Water activity

Best of Royal London with Tower of London Opening

4.7 / 5

41 reviews

Activity provider: City Wonders Ltd. UK
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    Water activity

    Best of Royal London with Tower of London Opening

    Activity provider: City Wonders Ltd. UK
    Likely to sell out
    Likely to sell out

    From US$ 84.63 per person

    See the royal landmarks of London on a 4-hour walking tour, and discover hidden sites known only to locals. Visit the medieval Tower of London to see the famous “Beefeaters.” Then, cruise down the River Thames towards Buckingham Palace.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
    Reserve now & pay later
    Keep your travel plans flexible—book your spot and pay nothing today. Learn more
    Duration 3.5 - 4 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Skip the ticket line
    Live tour guide
    English

    Experience

    Highlights
    • See the famous "Beefeaters" of the Tower of London
    • Shuttle down the River Thames on a panoramic river boat
    • Watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony from a prime position
    • Learn the history of English kings and queens
    • Be among the first to see the Crown Jewels with early access and skip-the-line
    Full description
    Experience the best of royal London on a half-day sightseeing tour, exploring the historic landmarks of the city center, and cruising down the River Thames. Meet at the Tower of London, home to the famous Yeoman Warders (“Beefeaters”), and a former prison that witnessed the execution of 3 English queens! Marvel at the Crown Jewels of the English monarchy, and see official regalia worn by HM the Queen, including orbs, swords, crowns and sceptres. Go to the White Tower where the “Princes in the Tower” were held before being murdered, allegedly by Richard III. With early entrance to the Tower you will be among the first to see the ceremonial opening by the Yeomen Warders. Depart the Tower and cruise down the River Thames on board a shuttle boat. Admire the sights en route, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Shakespeare’s Globe. Upon arrival at the Embankment, and depending on time, stroll over to watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony, either at Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade. Your guide will put you in prime position for the best views of the crowded event, and provide a colorful commentary as the pageant unfolds. End your morning tour at Buckingham Palace, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II.
    Includes
    • VIP early-access ticket to the Tower of London including Opening Ceremony
    • Boat cruise on the River Thames
    • Guided walking tour from Embankment to Buckingham Palace
    • Changing of the Guard ceremony (weather permitting)
    • English-speaking guide
    • Headsets when appropriate to hear your guide
    • Gratuities
    • Hotel pick-up and drop off
    • Food and drinks
    Not suitable for
    • People with mobility impairments
    • Wheelchair users
    Covid-19 precautions
    Safety measures in place
    • The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
    Traveler requirements
    • You are required to bring and wear a mask

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

    Important information

    What to bring

    • Comfortable shoes

    Not allowed

    • Baby strollers
    • Flash photography

    Know before you go

    • Currently, the Tower of London will open 1-hour later, therefore departure time will be postponed by 1-hour. This means that if the Changing of the Guards Ceremony cannot be included in the itinerary, will be replaced with an extended walking tour
    • The Changing of the Guard ceremony will not operate in the event of rain. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be replaced with an extended walking tour.
    • Government-imposed COVID restrictions for entering countries and venues may change at short notice. It is the responsibility of all visitors to ensure they check the official travel advice on the government websites and comply with local requirements. The activity provider will not be held responsible for refused access to museums and tourist attractions and no refund will be due.
    • The changing of the guard schedule may change and on different dates, you'll see either footguards or horse guards (on Tuesday & Thursday, you’ll experience the change of the Household Cavalry)
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.7 /5

    based on 41 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.3/5
    • Transportation
      3.6/5
    • Value for money
      4.5/5
    • Safety
      4.8/5

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    This tour was a highlight of our 2 week trip from Barcelona to London! Our guide Jo was not only incredibly knowledgeable about- Everything!, but she always put us in exactly the right spot at the right time for fantastic access! Did I mention her sense of humor? She had us laughing constantly; her historical remarks were highlighted with humorous anecdotes with perfect timing! The Crown Jewels and armor exhibit at the Tower rival any traditional museum visit, and we saw the Horse Guard change at the palace after a very pleasant river excursion on the Thames. Great Tour!

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    January 18, 2020

    T
    Tracy – United States Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Excellent guide, + tower opening -too little time at site; - "cruise"

    I loved our guide, and seeing the tower early in the morning before the crowd enter was fantastic, especially watching the ceremony of opening of the tower. The tour is way too short--indeed I think I was the only one in my group that got to see the Blood Tower because there was only one hour or a bit less to see everything. More time needs to be allotted to each activity. The tour talks about a cruise of the Thames, when in reality is just a couple of stops in the water public transport, which was not as described in the brochure. Walk through St. James brilliant, great change of guard at W (not the palace), but it was great to arrive at the palace at the end.

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    August 25, 2019

    M
    Maria – United States Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Tour was awesome and a great way to beat the crowds at London Tower

    We really enjoyed this tour. Nathan was one of the best guides we've had on our four week vacation. He was witty, informative, personable, and patient with all the questions people asked. He kept the tour moving, but gave plenty of time for us to look around and/or take pictures. It was great to be able to get into the Tower early and see the Beefeaters opening it up for the day. This also gave us the opportunity to get to see the crown jewels before everyone else got in.

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    July 12, 2019

    J
    Julie – United States Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 49905