Tower of London Tours Reviews
What travellers said about each of these tours, in their own words. The star ratings and review counts below are each operator’s own figures, shown as they stand.
Early Access Tower of London: Crown Jewels and Beefeater Ceremony
Jo, our guide, was quick-witted and knew the place inside out. We watched the gates unlocked, walked straight to the Crown Jewels and had them almost to ourselves before the crowd arrived. That alone paid for the ticket.
Katie · Couple · August 2026
Going in before anyone else was the whole point and it delivered. Allow four hours if you actually want to see the place — the ticket lasts the day and there is far more than the Jewels.
Melody · Couple · August 2026
On a hot day, early entry meant walking in rather than queueing. By the time the lines had built up we were strolling the grounds with a coffee.
James · Friends · July 2026
Early on a weekday is the way to do it — on the Saturday we walked past, the queue went round the corner. One reservation: the guide is with you for a short stretch and leaves once the ceremony starts.
Kristy · Family · June 2026
Being first into the Jewel House was worth having. The rest of the Tower of London morning was less memorable: the ceremony is crowded enough that we could barely see it, and a Warder told us the evening lock-up is the older tradition.
Scott · Family · June 2026
Early entry to the fortress and the Crown Jewels before it filled up was worth having. The Beefeater introduction was a nice touch, and the self-guided audio package kept me going afterwards.
Hollie · Solo · July 2026
Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Day Ticket
Take the Beefeater tour — funny, full of detail and included. Walk the top of the walls if you can, and take the children into the room with the beasts.
Jodi · Couple · August 2026
We went self-guided and still stopped to listen to the Yeomen along the way. Several hours if you want to do everything, and the queues moved faster than we feared.
Katie · Family · August 2026
Pay the few extra pounds for the audio guide at the gate. There is a lot you will walk straight past otherwise. Two to five hours depending on the crowd.
Erin · Friends · August 2026
Hot and busy in the first week of August, but the lines kept moving. Watch the cobbles and the narrow spiral stairs if anyone in your party has trouble walking.
Edward · Family · August 2026
I was with my mother, who is 87. The interpretation panels are small and the crowds around them were hard to wait out. Wonderful place; bring patience for the busy rooms.
Michelle · Family · August 2026
The staff were kind and knew their subject, entry was straightforward and it was not especially crowded. Clean throughout, and easy to do on my own.
Jayde · Solo · June 2026
VIP Tower of London and Crown Jewels Tour with Private Beefeater Meet & Greet
Ben brought the Tower of London to life, and meeting Yeoman Warder Barry, forty years in service, was the high point. Our group of ten felt exactly the right size.
Jonathan · Couple · August 2026
Miranda told stories the whole way round, and the Beefeater section covered what the job actually involves with time for questions.
Rachel · Family · August 2026
Amber gave us the background then sent us off with a list of things to look for. One warning: a great many stairs, and some of them very narrow.
Belinda · Couple · August 2026
Our guide kept the gorier details away from the young girls in the group, which we appreciated. The ravens were the highlight for them.
Lyman · Couple · August 2026
The one-to-one with the Beefeater was genuinely interesting. We still waited about 45 minutes on arrival and queued for the Crown Jewels, so next time at the Tower of London I would just buy the ticket.
Kary · Family · July 2026
London in a Day: Tower of London, Westminster & River Cruise
A very long day, and not one for older travellers. We finished at 4.45pm with no time left to look around London afterwards.
Karen · Couple · August 2026
VIP Early Access: Opening Ceremony Tower of London & Bridge Entry
Warren was easy to talk to and the headsets made a real difference in the open. The history speaks for itself; having someone translate it was the bonus.
Terri · Friends · August 2026
Informative, and Don had good stories about the famous prisoners. It is expensive for what it is, the meeting point is a walk from the gate, and you would meet a Beefeater inside anyway.
Elizabeth · Solo · August 2026
The Tower of London - Small Group Tour with a Local Expert
James knows everyone inside the walls. Walking round with him was like being shown the place by a local celebrity, and he clearly loves telling it.
Stacie · Family · August 2026
He answered every question and the small group made that possible. Three hours at the Tower of London went very quickly.
Claire · Friends · August 2026
Tower of London Guided Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise
Worth it for the detail, and the river ticket you can use later was a bonus. Ask which option you have booked before the day.
Jordana · Family · June 2026
VIP Beefeaters Meet & Greet with Tower of London Guided Tour
The guide was friendly and thorough, and meeting the Beefeater was the part we remembered afterwards. Great photographs, too.
Mike · Couple · August 2026
The listening devices were useful, but the only building we went inside was the Jewel House, for fifteen minutes. I am not sure the tour added a great deal over the ticket.
Paige · Family · July 2026
VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise
Oliver made sure our group was first in line and got us a clear view of the ceremony. We went to the Crown Jewels straight afterwards.
