Private Tower of London Tour: Early Crown Jewels Access
About this activity
Skip the general queue at the Tower of London and step inside the Crown Jewels exhibit first, with a private Blue Badge guide for two and a half hours.
Highlights
- Skip the line into the Crown Jewels exhibit first
- See centuries-old royal jewels up close
- Hear the story of two princes who vanished
- View a king's armor fitted to a horse
- Private guide, just your group, for 2.5 hours
Full description
The queue for the Crown Jewels can eat an hour of your morning before you've seen a single gem. This private tour skips it: through the gates first, into the jewel exhibit before the general crowds arrive, then a full walk through the Tower of London's medieval fortifications and royal armouries with a Blue Badge guide entirely your own. See centuries of royal history, from execution sites to suits of armor, at your own pace.
Head straight to the jewel exhibit the moment the Tower's gates open, ahead of the general queue still forming outside. Your guide points out some of the most famous pieces in the collection, with room to actually look instead of being swept past by the crowd. By half past nine, most other visitors are still waiting to get in.
Next, visit the old execution site on the Tower's green and a tower once used to hold prisoners, where your guide tells the story of two young princes who disappeared inside its walls centuries ago and were never seen again. You'll get a few minutes of free time here to take in the story on your own.
Continue along the Tower's medieval walls, past royal living quarters, ravens kept on the grounds for centuries, and battlements once defended with iron weaponry, with your guide pointing out inscriptions left by prisoners held here long ago.
The visit finishes inside the Tower's oldest building, home to a working armoury. Look closely at a suit of armor built for a king, still fitted to a horse in the same room where it's stood for generations, before you're free to explore the upper floors on your own.
Included / Excluded
- Local English-speaking Blue Badge guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- First entrance ticket for Tower of London
- First entrance for Jewel House
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Gratuities
Cancellation policy
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Reviews
If you’re reading this, book it now! You’ll be one of the first on the boat and get the best spot before anyone else. Daniela (aka “Daniel”) treated us exceptionally well from start to finish. Her knowledge of the falls and the stories behind them was the perfect balance of informative and entertaining. She keeps you laughing throughout the tour and enjoys the experience right alongside you as if it were her first time seeing it. 10/10 — I would recommend this tour to anyone. As an added bonus, our group had only four people, which made the experience absolutely incredible and much more personal. Thanks again, Daniel! 😉
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent