London: Tower of London Private Tour & Crown Jewels Access

Summary

Walk through centuries at the Tower of London with stories, ravens and royal treasures

You’ll walk ancient corridors with a private guide who knows every story, meet legendary ravens roaming near your feet, stand before the Crown Jewels in silent awe, and catch glimpses of Tower Bridge as you leave. This tour lets you feel London’s history under your skin — not just see it.

What’s the experience like?

You step under those old stone arches and it’s like London’s noise gets swallowed up for a second. Our guide — Sarah, I think her name was — waved us over by the Welcome Centre. She had this way of making the place feel less like a museum and more like someone’s weirdly dramatic family home. The air smelled damp, almost metallic, but not in a bad way. We shuffled through gates with murder holes overhead (never thought I’d say that) and I caught myself glancing up, just in case.

The ravens were out — Merlina strutted past us like she owned the place. Sarah told us if they ever leave, the kingdom falls. Not sure if that’s true or just good storytelling, but it stuck with me. My nephew tried to get close for a photo; one of the birds gave him this look, like “don’t even think about it.” We laughed harder than we should’ve. Then there was that moment in the Bloody Tower when Sarah whispered about prisoners scratching messages into the walls. You could almost feel how heavy it must’ve been here at night.

I didn’t expect to care much about jewels, honestly, but seeing the Crown Jewels behind those thick doors was something else. The light bounced off them in a way that made everyone go quiet for a second — except for one little kid who whispered “wow” so softly you barely heard it. Afterward we wandered through armor displays in the White Tower; Henry VIII’s suit is massive (he really wasn’t kidding about his appetite). There were hands-on things upstairs for kids and grownups both — my sister tried on a helmet and looked ridiculous.

When we finally stepped outside again, Tower Bridge was right there across the water. Blue sky breaking through clouds for once — classic London luck. We waited to see if it would open (it didn’t), but honestly just sitting there for a minute felt right after all that history packed into three hours. Still thinking about those ravens though.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Tower of London and surroundings

• Meet guide at Tower Welcome Centre
• Enter through gates with murder holes
• See ravens Merlina, Jubilee, and Grip
• Visit Bloody Tower and torture chamber
• View crown jewels and gemstone display
• Explore White Tower and armour exhibition
• Enjoy interactive exhibition for all ages
• See view of Tower Bridge outside fortress
• Watch Tower Bridge possibly open

Top questions

How long does the private Tower of London tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours from start to finish.

Are children welcome on this Tower of London tour?

Yes, children are welcome and there is even a fun quiz with a prize at the end.

Is admission to the Tower of London included?

Yes, your entry ticket to the Tower of London is included in the tour price.

Will we see the Crown Jewels on this tour?

Yes, visiting the Jewel House to see the Crown Jewels is part of this private tour.

Where does the tour start?

Your guide will meet you at the Tower Welcome Centre just outside the main entrance.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, this private tour is wheelchair accessible throughout.

Can infants or small children join in strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers during the tour.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Service animals are permitted on this private Tower of London tour.

What’s included

Your day includes entry tickets to the Tower of London itself (no extra lines), guidance from an expert Blue Badge guide who keeps things lively for adults and kids alike (with quizzes and stories), plus an optional upgrade for afternoon tea if you want to linger longer after seeing those famous ravens and jewels up close.