Pre-Opening Tower of London Entry with Exclusive Beefeater Ceremony
Watch the Yeoman Warders unlock the gates, then get first-of-the-day access to the Crown Jewels
When the Tower of London opens its gates, a select few guests are already inside with the Beefeaters. Want to be one of them? Join this exclusive early access tour for the Ceremonial Opening, where Yeoman Warders in full uniform march through the courtyard and unlock the fortress with military precision. You’ll also be among the first to enter the Jewel House and see the Crown Jewels. Plus, receive a map and audio guide app to explore at your own pace. Spots are limited, lock in yours today!
What You Get With This Tour
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An invite to a ceremony few visitors see
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Expert English-speaking tour leader
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Pre-opening access to the Tower of London
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Beefeater Opening Ceremony
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First-of-the-day viewing of the Crown Jewels
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Tour of the Tower of London external grounds
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Map & audio guide app for the Tower of London
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See Traitors' Gate, Bloody Tower, Tower Green, and more
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Guided tour of Tower of London
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins outside the Tower of London
Meet your tour leader just outside the Tower of London Gift Shop. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and a welcome briefing, so your early access guided tour can get underway on time. -
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Walk the external medieval grounds
Follow your tour leader on a guided walking tour around the outer walls of the Tower of London. Pass Traitors' Gate and the Thames-facing ramparts while hearing stories of medieval prisoners, ravens, and royal intrigue. -
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Head inside the Tower of London before it opens to the public
Before going inside, your tour leader hands off a Tower of London map and audio guide link and says farewell. A Yeoman Warder then leads your group through a side entrance and into the empty fortress for a ceremony briefing. -
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Witness the Beefeater opening ceremony
Few travelers ever witness this: the Yeoman Warders march down in full regalia and unlock the Tower of London with theatrical flair. You'll stand steps away from a living royal ritual that few visitors get to see. -
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See the Crown Jewels before the crowds arrive
After the ceremony, we recommend heading straight to the Jewel House for first-of-the-day access to the Crown Jewels. Marvel at the Imperial State Crown and Sovereign's Sceptre before the queues form. -
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Explore with your map and audio guide app
After admiring the Crown Jewels, cue up the audio guide on your phone and begin your self-paced exploration of the Tower of London. Your map highlights hidden corners like the Bloody Tower, the ravens' roost, and the execution site. -
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Your tour ends inside the Tower of London
There’s no hurry to head out. With an all-day ticket, you’re free to explore the White Tower armories, Bloody Tower, Tower Green, and the Chapel Royal for as long as you like.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Accessibility: Due to uneven terrain and historic surfaces, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us in advance if you have questions or concerns about your mobility. You can also join our Private Tower of London Tour for a fully customizable experience.
Map & Audio Guide App: You’ll receive a printed map along with a link to an audio guide app for your visit to the Tower of London. Be sure to bring your own smartphone and headphones so you can listen as you explore.
Lines: This tour includes early access to the Tower of London, so you can skip the longer lines that form later in the day. You’ll still go through a quick security check before entry, which may involve a short wait.
Tickets: Your Tower of London ticket is valid all day, so you’re free to stay as long as you like after your tour has finished.
Bag Policy: For quicker entry, please leave large backpacks and wheeled bags at your accommodation as they aren’t permitted inside the Tower of London. All bags will be screened at security.
Check-in: Please arrive 15 minutes early so your group can start right on time and make the most of your visit.
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking tour leader
Early access to the Tower of London with a Yeoman Warder
Beefeater opening ceremony viewing
First access to the Crown Jewels and Jewel House
Guided walking tour of the Tower of London external grounds
All-day Tower of London entry ticket
Tower of London map and audio guide app
Self-guided exploration after the ceremony
What to bring:
Valid ID
Comfortable walking shoes
Camera
Water bottle
Smartphone and headphones (for audio guide)
Light jacket (in cooler months)
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Customer Reviews
We enjoyed our early pre-opening Tower of London tour. Our guide was great and very knowledgeable. He explained so much to us and helped us to understand the area.
Catherine provided history and insight all while getting us in the perfect spot to watch and speak with beefeaters. Early admission to Crown Jewels was a real bonus. Would advise looping around for audio headset and tour site after viewing the Crown Jewels.
Excellent tour being able to see the Tower of London up close k personal. Enjoyed learning about its history and and its progress through the centuries and different rulers. Our guide Jen was awesome, she made the tour educational and fun! Highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great overview in a nutshell with tour guide, Jen from outside of the Tower. Escorted in and entertained by a beefeater who was quick witted. Gave good overview of the tradition. Highly recommend.
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and very energetic. You could tell she loved what she did.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Does our tour leader go inside the Tower of London with us?
No. Your English-speaking tour leader guides you through the external walking portion along the River Thames and outer walls, then hands off a map and a link to our self-guided audio tour before the group goes inside. From there, a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) takes over, gives a briefing on the Tower, and leads you into the Ceremonial Opening.
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.
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this tour is a great fit for families with children. Just keep in mind that you’ll be walking on cobblestones for about an hour and attending a historic Ceremonial Opening.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
The Tower of London is a medieval fortress with cobblestone paths, uneven ground, and stairs in many of its buildings. Some areas are not wheelchair accessible. If you have any mobility concerns, please reach out before booking so we can walk through what to expect and help you decide if this tour is right for you.
What is the Ceremonial Opening?
The Ceremonial Opening is a 500-year-old ritual that unlocks the Tower of London every morning. The Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters, march through the courtyard in full uniform, salute the Chief Warder, and formally unlock the gates. The same choreography has been performed every day for over five centuries, and most visitors never see it because it happens before the Tower opens to the public.
How many other guests are there for the pre-opening?
Expect around 200 guests inside the Tower of London for the Ceremonial Opening. Your small group of up to 20 is part of a broader pre-opening audience made up of other ticketed tour groups. The Tower is a large fortress, so there's plenty of space to see the ceremony and walk to the Jewel House afterward without feeling packed in.
Why do we get first access to the Crown Jewels?
Because you're already inside the Tower of London for the Ceremonial Opening, you're steps from the Jewel House the moment it opens for the day. Most people are still queueing at the outer gates when you walk in. This is one of the biggest benefits of a pre-opening ticket: the shortest possible wait to see the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign's Sceptre, and the rest of the royal regalia.
How does the self-guided portion work?
Before your tour leader says goodbye, you'll receive a physical map of the Tower of London and a link to our self-guided audio tour. The audio walks you through the Tower's key sights, including the White Tower, Traitors' Gate, Bloody Tower, and Tower Green. You can follow it at your own pace, stop for coffee, and stay as long as you'd like on your all-day ticket.
