Tower of London & Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise Tour｜United Kingdom

Your tour begins outside the Tower, where your local tour leader will give you the context needed to understand the site's significance—not only in history, but also today. Once the doors open for the day, you'll step inside this historic building and go directly to the Jewel House to feast your eyes on the 23,000 gemstones contained within the Crown Jewels. For a behind-the-scenes look at day-to-day life at the Tower of London, select the Opening Ceremony option when booking. The Opening Ceremony is a notable military ritual that officially opens the famous historical edifice. Please note: the Opening Ceremony option does not include a royal history walking tour of Westminster.

Afterwards, you'll have free time to explore the entire complex at your own pace. Your tour leader will share suggestions based on your interests, including the castle ramparts, the personal chambers of past kings, Traitor's Gate, Bloody Tower, Torture Tower, or the armor collection in White Tower. 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.

At the end of free time, you'll reunite with your tour leader and board a sightseeing river cruise to enjoy views of London's famous landmarks from this unique vantage point. As you cruise down the River Thames, you'll see Tower Bridge, the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Shard—the tallest building in the UK—Shakespeare's Globe Theater and more.

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. Continue past Buckingham Palace to see the official residence of King Charles III and many other British monarchs before him. And finally, finish with a peaceful stroll through St. James' Park, the oldest Royal Park in London. Other highlights of your royal walking tour include Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

By the end of the tour, you'll have seen London's highlights on this comprehensive sightseeing experience combining skip-the-line entry to the Tower of London, Thames river cruise, and a royal history walk. A local tour leader takes care of all the logistics and helps you navigate the city, allowing you to maximize your time in London and cover more ground in a single morning than you'd be able to do on your own—perfect for travelers short on time or seeking an introduction to London.