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
Meeting point
Start Location
Tower of London Shop, Lower Thames Street, London, UK
3 Great Tower St, City of London, London EC3R 5BT, UK
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your coordinator will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at Tower Place West, 50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6DT, UK. Meet your coordinator at the West Gate entrance, opposite the Starbucks and in front of the Tower of London giftshop. There is a large tree with benches next to where the coordinator will be waiting.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Know before you go
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- All guests must pass through security.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations received greater than 7 days prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 7 days of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.
Reviews
Chutes mythiques et impressionnantes mais les explications de la visite sont parfois inutiles et servent à combler le temps.
Activité tout compris avec bateau et vue des chutes des tunnels, la guide était très sympathique et apporte des anecdotes à la visite , merci 🙏🏻
If you’re gonna see Niagara Falls, this is the tour to do it on!
Additional information
Ticket Age Range
Adult (15+)
Child (2-14)
Infant (0-1)