Washington DC Sightseeing Coach Tour with River Cruise
About this activity
Highlights
- Visit the Lincoln Memorial
- Explore the National World War II Memorial
- See the Washington Monument
- Tour the U.S. Capitol Building
- Enjoy a Potomac River cruise
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guided coach tour of Washington DC
- Potomac River cruise
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Discover the secrets of the Tower of London on a fascinating private tour led by an expert, Blue Badge guide. The Tower of London is one of the British Capital's most iconic monuments, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. It stands proudly on the banks of the River Thames, and, dating back to the 11th century, was originally built as a royal palace and residence by William the Conqueror following the Norman conquest of England. The Tower became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its historical, cultural and architectural importance, and it is one of London's oldest buildings. Your Blue Badge Guide will meet you next to the entrance to the Tower of London, and then you will begin your discovery of this 900-year-old fortress. The complex is the only castle in the city of London, and is famous for holding the crown jewels as well as housing many celebrated and notorious prisoners. You will be enthralled by the myths and legends surrounding the place, all ably recounted by your top-rated guide. Your guide will show you all the highlights of the tower, including the White Tower, which was the castle's strongest point from a military perspective but which also provided accommodation for the king and his representatives; the Medieval Tower, which was once the residential area of the castle, the Royal Mint; Tower Green and the Royal Menagerie, where sculptures and installations of wild and exotic animals commemorate the former inhabitants of the Tower. The Crown Jewels constitute one of the highlights of the tour, featuring the finest treasures of the British Monarchy, including an 800-year-old Coronation Spoon, St Edward's Crown and the Imperial State Crown. Thanks to your expert guide, you will learn all about the deep religious and cultural importance of the items in this awe-inspiring collection. You will also have the opportunity to meet the Yeomen Warders, the guardians of the Tower and better known as “Beefeaters”. Formally, they are responsible for looking after any prisoners at the Tower as well as safeguarding the British crown jewels, though their role is primarily ceremonial these days.
Meeting point
Start Location
Tower of London Welcome Centre, Great Tower Street, London, UK
Important information
Know before you book
- Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; please confirm your pickup location and time.
- The tour operates rain or shine; cancellations due to weather are rare.
- Gratuities for the guide and driver are not included and are appreciated.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
- Bring a valid ID for security checks at certain sites.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- The Tower of London features difficult stairs, a number of low doorways, and passageways where wheelchair access is restricted.
- In the winter can get very cold, please wear warm clothing
- We suggest wearing comfortable shoes
- Parts of the Tower are not pushchair friendly due to the cobbled ground. Buggy parks are located in few areas.
- Please be aware that the queue for the Crown Jewels can be long in the high season
- You will skip the tickets line but security checks are Inevitable
- You will see the Crown Jewels but guiding in the jewel house is not allowed
Traveler reviews
Private Tower of London
Very informative and customized to what we wanted to hear. It incorporated lineages historical critical factors and fun interesting facts along with some things that are pure conjecture.
Janine was incredible. So knowledgeable and so energetic. Great with kids. She was aaaWe had an amazing time at the towe
Janine was incredible. So knowledgeable and so energetic. Great with kids. She was able to show us everything and was so efficient with our time. We had an amazing time at the towe
One of the best tours ever
The tour was amazing! Timothy our guide was so knowledgable, and children and I have learned so much. The amount of information he shared was incredible. But what he also managed to do, was to engage two children, 8yo, 13 yo and a teenager and keep them engaged for three hours and that in my opinion was a success in itself! Thank you so much Timothy.
Great private tour.
Our guide was amazing and tailored the tour to our tastes. The history and knowledge of our guide was impressive. Definitely worth it.
Lovely guide, but not worth the high cost
I don't usually do touristy things while traveling; however, I decided to splurge on this Tower of London tour. Given the high price point, I expected a very high-touch, exclusive, or VIP-level tour (like the one I did at Versaille). While our tour guide was lovely, at over $800, this tour was really nothing more than an audio tour with someone walking with us. I wouldn't recommend paying the extra cost for this tour.