Danielle · Couple · July 2026
Full Day London Tour: Tower of London & Westminster Abbey
Andrew was outstanding and the day covered more than I expected. A lot of walking, so wear the right shoes.
Andrea · Friends · August 2026
Tower of London: Opening Ceremony & Early Crown Jewels Access
Early entry is a great way in before the crowds. Lee was personable and made the hour fun rather than a lecture.
Missy · Couple · August 2026
Tower of London After Hours Tour with Beefeater & Keys Ceremony
The best thing we did in London. Our Yeoman Warder, Barry, clearly loves the job, and the Tower of London after dark felt like a film set.
Andy · Family · August 2026
Very few people, the grounds in the dark, and the key ceremony itself like stepping back several centuries.
Jennifer · Couple · August 2026
Five stars for the tour itself. One for the booking page, which did not make clear that the Crown Jewels are not part of the evening — we only found that in the details sent after paying.
Kim · Family · March 2026
We stood outside the gate for over twenty minutes on top of the fifteen we were asked to arrive early, and the first part felt rushed as a result. The ceremony itself was worth being there for.
Elizabeth · Solo · August 2025
Tower of London Private Tour for Families and Friends
Eight of us across two families, and having our own guide kept everyone moving. Marina handled the range of ages well.
Matt · Family · May 2026
Being our own group meant no waiting and no wasted time. Good use of three hours.
Susan · Family · July 2025
Galina was friendly, funny and very well informed. The whole family enjoyed her Tower of London tour, and having our own guide made the three hours work for all of us.
Michael · Family · June 2025
Private Tour: The Iconic Tower of London
Our grandson, who is fourteen, chose this one. Steph was extremely knowledgeable and made a point of including him throughout.
Darlene · Family · April 2026
Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower of London
A well-told walk through medieval London from the fortress to St Paul’s, focused on places and events rather than on how people lived. Two hours, and good shoes help.
Peter · Family · July 2026
Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise
A relaxed start to the weekend, seeing the landmarks from the water with a live guide rather than a recording.
Caroline · Couple · August 2026
A very nice boat, comfortable seats and a proper guide on board. The fare is the only thing I would argue with.
Robert · Family · May 2026
Ed was great and the boat was spotless. A good option if you are short of time but want the Tower of London and the major sights without walking or working out the tube.
Sarah · Solo · May 2026
Every tour’s rating, as the operator publishes it
These are the figures shown on each tour’s own booking listing on 26 August 2026, not ratings collected by this site. Each one is the on-page total, which is the number a person sees at the moment they book.
| Tour | Rating | Reviews | Length | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Access Tower of London: Crown Jewels and Beefeater Ceremony | 4.6 | 1,014 | 1 hour | $87 |
| Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Day Ticket | 4.4 | 7,421 | 1 day | $51 |
| VIP Tower of London and Crown Jewels Tour with Private Beefeater Meet & Greet | 4.6 | 938 | 3 hours | $137 |
| London in a Day: Tower of London, Westminster & River Cruise | 4.8 | 990 | 6 to 8 hours | $131 |
| VIP Early Access: Opening Ceremony Tower of London & Bridge Entry | 4.8 | 756 | 3 hours 30 minutes | $206 |
| The Tower of London - Small Group Tour with a Local Expert | 4.9 | 446 | 2 to 3 hours | $212 |
| Tower of London Guided Tour with Optional Thames River Cruise | 4.5 | 481 | 1 hour 30 minutes | $100 |
| VIP Beefeaters Meet & Greet with Tower of London Guided Tour | 4.8 | 413 | 2 hours | $89 |
| VIP Early Access Opening Ceremony Tower of London & River Cruise | 4.7 | 396 | 3 hours | $148 |
| Full Day London Tour: Tower of London & Westminster Abbey | 4.9 | 304 | 7 hours | $124 |
| Tower of London: Opening Ceremony & Early Crown Jewels Access | 4.6 | 133 | 1 hour | $104 |
| Tower of London After Hours Tour with Beefeater & Keys Ceremony | 4.6 | 98 | 1 hour 30 minutes | $220 |
| Tower of London Private Tour for Families and Friends | 5.0 | 53 | 3 hours | $353 |
| Private Tour: The Iconic Tower of London | 5.0 | 32 | 2 hours 30 minutes | $360 |
| Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower of London | 5.0 | 302 | 2 hours | $24 |
| Official Tower of London River Tour Sightseeing River Cruise | 4.8 | 192 | 40 minutes | $25 |
Operator figures, captured 26 August 2026. Ratings move; the listing is always the current one.
Reading the mixed ones is worth the time: they are where the difference between a ticket and a guided departure actually shows. What each option includes is set out in full on Tower of London Tours.