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Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise

4.8 Excellent 293 reviews
|
4h 45m
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
293 reviews
5
266
4
11
3
6
2
3
1
7
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 95% of travellers: 277 four- and five-star reviews

Overview

Guidekin summary

The main option pairs early Crown Jewels access with a Thames cruise and a guided Westminster walk. Tower admission is included, but its interior is self-guided; the Opening Ceremony option ends at the Tower and omits the Westminster walk. 4.8 from 293 reviews at €94 per person for 4h 45m.

From the guide

Skip the line and start your morning inside the Tower of London, a former royal residence, and experience history brought to life. You’ll admire the precious Crown Jewels and then enjoy an hour to explore at your own pace. Next, soak in views of Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, The Shard, and more on a relaxing river cruise down the River Thames. You'll disembark in Westminster, where you'll set off on a walking tour. Learn why each stop earned its spot in England's royal and political history as you pass Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and end with a peaceful stroll through St. James' Park. This walking tour covers London's main sites in under 5 hours.

Unlock even more Tower of London secrets and watch the storied Opening Ceremony by selecting the Opening Ceremony option when booking. After the Opening Ceremony, you'll enjoy a complete tour of the Tower of London with a certified Blue Badge Guide and finish with a relaxing river cruise down the River Thames.

Tour options

The operator sells this tour in 2 versions. Prices are the operator's current list for two travellers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date and party.

Best of London Tour Option

from €94 / person
Guide: English

Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes

What this option includes

Tower of London & River Cruise: Early entry to Crown Jewels, History walk, Tower of London & River Cruise. DOES NOT include Opening Ceremony

VIP Opening Ceremony Option

from €113 / person
Guide: English

Duration: 3 hours

What this option includes

VIP Access Upgrade & Cruise: See the opening ceremony and Crown Jewels before the crowds. Full tour of the Tower with & river cruise. NO history walk

Schedule & Availability

Runs daily
Departures: 08:15, 09:00, 09:15
Scheduled through September 2027

This tour runs daily, departing at 08:15, 09:00, 09:15. Scheduled through September 2027. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked October 1, 2026.

What's Included

Guided walk past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben & Westminster Abbey
Cruise on the River Thames with views of Tower Bridge, St Pauls Catherdral & Shakespeare's Globe
Entrance to Tower of London with first access to Crown Jewels
Explore the Tower viewing Blood Gates, the legendary ravens & the castle walls Ca

What's Not Included

Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Gratuities
Entrance to other monuments
Guided tour of Tower of London

Itinerary

Jewel House Stop 1
Meet your local tour leader and head into the tower. You'll head straight to the Jewel House, which means you’ll be able to grab a prime spot to view the Crown Jewels. If you want to start your Tower of London tour with a behind-the-scenes look of day-to-day life at the Tower, select the Opening Ceremony option when booking. The Opening Ceremony is a notable military ritual that officially opens the famous historical edifice. After the Opening Ceremony, your tour will continue to the Jewel House.
45 min
Admission included
Tower of London Stop 2
You'll have free time to explore the entire complex at your own pace. Your tour leader will share suggestions based on your interests. By the end of your visit, you'll be equipped with the complete story of the Tower and its importance as a symbol of royal, state and historic power.
1h
Admission included
Bloody Tower Stop 3
See the sites where famous prisoners were executed, and choose to venture into the Bloody Tower to hear the story of the two princes, which has become a legend in its own right. Various sources say their ghosts are among the specters that have been sighted at the Tower at night. From there, step into the Torture Tower and learn about this horrid practice in British history. Though it has never been officially been permitted in English law, torture was used to extract confessions from prisoners brought to the Tower of London.
Pass by
White Tower Stop 4
is the heart of the Tower of London, and you’ll have the chance to explore the armory. See armor used by Henry VIII, Charles I, and James II on display.
Pass by
Thames River Stop 5
Reunite with your tour leader and board a sightseeing cruise down the River Thames, you'll see Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Shard—the tallest building in the UK—Shakespeare's Globe Theater and more.
1h 5m
Admission included
London Eye Stop 6
An observation wheel and fixture on the London skyline popularized in movies and TV shows.
Pass by
Tower Bridge Stop 7
A 19th century drawbridge still in use today and one of London's most recognizable landmarks.
Pass by
St. Paul's Cathedral Stop 8
A symbol of resilience, having been rebuilt after the Great Fire and survived WWII bombings. The cathedral also hosted the state funeral for Sir Winston Churchill.
Pass by
Westminster Abbey Stop 9
The river cruise ends in Westminster, where your tour leader will take you on a walking tour of England's royal history. Pause outside Westminster Abbey, where Coronations and royal weddings have been held for centuries.
20 min
Big Ben Stop 10
Gaze up at the clock tower standing next to the Houses of Parliament and an iconic symbol of the capital city.
10 min
Houses of Parliament Stop 11
The center of political life in the UK for centuries, with the current building dating back to the 1860s and 1870s.
20 min
Buckingham Palace Stop 12
Continue past Buckingham Palace to see the official residence of King Charles III and many other British monarchs before him.
20 min
St. James's Park Stop 13
Finally, finish with a peaceful stroll through St. James' Park, the oldest Royal Park in London.
20 min

Departure & Return

Start point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at 5BT, Tower Place West, 50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6DT, UK. Meet at the West Gate entrance, opposite the Starbucks and in front of the Tower of London giftshop.

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Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.
  • Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests. Depending on the option you select, your itinerary may vary slightly.
  • Note: the Opening Ceremony option does not include a royal history walking tour of Westminster.
  • Note: If the Opening Ceremony option is selected the tour will end at the Tower of London.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ daysFull refund
0-1 daysNo refund

Compared with other Thames River Cruises

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #12 of 25€944h 45m4.8 (293)shared
High-Speed Thames River Speedboat in London€8350 min4.96 (4332)shared
Thames Rockets Sunset London Speedboat Experience€7750 min4.99 (259)shared
Thames High-Speed Zone Speedboat in London€7745 min4.93 (602)shared

Ranked #12 of 25 in Thames River Cruises by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €12 to €113, median €69; typical length 1h 30m. 0 of 25 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 25 Thames River Cruises

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