Exclusive Meet & Greet Tour with the Tower of London Beefeaters
Hear legends from the Guardians of the Tower of London before your full tour of the fortress
Are you the kind of traveler who only books the most exclusive tours? Then we have you covered. No one tells the stories of the Tower of London better than a Beefeater, also known as Yeoman Warders, so you’ll get a private meeting with one in Tower Green that most people miss! Afterwards, your expert guide will give you an in-depth tour to discover more about Tower Green, the Bloody Tower, Traitor’s Gate, and so much more. And of course, you have entry to the crown jewels too!
- Meeting point at Tower of London shop
- Meet your guide
- Enter Tower of London
- Exclusive Beefeater meet & greet
- Crown Jewels
- Traitor's Gate
- Tower Green
- The White Tower
- Say goodbye to your guide
Find your fun London guide and small group near the Tower of London’s main entrance, and after a quick introduction, head to your private meet and greet with an iconic Beefeater near Tower Green. Here, you’ll enjoy 15 minutes of exclusive time with a real Beefeater guard to hear stories, ask questions, and take photos before setting off on the rest of your tour.
Explore Tower’s highlights with your knowledgeable guide, including the crown jewels, the resident ravens, and much more. Discover the bloody tales of British history before ending at the White Tower, which you’re free to explore on your own.
Beefeater with Tower of London Tour Description
Your 2-hour tour includes:
Exclusive 15-minute meet and greet with a Beefeater
Entry to the crown jewels
In-depth tour of the Tower of London
Engaging local guide
Maximum group size of 25
Private Beefeater Experience
Step into history with the Beefeaters, the legendary Tower of London warders who guard the Crown Jewels and share royal secrets! The Beefeaters are as famous as the guards at Buckingham Palace, and they play just as important of a role. Since the 15th century, the Beefeaters have helped guard the throne's interests after fighting in the Battle of Bosworth that shifted power to the Tudors. You've probably seen them walking behind coronation and ceremonial carriages carrying those big pikes.
On this tour, you'll have an exclusive, private 15 minutes with one of them near Tower Green. You'll be highly entertained by their storytelling and jokes that will bring the importance of the Tower of London to life. Becoming a Beefeater is a coveted position that only those with at least 20 years in prior military service can apply for. If you're lucky, the Beefeater you speak with might even live onsite at the Tower, which is still considered an active palace today.
The Famous Crown Jewels
Britain’s crown jewels are a priceless collection of some 140 royal items with over 23,000 precious stones, including the elaborate coronation regalia of the English monarchy.
Your guide has in-depth descriptions of what to watch for, why they're important, and who they might have belonged to. Keep an eye out for the piece they note is the oldest in the entire collection! Many older items were destroyed during the English Civil War when the monarchy was briefly abolished, but the collection was reestablished in 1660 and holds some of the most valuable pieces in British history.
The Best of the Tower of London
With almost 1,000 years of British history contained within the fortress’ walls, exploring the Tower of London is a journey into a different time. Fortunately, you won't get overwhelmed or lost since your trusty local guide will be at your side. Established by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, this heavily fortified site on the Thames has been a palace, a prison, an armory, and the site of many famous executions through the centuries. It even once became a kind of zoo, housing a number of exotic animals!
This is a place filled with folklore and amazing stories that are even more poignant when you stand where they happened. Meet the resident ravens as your guide shows you famous locations like Traitor’s Gate, the royal chapels, and Tower Green where the likes of Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey were executed.
The White Tower
This imposing castle at the center of the Tower of London grounds was designed to scare off potential invaders and subdue the public of London. It's one of the main buildings you can actually see over the walls when you're outside of the fortress.
Your tour will likely end here, but you can head inside to explore on your own for as long as you like since guides are not allowed inside. They'll be sure to explain anything you absolutely have to see inside, like the armory that has some seriously impressive weaponry!
What you get with this tour
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See what people are saying
16 total reviews
Leave a reviewGreat tour!
Karon Braswell
Ben is wonderful and full of information!
Wonderful tour!
Janet Calegari
Our tour guide, Isabel, was so knowledgeable and always had a smile on her face. She gave us suggestions on going to Westminster Abbey at five for the music and we had a wonderful time there. She is an asset to your company!
Very informative tour with THE BEST GUIDE
Lynda Casey
Our meet & greet with a Beefeater was so much fun! Our guide, Ben, was friendly, knowledgeable & very personable. We met him prior to the opening of the Tower & he was able to give us some background information about the tour & the Tower prior to our entry. The queue was fast & easy. We then met Dan, one of the Beefeaters who then gave us background information about their role @ the castle. Next, we were able to ask questions along with each of us taking photos with him. Ben then brought us to the Crown Jewels Tower & again gave background information & were 1 of the first to see the jewels that day. Throughout the tour Ben was engaging, friendly & a wealth of knowledge. He even followed up with me after the tour to answer a question. I would highly recommend this tour! Ben made this day so memorable-thanks Ben😀
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes to suit the weather forecast.
What to bring?
Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes to suit the weather forecast.
Can I take photos at the Tower of London?
Photography is allowed in most areas, with the exception of the Jewel House and the Chapel of St. John.
Will the tour guide be with me the whole time?
Mostly, yes. However, the Tower of London does not allow licensed guides to enter the Jewel House or the White Tower. Your guide will share tons of fascinating information about these sites to prepare you to visit on your own.
Do we meet a Beefeater with other groups?
No, you'll get to speak with a Beefeater with only our customers, up to 50 people! But there won't be any other groups with you.