Have exclusive access to one of London’s most popular and in-demand landmarks, and bypass the crowds, on this VIP tour of the Tower of London. Begin the tour with early, skip-the-line access, and get to explore the UNESCO-listed landmark’s highlights before the crowds arrive. You’ll also be among the first visitors to enter the Tower of London’s world-famous Jewel House, where the glittering Crown Jewels await.

Beat the throngs on this VIP, early-access Tower of London tour
Explore the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site
Enjoy the rare chance to see the famed Crown Jewels without crowds
Passes for a Thames river cruise are also included in the cost

What's Included

Local English-speaking guide
Expertly guided walking tour
First entrance ticket for Tower of London
First entrance ticket for Jewel House
Flexible one-way ticket for London river cruise

Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 5BU, UK
This tour meets in front of the Tower of London shop, opposite the entrance to the Tower of London. Your guide will be holding a Walks sign.

Start time

08:30 AM

End point

London Aldgate
London EC3N 1BJ, UK
Tower of London (inside).

What To Expect

In the morning, greet your guide outside of the Tower of London. Your VIP experience of one of London’s most iconic landmarks begins with the opening ceremony, during which you’ll see the Yeoman Warder and a military escort march to open both the middle Tower and the Byward Tower.

Then, you’ll be one of the first people to head inside the Jewel House and admire the Crown Jewels. Without the crowds to contend with, you can take your time and admire on of the most dazzling collections of riches in the world.

Hear about more than 1,000 years of history as you explore the Tower Walls, peek inside the refurbished bedroom of Edward I, and say hello to the tower’s resident ravens. Your experience concludes with a tour of the White Tower, a refurbished medieval castle.

Say goodbye to your guide and receive a flexible pass for a sightseeing cruise on the Thames River.

Tower of London

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Jewel House

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Tower of London

1 hour 55 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible/mobility friendly. Those with wheelchairs and mobility issues should contact us so we can arrange your visit.
Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to London government guidelines for the most up to date information
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

178 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 178 reviews

Our tour guide Aaron, was...

Shannon_G, Apr 2024

Our tour guide Aaron, was great. The content of the tour, not so much. Maybe I’m just not into history, but all the talk of kings and queens was too much for me. Loved the early access to the tower and the Crown Jewels

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi Shannon, It sounds like you had a mixed experience on the tour. It's great to hear that you enjoyed the early access to the tower and seeing the Crown Jewels! Those are definitely highlights for many visitors 😉 As for the historical content focused on kings and queens, it's understandable that it might not be everyone's cup of tea. If you're interested in exploring other tours or experiences that focus on different aspects of London or its history, I'd be happy to provide some recommendations! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with at feedback@walks.org. Sincerely, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours

Early Access is the way to go

Jodi_M, Apr 2024

It was great being able to get into the Tower before everyone else and learn and see the opening ceremony up close. It was also nice to be one of the first groups to get in to see the Crown Jewels. So impressive!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi Jodi, We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your early access to the Tower and had the opportunity to witness the opening ceremony up close. It sounds like an unforgettable time! If you're seeking more immersive experiences, we highly recommend the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. It offers an enchanting journey into the magical world of Harry Potter, with behind-the-scenes access to iconic sets, costumes, and props from the beloved film series 🔮🪄 We truly hope to welcome you again soon! Best, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours

Early access Tower of London Tour

MikeandLaura_S, Mar 2024

Great tour guide with loads of knowledge and good humor. Getting in early to see the opening and early access to the Crown Jewels were definitely worth it on a crowded bank holiday weekend.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi Mike and Laura, It sounds like you had a fantastic experience with our tour guide! We're delighted to hear that their knowledge and humor added to your enjoyment. Getting in early for the opening and accessing the Crown Jewels before the crowds is indeed a great strategy, especially on a busy bank holiday weekend. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to see you again soon for more memorable adventures! Kind regards, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours

Great tour

Adam_W, Mar 2024

Great tour. Don’t use the address for the meetup. Just put the Tower of London gift shop in your map app and go there. This tour works great because you get in early to see the opening ceremony (there was only one other group in with us). Then you move to the Crown Jewels - once open all tourists start entering and it can fill up fast - the tour guide here gets you a head start. Very informative for over 3 hours by the guide. You get a boat ticket as well. Check the City Cruises website for how you can use it. Tour is well worth the money.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Adam, Thanks for the helpful tips and feedback on the tour! It's great to hear that you found the meetup instructions clear and that the early access allowed you to enjoy the opening ceremony and beat the crowds at the Crown Jewels. We're glad the guide provided informative commentary throughout the tour, and we appreciate your recommendation regarding the boat ticket. We're delighted that you found the tour well worth the money. If you ever decide to come back, we'd love to welcome you on more tours in London 😊 Sincerely, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours

Fantastic booking. Would...

