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Tower of London's walls
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Guided tour of the Tower of London
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VIP Early Access

Best of Royal London - including Tower of London and Changing of the Guard

4.91
(230 Reviews)
4 h.
English
25
Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat
08:15

  • From the macabre to the magnificent, begin your tour at the infamous Tower of London – former fortress, prison and execution site. This expertly curated early-morning visit to one of London’s most iconic landmarks avoids long lines and large crowds so you can experience its opening ceremony and be among the first to view the priceless Crown Jewels.
  • You’ll next step aboard a relaxing river cruise up the Thames as your expert, English-speaking guide points out major landmarks along its banks. Disembark this superior shuttle for a fully-guided walking tour through the Horse Guards to St. James and enjoy watching the Changing of the Guard. Your guide will make sure you are in the best spot for taking photos as they herald you with the history behind the pomp and pageantry.
  • Your tour ends at beautiful Buckingham Palace, royal residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. View the balcony from which royal decrees have been issued to the adoring public for generations. Your tour group of 25 people or fewer makes it easy to maneuver through these popular landmarks and destinations. Headsets are provided, when needed, so you can always hear your guide.

Your Unique London Tour Experience

What's Included

  • VIP early-access tickets to Tower of London
  • River Thames boat cruise
  • Guided walking tour to Buckingham Palace
  • Changing of the Guard (weather permitting)
  • Expert, English-speaking tour guide
  • Small groups of 25 people or fewer
  • Headsets when appropriate, so you always hear your guide
  • Gratuities

Sites Visited

  • Tower of London (inside)
  • Thames River cruise
  • Horse Guards Parade
  • St James's Park
  • Buckingham Palace (outside)

Famous and somewhat infamous, we start this early morning relaxing, strolling tour at one of the United Kingdom’s most recognizable landmarks – the Tower of London. Formerly a fortress, a prison, and the macabre execution site of three Queens of England, you will have privileged early access to the Tower before it opens to the public, and will witness the Opening Ceremony performed by the Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters as they are better known.

Our early morning tour also avoids the crowds that form later in the day and allows you to be among the first to see the Crown Jewels. These official regalia and vestments used by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom have been held in this Jewel House for the last 600 years and include swords, crowns, scepters, orbs, rings and more.

Changing of the Guard

From here we escort you on board a relaxing river shuttle up the Thames to enjoy the beautiful sites as your expert local guide points out notable landmarks. Once we arrive at the Embankment, we will take a short leisurely walk to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or the Horse Guards Parade, depending on the day.

You’ll be brought to a prime viewpoint for the best photo ops of this very popular and crowded event, your guide enlivening your experience even further with vibrant and entertaining stories about the history and pageantry behind this traditional ceremony. (Please note that this experience is subject to weather conditions.)

Grand Finale at Buckingham Palace

Your morning ends at Buckingham Palace - it looks like a grand bastion to the rest of us, but to Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, it is home sweet home. Here you’ll enjoy plenty of time to take photographs to last a lifetime, particularly of the iconic balcony where the royal family perform their well-practiced slow hand wave during major events. It is a wonderful way to end a perfect London morning with your expert local City Wonders guide.

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4.91
230 Reviews
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  • Know Before You Go

    Meeting Point

    Ticket Office at Tower of London - Open in Google Maps

    Important Notes

    Depending on the day you will see either the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade. The Changing of the Guard is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. When this occurs, customers will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music or parade. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' access.

    FAQs

    • When can I cancel a booking?

      On tours canceled more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, we are happy to offer our customers a credit voucher for the full value of the tour. Tours cannot be canceled with less than 24 hours notice. We are unable to provide compensation for cancelations with the 24 hour window prior to your tour departure, nor can tour dates or times be amended. Bookings made with the 24 hour window are final. Please note that this cancelation policy does not apply to the Colosseum Underground Tour. In this case, 50% of the value of the tour will be credited if canceled at least 7 days before the tour departure date. If tour is canceled within 7 days of the tour departure date no credit voucher will be given.

    • When can I amend my booking?

      A booking cannot be amend with less than 24 hours notice. Amendments made before this window are possible, but may incur a charge. Any bookings made within the 24 hour window are final and cannot be amended or subject to compensation. Please note that amendments made to the Colosseum Underground Tour will incur a charge of 50% of the cost of the tour if amended at least 7 days before the tour departure date. If tour is amended within 7 days of tour departure date the full price of the tour will be charged. 

    • Is an advanced booking necessary or can I just show up at the meeting point?

      We strongly advise against arriving at the meeting point without a booking as we cannot guarantee that there will be space left on the tour. Our guides are unable to accept payment for tours so any bookings made on the spot will still need to be processed over the phone with payment by credit card.

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From
US$107.87
per adult
Available in 2021
  • Instant Confirmation
  • Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • 24 Hour Cancellation Policy

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A City Wonders tour is the product of meticulous research, detailed planning, and a passion for providing customers with travel experiences they will cherish forever.

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