as well as point out various places on and around the palace that are important, such as the balcony where the royal family appears during events. In addition to your Tower of London entry free, the cruise and walking tour are included in this inclusive Tower London walking tour. This tour package is perfect for first-time visitors to London who want to see a bit of everything in just a short walking tour of the city. 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. Expand To See More 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. Let’s help you make the most of your vacation to London with this guide! 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: 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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! Outside Pursuits chose the "Exclusive Access to Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral" tour package as our Editor's Choice for its overall value and private setting. Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
#2 London in One Day Sightseeing Tour Including Tower of London
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100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Experiences You May Enjoy:
#3 Early-Access Tower of London Tour
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100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
#4 Royal London Walking Tour
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100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
#5 Best of London Including Tower of London
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100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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