Scott_S, Mar 2024

Fantastic booking. Would recommend to anyone wanting to tour the Tower of London. Our tour guide was fantastic. The Tower Tour was very detailed and the river boat back to Westminster was a very good way to see the city.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Scott, We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic booking experience and enjoyed your tour of the Tower of London! It's wonderful that your tour guide made the experience memorable and that you found the Tower Tour to be detailed and informative. Taking the riverboat back to Westminster sounds like a fantastic way to see the city from a different perspective. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! Best regards, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours

Amazing

David_W, Mar 2024

James was amazing. He showed us so many incredible things and had so many intriguing stories to share.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hello David, Thank you for sharing your glowing feedback! We're thrilled to hear that James provided you with an amazing tour experience, showcasing incredible sights and sharing intriguing stories along the way. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future 😉 Kind wishes, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours

Guy was great! Excellent way to see Tower of London.

Chuck_H, Mar 2024

We were looking for early admission to the Tower of London. We got that and a whole lot more. Guy guided us through the experience with memorable stories. We also enjoyed the bonus boat ride to Greenwich.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Dear Chuck_H, I’m delighted to hear that your visit to the Tower of London exceeded expectations! Early admission is a fantastic way to beat the crowds and immerse yourself in history. Guy, our guide, sounds like a gem—sharing captivating stories that must have made the experience even more memorable. And the bonus boat ride to Greenwich adds an extra layer of adventure! We are excited to welcome you again soon 😊 With best wishes, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours

My tour guide Nigel was...

David_M, Jan 2024

My tour guide Nigel was awesome. Very personable and knowledgeable. 10/10 would do it again. His sense of humor was spot on and the early Tower tour had the group out in front of the crowds.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hello David, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are glad to know you had a wonderful time on tour with Nigel. It's great to have such a guide in our team! Whenever you wish, we would be happy to see you again. Warm regards, Andrii

Tower

Dana_H, Dec 2023

We loved the the beefeaters but the crown jewels were ok. The tour guide was fantastic but the whole story wasn’t told.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Dear Dana, Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent Early Access Tower of London Tour with the Opening Ceremony & Cruise. We appreciate your feedback and are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the company of the Beefeaters and found our tour guide to be fantastic. We regret to hear that the Crown Jewels did not meet your expectations, and we sincerely apologize for any disappointment you may have experienced. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we would like to learn more about your specific concerns regarding the narrative of the tour. Please feel free to reach out to us at feedback@walks.org with any specific feedback or suggestions you may have. Once again, thank you for choosing Walks for your Tower of London experience. We look forward to the opportunity to better understand your concerns and to welcome you on future tours that exceed your expectations. Best regards, Jhonas. Walks and Devour Tours.

Was a good tour

Rick_S, Dec 2023

Good trip watching the opening of the gates was great on the day didn't really need first access to the royal jewellery as was very quiet December 15

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hello Rick, Thank you for the feedback! We are glad you had a good trip enjoying the Opening Ceremony! If you're interested in any of our other experiences, we'd be delighted to have you join us! Warm regards, Andrii

Excellent tour of the Tower

Anonymous, Dec 2023

Vicky was so friendly and knowledgeable. She explained everything in a very interesting way and she answered all our questions. As far as booking thru Viator, the location to exchange the voucher took us to a parking garage. Quite a bit of unnecessary walking in the pouring rain. And then to find out that step wasn’t necessary. We just had to go to the meeting point, which was not clearly marked either.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Dear Anonymous, Thank you for your kind words regarding our guide! It's a pleasure to know that her work is valued and appreciated. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the voucher exchange and the confusion regarding the meeting point. Your comfort and satisfaction are of the utmost importance to us, and we are committed to addressing these issues to improve the overall experience for our guests. We're looking forward to having you back on tour. Warm wishes, Andrii

Good tour

Jeremy_P, Nov 2023

Whether by design or by chance, we were a small group of around 12-15, the guide was a late middle-aged American who had lived in the UK for many years (and for long enough in Italy to speak the language well) and earned his blue badge, he pitched his spiel at the right level for our group of mainly Americans and a couple of kids (i.e., simply and unpretentiously) but had no trouble going into more detail when pressed; no b.s. so far as I could tell. My kids (aged 9 and 10) remained engaged throughout the 3 hours of our tour and very much enjoyed the visit. The "tower" was not crowded during our tour, which started at 8.30 AM on a weekday in late October, after the UK mid term holidays.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Dear Jeremy, Thank you for this feedback! We limit the group size for this tour to a maximum of 20 people to ensure the best possible experience. We're excited to hear that Geoffrey successfully kept you and your kids engaged during the tour. We value the positive impact our guides can have on our guests, and we're delighted to know that your tour was enjoyable and captivating. Looking forward to welcoming you once more! Warm regards, Andrii

Great experience at the Tower!

