Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 235 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise worth booking?
Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise is a 4.8-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $71 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 235 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (235)
- Duration
- 4.8 hours
- From
- $71 per person
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 pac
What you get
- 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
About this experience
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.
What's included
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
Not included
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
- Gratuities
- Entrance to other monuments
- Guided tour of Tower of London
What you'll see and do
Jewel House
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 minutes here · Admission included
Tower of London
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.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Bloody Tower
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 without stopping
White Tower
White Tower 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 without stopping
Thames River
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.
65 minutes here · Admission included
London Eye
An observation wheel and fixture on the London skyline popularized in movies and TV shows.
Pass by without stopping
Tower Bridge
A 19th century drawbridge still in use today and one of London's most recognizable landmarks.
Pass by without stopping
St. Paul's Cathedral
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 without stopping
Westminster Abbey
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 minutes here · Admission not included
Big Ben
Gaze up at the clock tower standing next to the Houses of Parliament and an iconic symbol of the capital city.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Houses of Parliament
The center of political life in the UK for centuries, with the current building dating back to the 1860s and 1870s.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Buckingham Palace
Continue past Buckingham Palace to see the official residence of King Charles III and many other British monarchs before him.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
St. James's Park
Finally, finish with a peaceful stroll through St. James' Park, the oldest Royal Park in London.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour. This tour meets at 5BT, Tower Place West, 50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6DT, UK. Meet your coordinator at the West Gate entrance, opposite the Starbucks and in front of the Tower of London giftshop.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Best of London Tour Option
Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes 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
Duration: 3 hours 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
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Walks - UK
Know before you go
- 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.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 247 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
247 verified traveler reviews for Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tour with Sue
Sue gave a beautiful tour, would definitely recommend to future travels!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour with an Amazing Guide
Sue was amazing! Very knowledgeable and humorous. Would recommend every time!
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour with fun facts
Sue is a really smart tour guide with a good Knowledge and knows funny stories
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour
Very knowledgeable tour guide. Excellent tour.
via Tripadvisor
Great value for the experience
This tour was a great value. We got to see so many sights.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $71 to $161
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 82
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $71 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise take?
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Plan for about 4.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 235 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise?
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Around 82 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 4.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Early Access Tower of London, Crown Jewels & Thames River Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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