
Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access worth booking?
Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from £69 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (9)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- £69 per person
Be among the very first visitors inside the Tower of London and witness one of London’s most iconic traditions — the Beefeater Opening Ceremony — before the general public arrives. Start your experience with a short introduction from an expert local guide, who will explain the Tower’s history, layout, and significance, helping you get oriented before entry. You’ll then enter early to attend the official opening ceremony led by the Yeoman Warders, a moment most visitors never see. After the ceremony and early entry, you’ll be free to explore the Tower of London independently at your own pace. Visit the Crown Jewels, towers, and exhibitions in the order that suits you, without rushing or navigating heavy crowds. This express experience is perfect for travellers who want the privilege of early access and the opening ceremony, combined with the flexibility to explore the Tower on their own.
What you get
About this experience
Be among the very first visitors inside the Tower of London and witness one of London’s most iconic traditions — the Beefeater Opening Ceremony — before the general public arrives. Start your experience with a short introduction from an expert local guide, who will explain the Tower’s history, layout, and significance, helping you get oriented before entry. You’ll then enter early to attend the official opening ceremony led by the Yeoman Warders, a moment most visitors never see. After the ceremony and early entry, you’ll be free to explore the Tower of London independently at your own pace. Visit the Crown Jewels, towers, and exhibitions in the order that suits you, without rushing or navigating heavy crowds. This express experience is perfect for travellers who want the privilege of early access and the opening ceremony, combined with the flexibility to explore the Tower on their own.
What's included
Included
- Expert introduction and orientation by a local expert guide
- Beefeater Opening Ceremony
- Entrance tickets to The Tower of London and Opening Ceremony
- Early access entry to the Tower of London
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off
What you'll see and do
Tower of London
Welcome to your tour and one of the most iconic buildings in London. Discover the iconic sites on the outer walls such as Traitor’s Gate and Tower Hill with your guide before entering the complex to explore one of Britain’s most historic buildings at your own pace. You will see Britain’s most treasured royal artefacts, walk in the footsteps of Anne Boleyn, see the armour of Henry VIII, visit William the Conqueror’s White Tower and meet the ravens at your own pace.
45 minutes here · Admission included
The Crown Jewels
You’re invited to the opening ceremony at the Tower of London, to be first in to explore the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels collection showcases some of the most famous ceremonial objects in the world, including crowns, sceptres, and orbs still used in royal ceremonies today.
30 minutes here · Admission included
White Tower
The White Tower is the oldest and most significant building within the Tower of London, constructed in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. Designed as both a fortress and royal residence, it symbolised Norman power and control over the city.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Traitors' Gate
Traitors’ Gate The Traitors’ Gate is the historic riverside entrance to the Tower of London, famously associated with prisoners who arrived by boat along the River Thames.
10 minutes here
Bloody Tower
The Bloody Tower is one of the Tower’s most notorious buildings, linked to imprisonment, political intrigue, and some of the site’s darkest stories.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The meeting point is at the Tower of London Ticket Office. The guide will be holding Urban Saunters sign. If you are traveling by taxi, tell the driver to drop you off on Petty Wales. Nearest Tube station: Tower Hill
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The meeting point is at the Tower of London Ticket Office. The guide will be holding Urban Saunters sign. If you are traveling by taxi, tell the driver to drop you off on Petty Wales. Nearest Tube station: Tower Hill
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
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Urban Saunters
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- After the opening ceremony and introduction, guests explore the Tower independently
- This is a shorter, express experience focused on early access and flexibility
- There is no photography allowed inside Jewel House.
- There is no large luggage allowed into the Tower of London
- Though the ground is mostly flat, we cover quite a lot of it and there are cobblestones so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Guide was informative and...
Guide was informative and prompt. What would have been nice is an audio headset for inside the tower. Disappointed that wasn’t included.
via Viator
Great tour!
Babs was great. She was extremely knowledgeable and very funny. She was excellent at keeping the group together in the crowds. We had a wonderful time. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
YW 419 - Tour of Excellence
YW 419 (Wayne) was excellent from start to finish. He was informative, engaging and funny. Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful
Easy to find group Glad to have arrived early, it gets so crowded History is well explained inside the walls. As well our guide was extraordinary
via Viator
Tower of London & Buckingham Palace
Jo was our guide. She was very informative & entertaining. She made our experience worthwhile. She informed us exactly what areas to visit first in the Tower of London. We had limited time in Tower of London bc we wanted to continue the tour to Buckingham Palace.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- £69 to £89
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Urban Saunters, who run 13 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.4 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Urban Saunters runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access cost?
+
Prices start at £69 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 Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access take?
+
Plan for about 2 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 Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 9 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 Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access?
+
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 Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access?
+
Around 3 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?
+
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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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 The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
What is included in Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access?
+
Included: Expert introduction and orientation by a local expert guide; Beefeater Opening Ceremony; Entrance tickets to The Tower of London and Opening Ceremony; and Early access entry to the Tower of London. Not included: Gratuities; and Hotel pick-up & drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access?
+
The meeting point is at the Tower of London Ticket Office. The guide will be holding Urban Saunters sign. If you are traveling by taxi, tell the driver to drop you off on Petty Wales. Nearest Tube station: Tower Hill Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access offered in?
+
It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access?
+
Across 9 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Tower of London Beefeater Opening Ceremony & Early Access.
Pick your date




