Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
- Tower of London
Photos & Highlights
- Walk in the footsteps of the kings, queens, thieves, traitors, and financiers of London's past with an expert who pulls back the curtain on lesser known stories of the city.
- Engage with deep insights and rich, detailed stories of ambition, betrayal, and power that have shaped British history.
Tour Description
Step through the ancient gates of the Tower of London and feel the weight of its storied past in the air. Each step you take reverberates with the tales of history—stories of ambition, betrayal, and power echoing through the centuries.Â
With an expert historian as your guide, you’ll uncover the dramatic events that have shaped British history, from the Norman Conquest to the secrets of the Crown Jewels.
Your journey begins outside the Tower where you'll get a glimpse into the life of William the Conqueror, the Norman king who began construction of the original fortress in the 1070s. Uncover the architectural brilliance and military might of its Norman origins before strolling through the Medieval Palace, imagining the daily lives of kings and queens.Â
As your expert weaves captivating narratives, scenes of royalty, prisoners, military figures, and day to day activities within the Tower will spring to life before you. Historical facts are connected to the human experiences behind them, helping you connect on a deeper level. Go beyond the history books to learn about the chilling stories of imprisonment and execution at the Bloody Tower, where notable figures like Anne Boleyn met their fate.Â
This tour is not just a walk through history; it’s a personalized adventure tailored to your interests. You'll gain a nuanced understanding of the Tower's role in shaping modern Britain and leave with a deeper connection to the Tower’s legacy, along with a greater understanding of its place in history.
Experts
- You want to dive deep into London's past, exploring history through an up close and personal recounting of life at one of the city's most iconic historical sites.
- You’re interested in uncovering medieval life and customs by exploring the Tower's rich history as a royal residence and prison.
- You crave a deeper, more personalized understanding of one of Britain's most iconic landmarks.
- Tower of London
General Information
- While we can't guide you in certain areas like the White Tower, Jewel House, and Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula due to venue rules, these parts of the Tower are still open for you to explore independently.Â
- Your Context guide will provide all the essential information to ensure you fully appreciate these sections.
Admission Tickets
- Includes skip-the-line access tickets to the Tower of London
- Our skip-the-line tickets will get us to a special lane where our group may have to stand in line due to security and crowd control measures.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
A few things that pair well with this tour:Â
- A light jacket or umbrella in case the London weather decides to shift.Â
- All of your most niche and specific questions about the Tower, British history, the monarchy… Nothing is off limits!
- Keep immersing yourself in the city’s history after the tour with a self-paced audio guide.Â
Looking for insider recommendations? Get expert tips to seeing the true London in our London City Guide.
When is the best time to visit the Tower of London?
Mornings are generally less crowded, which enhances your overall experience. With fewer people, you get less waiting time, and a more intimate setting to appreciate the historical significance of the Tower of London. And during warmer months, mornings are cooler and more comfortable for walking tours.
Will we visit any interiors?
Interior access is not guaranteed.
Will we visit any interiors?
Interior access is not guaranteed.
Will we get to talk to the Beefeaters on this tour?
During the tour, you will likely see Beefeaters, also known as Yeoman Warders, performing their duties. While direct interaction with them is not a standard part of our tour, observing them in their traditional roles adds a unique and authentic aspect to the experience.Â
What happens if it rains during our tour?
Our tours are designed to go ahead, rain or shine. English weather is known for its unpredictability, so we recommend coming prepared for all conditions. Please bring layers to adjust to changing temperatures and comfortable shoes suitable for walking.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
There is a lift in the White Tower that assists with access to and from the basement, though only one wheelchair user is allowed in the basement at a time for safety reasons.
Ramps are available at the New Armouries café and near the Raven shop. Accessible restrooms are available at various locations within the Tower​​ complex.
Are service dogs allowed?Â
Service dogs are permitted at the Tower. Please inform our team ahead of time so that we can coordinate with Tower offices.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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668 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Amazing doesn't begin to describe our tour with Ruth. Her love and knowledge of history is evident and vast. This was our first tour we took after arriving to London and she set the groundwork perfectly for the rest of our trip. My only regret is not hiring her to be our tour guide for the entire week. Ruth thank you so so much you are FANTASTIC!
Christine
Nov 18, 2024
We loved our tour with Tim. Tim was so knowledgeable and personable and made the tour so fun. The tour itself was thorough but he brought it to life!
Kim
Nov 4, 2024
Sarah did an excellent job of interacting with our kids. She also gave us an appropriate context of London history before we went to the Tower. I thought I was “up to speed” but she had a few tricks up her sleeve. This kind of info is exactly what you pay for when you use context. I highly recommend this tour.
Alex
Oct 16, 2024
See the Tower of London with Context
Get to know one of the historians leading this tour
Meet Tim
