The Tower of London, one of London's most popular attractions is a true amalgamation of a robust fortress and a majestic palace. Housing stories of supremacy as well as that of horror, there is much to discover behind the walls of this famed landmark.
Built to create awe in the minds of Londoners, it was considered to be the most secure castle in the city. It guarded the royal family as well as the aristocratic wealth during troubled times. However, the Tower of London also safeguarded stories of horror within its mysterious chambers. The royal family imprisoned and executed numerous enemies within its walls, transforming it into an execution chamber. Thus, the tales of the rich and the poor coexisted inside its curtain walls.
Getting yourself Tower of London tickets when in London is a no-brainer, but the real question is: should you opt for a guided tour? Let's find out together.
Advantages of A Tower of London Guided Tour?
Convenience and security are guaranteed!
Visiting the sprawling Tower of London is a must, making it an ever-crowded attraction. Booking a guided tour ensures you bypass ticketing queues and head right into the attraction with your guide leading the way. You can tick off convenience and security off your list of preferences right away.
Insight into the curious ravens
Right at the beginning of your tour, you'll be introduced to Jubilee, Merlina, and some othe ravens that guard the mysterious tower. Don't get too close, they can bite. Find out about the secrets that lie behind the walls of the tower and gain further insight into the tower's many highlights.
Custom-made tours to suit your interests
There are a handful of Tower of London tours you can choose from: be it a private tour, an early-access tour, Beefeater tours, or combo tours- we've got you covered. With options aplenty, you are free to choose the tour of your choice.
Fret not about tour logistics
The best part about guided tours is that you don't have to worry about the planning. All you have to do is show up and have a ball: walk the halls of the tower and drink in the mysterious interiors as your guide paints a picture of the horrors that once unfolded in this very tower.
A good look at the jewel house
Guided tour or not, you'll get a good look at the tower's famous jewel house. With a guide to lead the way, however, you'll have more context around the precious jewels housed here and its significance to British history.
The Best Tower of London Guided Tours
With a myriad of Tower of London tours available at the tip of your fingers, you no longer have to worry about finding a time slot. Here is a list of our recommended Tower of London tours we think you'll enjoy.
Tower of London Tickets with Crown Jewels and Beefeaters Tour
- Explore the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the center of the British Monarchy.
- Enjoy a guided tour of the Tower of London by the Yeoman Warders, the ceremonial guard of the castle.
- Witness the Royal Armouries’ collection in the White Tower.
- Spend some time exploring St. Peter ad Vincula.
Tower of London VIP Early Access and Best of Royal London Tour
- Visit the Tower of London even before it is open to the public and discover the royal secrets hidden behind its curtained walls.
- Witness the Opening Ceremony as it is performed by the Beefeaters, the ceremonial guard of the castle.
- Enjoy a peaceful river shuttle up the Thames and discover various landmarks along the way.
- Witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony or the Horse Guards Parade, depending on the weather.
- End your tour at the Buckingham Palace as you take in its incredible architecture and expansive gardens.
Early Access Crown Jewels: Tower of London Complete Tour with Opening Ceremony
- Embark on an early morning guided tour with skip-the-line access to the magnificent Tower of London.
- Witness one of the oldest ceremonies in the world, the opening ceremony of the Tower of London.
- Admire the Crown Jewels that have been kept on display inside the Jewel House.
- Explore the different parts of the tower such as the White Tower, the Bloody Tower, the Torture Chamber, and the old execution site.
All about the Tower Of London Post COVID-19 Lockdown
Choosing the Best Tower of London Tour For You
Overwhelmed by the choices of tickets? Need help figuring out what guided tour is ideal for you? Let's find out together.
1Private Guided Tour
A 2-hour private tour will show you the best of the Tower of London- one of the city's oldest monuments- in the most efficient way possible. You'll be in and out in under 2 hours and have covered all the important highlights of the attraction. Delve deeper into the history of the tower's eerie reputation!
2Includes Opening Ceremony
Why go to the Tower of London and not witness the famed "opening ceremony"? One of the world's oldest traditional ceremonies, this is one you don't want to miss. This takes place at 9 AM when the a military escort and the Duty Yeoman Warder open the towers.
3Early Access to Crown Jewels
Want to beat the crowds and enjoy an early-morning tour of the Tower of London? Book your tickets now. Enjoy the Tower of London before the tourist crowds come swarming in and gasp at the precious crown jewels housed here!
4Walking Tours
Walk alongside an expert tour guide to two of London's must-visit attractions in under 5 hours- one of which is the iconic Tower of London. As you walk through the attractions, your guide will regale dark tales hidden behind the walls of this tower.
