Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise

Duration4h 45m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 20 travelers

Overview

Skip the line and start your morning inside the Tower of London, a former royal residence, and experience history brought to life. You’ll admire the precious Crown Jewels and then enjoy an hour to explore at your own pace. Next, soak in views of Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, The Shard, and more on a relaxing river cruise down the River Thames. You'll disembark in Westminster, where you'll set off on a walking tour. Learn why each stop earned its spot in England's royal and political history as you pass Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and end with a peaceful stroll through St. James' Park. This walking tour covers London's main sites in under 5 hours.

Unlock even more Tower of London secrets and watch the storied Opening Ceremony by selecting the Opening Ceremony option when booking. After the Opening Ceremony, you'll enjoy a complete tour of the Tower of London with a certified Blue Badge Guide and finish with a relaxing river cruise down the River Thames.

Options

VIP Opening Ceremony Option

Duration: 3 hours
VIP Access Upgrade & Cruise: See the opening ceremony and Crown Jewels before the crowds. Full tour of the Tower with & river cruise. NO history walk

Best of London Tour Option

Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes
Tower of London & River Cruise: Early entry to Crown Jewels, History walk, Tower of London & River Cruise. DOES NOT include Opening Ceremony

What's included

Guided walk past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben & Westminster Abbey
Cruise on the River Thames with views of Tower Bridge, St Pauls Catherdral & Shakespeare's Globe
Entrance to Tower of London with first access to Crown Jewels
Explore the Tower viewing Blood Gates, the legendary ravens & the castle walls Ca

Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Gratuities
Entrance to other monuments
Guided tour of Tower of London

What to expect

Jewel House
45m · Admission ticket included

Meet your local tour leader and head into the tower. You'll head straight to the Jewel House, which means you’ll be able to grab a prime spot to view the Crown Jewels. If you want to start your Tower of London tour with a behind-the-scenes look of day-to-day life at the Tower, select the Opening Ceremony option when booking. The Opening Ceremony is a notable military ritual that officially opens the famous historical edifice. After the Opening Ceremony, your tour will continue to the Jewel House.
Tower of London
1h · Admission ticket included

You'll have free time to explore the entire complex at your own pace. Your tour leader will share suggestions based on your interests. By the end of your visit, you'll be equipped with the complete story of the Tower and its importance as a symbol of royal, state and historic power.
Bloody Tower
Pass by

See the sites where famous prisoners were executed, and choose to venture into the Bloody Tower to hear the story of the two princes, which has become a legend in its own right. Various sources say their ghosts are among the specters that have been sighted at the Tower at night. From there, step into the Torture Tower and learn about this horrid practice in British history. Though it has never been officially been permitted in English law, torture was used to extract confessions from prisoners brought to the Tower of London.
White Tower
Pass by

White Tower is the heart of the Tower of London, and you’ll have the chance to explore the armory. See armor used by Henry VIII, Charles I, and James II on display.
Thames River
1h 5m · Admission ticket included

Reunite with your tour leader and board a sightseeing cruise down the River Thames, you'll see Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Shard—the tallest building in the UK—Shakespeare's Globe Theater and more.
London Eye
Pass by

An observation wheel and fixture on the London skyline popularized in movies and TV shows.
Tower Bridge
Pass by

A 19th century drawbridge still in use today and one of London's most recognizable landmarks.
St. Paul's Cathedral
Pass by

A symbol of resilience, having been rebuilt after the Great Fire and survived WWII bombings. The cathedral also hosted the state funeral for Sir Winston Churchill.
Westminster Abbey
20m · Admission ticket not included

The river cruise ends in Westminster, where your tour leader will take you on a walking tour of England's royal history. Pause outside Westminster Abbey, where Coronations and royal weddings have been held for centuries.
Big Ben
10m · Admission ticket not included

Gaze up at the clock tower standing next to the Houses of Parliament and an iconic symbol of the capital city.
Houses of Parliament
20m · Admission ticket not included

The center of political life in the UK for centuries, with the current building dating back to the 1860s and 1870s.
Buckingham Palace
20m · Admission ticket not included

Continue past Buckingham Palace to see the official residence of King Charles III and many other British monarchs before him.
St. James's Park
20m · Admission ticket not included

Finally, finish with a peaceful stroll through St. James' Park, the oldest Royal Park in London.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at 5BT, Tower Place West, 50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6DT, UK. Meet at the West Gate entrance, opposite the Starbucks and in front of the Tower of London giftshop.

End point

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
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.
This tour is in English.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests. Depending on the option you select, your itinerary may vary slightly.
Note: the Opening Ceremony option does not include a royal history walking tour of Westminster.
Note: If the Opening Ceremony option is selected the tour will end at the Tower of London.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (306)