Early Entry Tower of London Tour with the Beefeaters

Early Access Tower of London Tour Description

Your 2-hour guided tour includes:

• Tower of London opening ceremony

• Fun stories and pictures with the Beefeaters

• Early access to the crown jewels

• In-depth guided tour with Traitor’s Gate, Bloody Tower, and more

• Friendly, knowledgeable tour guide

• Maximum group size of 20

Open the Tower of London Gates

Your early-access Tower of London tour starts with military precision—and more laughs than you might expect. The Beefeaters fulfill this opening ceremony tradition that dates back to the 15th century! It's a serious affair only because the fortress is actually considered an active palace that the reining monarch could live in, if needed.

Follow your guide for a great view of this unique event. You'll hear the guards perform as if it's a dramatic, royal proclamation. But the Beefeaters also know how to entertain you as you watch them prepare the fortress for visitors, so expect some interactions with you and your group.

Early Access to the Crown Jewels

With your early access, you have the option to head straight to the Jewel House and avoid what later becomes an hour-long line to get in. Enjoy your quieter viewing of the most valuable items in British history. On the way there from the gate, your guide will share fascinating details about the 140 valuables bedazzled by priceless stones and coronation regalia of the English monarchy.

Some older items were destroyed during the English Civil War when the monarchy was temporarily abolished, but the collection was rebuilt in 1660 and remains an incredible display of royal riches. Watch for the oldest piece in the collection!

The Bloody Tower, Tower Green, and More

Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, this imposing fortress on the River Thames has played prison, palace, armory, and execution house through its long history. The iconic resident ravens will be watching from the walls as your guide leads you to the most important sites.

You'll see where prisoners were brought in from the river at Traitor’s Gate, the royal chapel, the Bloody Tower, and Tower Green where two of Henry VIII’s wives were executed. With all that and more, it's lucky you're with a guide to navigate this fortress and understand just what you're seeing!

The White Tower

The castle keep at the center of the Tower of London grounds was established by William the Conqueror as a symbol of Britain’s new power. It holds nearly 1,000 years of history within its thick stone walls that you can explore. Guides are not allowed in this building, but they'll be happy to share what you should watch for if you want to explore it on your own after your tour ends.