5Royal London Tour
Want to see the best of London in under 4 hours? Consider the Royal London Tour that includes VIP early-access to the tower of london, the jewel house, witnessing the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, a river shuttle on the Thames, and a guided walking tour of the Buckingham Palace- while being accompanied by your friendly tour guide!
Tower of London: Guided Tour Highlights
The Crown Jewels
Safely tucked away in the Tower of London, the Crown Jewel collection mainly consists of ornaments fashioned for King Charles II. It is interesting to note that some of these ornaments in the present-day Tower of London are still worn by the queen! Keep an eye out for the tag that says ‘In Use’. The Sovereign ring and St Edward’s Crown are some of the most popular pieces to be found here. Apart from jewelry, you can also see historically rich articles like the royal serving dishes.
Yeoman Warder Guided Tour
The perfect introduction to the Tower of London, the Yeoman Warders will regale you with tales from the past. From a fortress to a prison, trace the history of the Tower of London through the years. You will come to know about how the White Tower was built, the famous prisoners who were executed in the towers and more.
The White Tower
One of the most iconic landmarks of London, this World Heritage Site was originally built to detain invaders. The Royal Armouries collections are housed here, and boasts artefacts that are 350 years old. The Chapel Royal of St John is another one of the castle’s attractions. This 11th-century chapel is truly worth visiting.
The Bloody Tower
Originally known as the Garden Tower, the Bloody Tower is perhaps most famous for the mysterious muder of 13-year-old Edward V and his brother Richard, the Duke of York, which is believed to have taken place there. Legend goes that the ghosts of these young princes still haunt the Bloody Tower.
Tower of London Practical Information
Opening Hours
Open daily from 9 AM – 5:30 PM.
Timings are subject to change. We recommend you check the timings on the official website on the day you head out.
Getting to the Tower of London
Adress: London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom. Get Directions
The Tower of London can be easily accessed by public transport plus. Most hop on hop off tour buses also stop at the Tower.
- Tube: The closest tube station is Tower Hill (Circle and District lines).
- Bus: 15, 42, 78, 100, and RV1.
- Overground: The closest stations are Fenchurch Street and London Bridge.
- Riverboat: The closest river access point is Tower Pier.
All about the Tower Of London Entrances
Tower of London Tours: Travel Tips
Here are some handy tips to keep in mind while booking your Tower of London tour:
- To avoid the hustle and bustle that engulfs the tower on any given day, make sure that you arrive right at the opening time. This will give you time to explore in peace without running into tourists at every corner.
- If you are planning to explore the Tower of London, it would be wise to first visit the exhibition displaying the Crown Jewels. Since this is one of the most popular attractions, it will soon get crowded and you will have to wait for hours to gain entry.
- You cannot stand and admire the Crown Jewels for as long as you want. In order to avoid the blockage of the display cases, visitors are required to step on a conveyor belt that will take them around the collection. If you feel that you did not get enough time with the Crown Jewels, fret not! You can simply get back on the conveyor belt and admire the collection all over again.
- Even during peak hours while the main areas are swamped with tourists, you can always find one or two quiet spots in the vicinity. If you are looking to spend some down time admiring the towers, head over to the benches near the South Battlements. They offer you an unrivaled view of the White Tower.
- Due to security reasons, photography is not allowed in certain areas. The rules are quite strict, so make sure that you comply with them for a hassle-free trip.
Reviews For Tower of London Tours
Visited on 23/08/21, absolutely loved our yeoman warden guide John - amazing and entertaining story teller and also made an effort to acknowledge the bad things going on in the world and made some really touching tributes. Hearing what ranks you would need to reach in the forces etc to be in his position made me feel in awe and quite privileged to be in his presence also. He really made the trip for me! I love visiting the Tower of London and the history of it all is incredible, the whole place is kept immaculately clean, it wasn’t too crowded, queue for Crown Jewels went quicker than anticipated and the staff in all the shops were super helpful and polite (shout out to a couple of staff in the tower shop and a lady in the Raven shop who spent quite some time helping me try to track down a beafeater teddy (tip - if you want one and you see one - buy it!!!! we couldn’t get one in the end despite best efforts as were all sold out)
Ami M, Tripadvisor 2021
Great day out, a lot to see. Day was made better by one of the ushers Jeff Ferguson who took time out to give us a bit of a history lesson
William L, Tripadvisor 2021
Read more reviews about Tower Bridge tours here.
FAQs
How long does a Tower of London tour take?
How long does a Tower of London tour take?
Which are the attractions covered in a Tower of London tour?
Which are the attractions covered in a Tower of London tour?
Do I need to buy Tower of London tour in advance?
Do I need to buy Tower of London tour in advance?
Can I take photographs of the Crown Jewels?
Can I take photographs of the Crown Jewels?
Can I bring food into the Tower of London?
Can I bring food into the Tower of London?
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