Early Entry Tower of London Tour with the Beefeaters

Witness a centuries-old tradition before seeing the crown jewels with fewer crowds

Travel Flexibly 5 / 5 See All 21 Reviews · 2.00h · London, England

Prefer an early morning visit to the Tower of London that comes with a bonus? Then you’ll love this chance to watch the famous Beefeaters ceremoniously open the gates after making you laugh at their jokes. And you’ll be able to grab that essential photo with the Beefeater guards before being one of the first to see the crown jewels! Of course, your guide will also make sure to lead you through the stories of this centuries-old fortress as you explore the massive grounds here.

  • Open the Tower of London Gates
  • Witness historic tradition
  • Early entry to the Tower
  • Beefeater's Quarters
  • Crown Jewels
  • Traitor's Gate
  • Tales of the Tower
  • Wakefield and Bloody Towers
  • Tower Green
  • White Tower

Meet your engaging local guide near the entrance of the Tower of London where you'll gather with your small group to witness the traditional opening ceremony by the Beefeaters. It's a surprisingly fun experience despite how important it is too. Afterwards, enjoy a guided tour to see the Tower’s highlights like seeing the crown jewels, meeting the resident ravens, and learning a darker side of English history.

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.

What you get with this tour
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
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21 total reviews

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5.0/5 (based on 21 reviews)
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1 stars
Great Experience
03 November 2023
M
Reviewed by
MARY ANN RIDGWAY

Our guide, Ben, was knowledgeable, patient and just over all wonderful. I had my five year old grandchild and he modified some aspects, including her in so she felt a part of the group. He even made sure she had a prime spot to watch the opening ceremony. I would highly recommend him!

Tower of London
30 October 2023
T
Reviewed by
Tom Clow

This tour was excellent from start to finish, we would highly recommend it! Skip the line in the morning with no crowds and watching the Beefeaters open the Tower gates , is the only way to go. Thanks Nick , you knew your history , you were easy to listen to and the added humor was a bonus .

Great site!
23 October 2023
D
Reviewed by
DEBORAH PANTONI

Our tour leader was good . Getting to see the Crown Jewels before the crowds and meeting the Beefeaters was a nice addition. I think this site is best for families instead of adults on their own. There were Halloween activities that were made for youngsters.

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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 enter the tower before the crowds?

Mostly, yes. There are limited tickets for the opening ceremony so the general public won't be inside yet.

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