Jennifer_J, Oct 2023

I was a little unsure about this tour because we had heard that you could do the opening ceremony on your own by simply getting to the Tower early. We booked anyway and I’m so glad we did! Marc was our guide. He immediately connected with our eight year old son, who knows an astonishing amount of information about Henry VIII and was likely to be talkative. Marc made him the fact-checker and had him verify what he was telling us. There were a couple other kids, slightly older, on our tour and Marc included them as well. Like all tour guides, Marc had a piece of flair to make him easy to track and our son loved the “yellow fist of fun.” Upon arrival, we went inside the walls of the Tower and so got to see the opening ceremony from inside rather than outside, like everyone else standing out there. From inside you get to see the keys being handed over and the keepers marching to open the gates. It’s very dramatic. The head yeoman also gives the group some history of the Tower and talks about the role of the guards and how they come to work and live at the Tower. Marc sent us inside to see the Crown Jewels because the tour guides cannot accompany you there. Afterwards, he took us inside the various other buildings and to the site where some of the beheadings took place. We finished by learning about the ravens. We did also take advantage of the river cruise. You can board the boat right outside the Tower gift shop. We rode it back to Westminster Pier, which was close to our hotel. Highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Dear Jennifer_J, Thank you for the review provided. We are delighted to read that you enjoyed the time with your guide and gave him a 5-star rating. We of course take great pride in selecting only the best guides, and we know how hard they work to fulfill the highest expectations. When we read such comments, we understand that all our hard work has not been in vain. We can't wait to see you on one of our tours again! Best, Sasha

Great Tour

Susan_H, Oct 2023

Our guide Alex was amazing. He was funny, personable & gave us great stories about the history of London Tower. Being a long time history buff of those times it was great to hear our guide say everything I've read was true

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Dear Susan_H, Thank you for the review provided! We are extremely happy to hear that you had a great experience with us and enjoyed the tour. We look forward to seeing you with us in the near future! Best, Sasha

Those who forget history ….

Jack_N, Oct 2023

Excellent tour guide. Very interesting history spanning 1000 years. The crown jewels are spectacular.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Dear Jack_N, Thank you for providing us with this feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with us and cannot wait to see you back on one of our tours. Best, Sasha

Great tour

Karen_B, Sep 2023

Our guide was very knowledgeable and attentive to the members of our group. We appreciated having microphone with earbuds so we could hear her at all times. The tour lasted 2 1/2 hrs

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Dear Karen_B, Thank you for the review provided. We are delighted to hear that you have wonderful memories from the tour. We hope you enjoyed London to the fullest and look forward to seeing you again with us! Best, Sasha

Fantastic tour

Jeannine_F, Sep 2023

I have taken many tours when I travel, Our guide ( darn can't remember her name ) was absolutely fantastic. Wow, did she know her stuff. We had fun and we learned so much about the incredible long history of the "Tower or London" . Lots of fun facts and stories . I feel horrible I can't remember our guides name, I think it started with an A , This young women was a delight and would take all her tours.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Jeannine_F, Thank you for the review provided. When we read such comments, we understand that all our hard work has not been in vain. We look forward to seeing you with us in the near future! Best, Sasha

Loved it

Susan_W, Sep 2023

Great tour guide-Ben! Loved seeing Beefeaters and opening ceremony. Early opening the best way to see this attraction.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Susan_W, Thank you for the review provided. We are very delighted to hear that you had a great time with us and enjoyed every minute of it. We can't wait to see you on one of our tours again! Best, Sasha

Highly recommend this tour.

Dale_B, Sep 2023

Mark is an outstanding guide and very deserving of his Blue Badge. Great, relevant stories. The Crown Jewels are amazing. Nice to get in before the masses arrive.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Dale_B, Thank you for the review provided! We are extremely happy to hear that you had a great experience with us. We hope you had a fantastic time in London, with all its magnificence and charm. Best, Sasha

Excellent Tour with opening key ceremony a highlight & early access to Crown Jewels- highly recommend

Susan_A, Sep 2023

Excellent Guide & Tour with the very special Keys opening a real highlight - Guide had great stories, you could hear Guide clearly because of the audio issued by Guide; we were one of the first to get in to Crown Jewels by going on this Tour; Walks Guides were easy to find at start and at the time they said - you do need to be there by 8.15am as they recommend so everyone can be issued their audio and tickets; thoroughly recommend this particular tour- great value. At the end - you could stay on in Tower as long as you liked.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Susan_A, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this feedback. We are extremely happy to hear that you had a great experience with us and enjoyed the tour. We look forward to seeing you with us in the near future! Best, Sasha

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