Early Entry Tower of London Tour with the Beefeaters
Witness a centuries-old tradition before seeing the crown jewels with fewer crowds
By the time most arrive, the Tower of London is already bustling, its secrets diluted by the crowds. This exclusive early-morning self-guided tour grants you a front-row spot as the Beefeaters unlock the gates with ceremonial flair, a sight few ever witness. Capture an intimate photo with the guards, then be among the first to marvel at the Crown Jewels before exploring the Tower of London at your own pace.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking guide
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Tower of London opening ceremony access
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Early entry to the Crown Jewels
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Tour of the Tower of London
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See Traitor's Gate, Bloody Tower, Tower Green, and more
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at the Tower of London shop
Meet your friendly tour leader in front of the Tower of London shop, directly across from the Tower of London entrance. Look for a representative holding a "The Tour Guy" sign. You'll gather with your small group of no more than 20 guests, ready to experience something few visitors ever witness. -
2
Tower of London opening ceremony
You'll witness the centuries-old tradition as the Beefeaters unlock the gates with ceremonial flair—a ritual dating back to the 15th century. Despite the military precision, expect some laughs and interaction. The Beefeaters know how to entertain as they prepare this active royal palace for the day, and you'll get a front-row view of this unique event. -
3
Early access to the Crown Jewels
With your exclusive early access, head straight to the Jewel House and skip what later becomes an hour-long queue. Marvel at 140 priceless treasures, including coronation regalia and items bedazzled with precious stones. -
4
Traitor's Gate and the Bloody Tower
Next, you'll see where prisoners were brought in from the River Thames at Traitor's Gate. Then discover the Bloody Tower, a site steeped in dark history. Your guide will share stories of intrigue and imprisonment as you explore these iconic spots at your own pace. -
5
Tower Green and the royal chapel
Walk through Tower Green, the execution site where two of Henry VIII's wives met their tragic ends. You'll also see the royal chapel, a beautiful space within this imposing fortress. -
6
The White Tower
At the center of the Tower of London grounds stands the White Tower, established by William the Conqueror as a symbol of Britain's new power. Your tour leader will share what to watch for inside this castle keep, which holds nearly 1,000 years of history within its thick stone walls. While tours aren't allowed inside, you're free to explore it on your own after the guided portion ends. -
7
Your tour finishes inside the Tower of London
After your guided experience, you're free to continue exploring the Tower of London at your own pace. With fewer crowds and insider knowledge from your tour leader, you'll have the rest of the morning to discover more of this legendary fortress.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Please Note: After the guided portion of this tour, you are free to continue exploring the Tower of London at your own pace. Guides are not allowed inside the White Tower or the Jewel House.
Accessibility: Unfortunately this tour is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven surfaces and old stone stairways.
Tour Changes: Itineraries are subject to change depending on ceremony timings or Tower of London operations.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 1.15-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Tower of London opening ceremony with the Beefeaters
Early access to the Crown Jewels
Guided tour of the Tower of London’s external grounds
Self-guided exploration of the Tower of London.
Maximum group size of 20
What to bring:
Comfortable shoes
Camera
Water bottle
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Customer Reviews
Let me first start off by stating our tour guide, Lee, was absolutely brilliant. We had a great time with him for the hour we had him, but it was only an hour. Once you get into the Tower of London, you are on your own. You either rent an audio guide or wander on your own. I mistakenly thought this tour was led by a Beefeater or Tour Guide the entire time. You certainly meet many Beefeaters inside the walls but are not your tour guide. This is worth the $ to get in early with Lee. You get to be the first in the gates, first to see the opening ceremony, and the Lee gets you in first to see the Crown Jewels. That itself was worth it as it was packed an hour later. Wish Lee was our full time tour guide as he was such a delight.
Jen was a fantastic tour guide!
Despite a rainy morning, we had a great experience at the Tower of London. Our guide was great, as were the Beefeaters. Well worth being amongst the early entrants to the Jewel House.
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 leader be with me the whole time?
The Tower of London does not allow guides to enter the Jewel House or the White Tower. Your tour leader 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.
