The best Crown Jewels tours in London make one of the city’s top sights easy to enjoy. Inside the Tower of London, the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s Sceptre sit behind thick glass, and they look even better in person than in photos. A moving walkway keeps the line flowing past the main display, photos aren’t allowed, and guides can’t come inside, so it pays to know what you’re looking at before you step in. The right Crown Jewels tour gets you there before the queue builds and tells you the stories first. Here are the five tours I’d book, who each suits, and what each costs.
We offer more than a dozen Tower of London tours, so here’s how these five earned their spot:
Crown Jewels, no exceptions: if a tour skipped the bling, it didn’t make the list. All five get you into the Jewel House to see the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s Sceptre up close.
Tickets taken care of: every pick includes your Tower of London entry, whether that’s a pre-reserved ticket, a timed slot, or getting in before the gates open. You’ll still pass through a quick security check.
The stories come first: guides aren’t allowed inside the Jewel House, so on four of these tours, yours fills you in right at the entrance.
Groups you can actually hear in: every tour caps its group size, at up to 20 guests on four picks and up to 25 on the Beefeater tour.
No rush to leave: every tour ends inside the Tower of London, so you’re free to keep exploring once the guided part wraps up.
Quick Look: The Best Crown Jewels Tours Compared
Want the short version? Here’s how the five picks stack up on time, perks, and price.
Why Book the Pre-Opening Tower of London Tour with Us?
Only this pick gets you inside before the Tower opens to the public. Once the Yeoman Warders unlock the gates in a ritual that’s run for 500 years, you’re steps from the Jewel House as it opens, while most people are still lining up at the outer gates. Your all-day ticket means the rest of the Tower is yours to explore at your own pace.
Highlights:
Early access to the Tower of London with a Yeoman Warder
Beefeater opening ceremony viewing
First access to the Crown Jewels and Jewel House
Guided walking tour of the Tower’s outer grounds
All-day Tower of London ticket, plus a map and audio guide app
Why Book the Express Tower of London Tour with Us?
Your guide walks you right to the Jewel House door and shares the stories behind what’s inside, from the coronation crowns to the Cullinan diamonds. After 1.5 hours of royal drama, the rest of the day is yours, with no time limit on the Crown Jewels or the White Tower.
Highlights:
Pre-reserved Tower of London tickets
Stops for storytelling at Traitors’ Gate, Tower Green, and the Bloody Tower
Access to the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House
Access to the White Tower and royal armor collection
Unlimited time to explore on your own after the guided portion
Why Book the Tower of London & Thames Cruise Combo with Us?
Two London classics, one booking. Your guided tour wraps up at the Jewel House entrance, and your flexible 30-minute Thames cruise ticket is typically valid for about a month, so you can sail straight after the Crown Jewels or save it for another day.
Highlights:
Expert English-speaking guide
Pre-reserved Tower of London tickets
Access to the Crown Jewels and White Tower
Flexible ticket for a 30-minute Thames River cruise
This is the only pick that goes beyond the Tower. You start in Westminster Abbey, where nearly every coronation since 1066 has taken place, catch the Changing of the Guard on ceremony days, and cruise down the Thames. Then you finish with the crowns themselves, and your guide works to keep your wait as short as possible.
Highlights:
Entry and guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard viewing (certain days, weather permitting)
Fifteen minutes with a real Yeoman Warder outside the King’s House, an area closed to regular visitors, is the main event here, photo included. The tour runs in the morning, ahead of the afternoon crowds, and your guide tells you about the most famous pieces before you step into the Jewel House.
Highlights:
Timed entry to the Tower of London
15-minute meet and greet with a Yeoman Warder at the exclusive King’s House
Photo opportunity with a Yeoman Warder
Guided visit to Traitors’ Gate and Tower Green
Access to the Crown Jewels
More Crown Jewels Tour Ideas: Semi-Private Options and a Half-Day Combo
Want a smaller group, or the Crown Jewels as part of a bigger day in London? These three add a pair of semi-private upgrades and a half-day tour that pairs the Tower with Westminster Abbey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crown Jewels Tours
Are Crown Jewels tours worth it?
For most visitors, yes. Guides aren’t allowed inside the Jewel House and a moving walkway keeps the line moving at busy times, so hearing the stories beforehand makes your time in front of each piece count. Still on the fence? Read our take on whether a Tower of London tour is worth it.
What is the best tour to see the Crown Jewels?
The Pre-Opening Tower of London Tour is the top pick if beating the line is your priority, since you’re inside before the public and steps from the Jewel House when it opens. First-timers who want the stories plus free time should look at the Express Tower of London Tour, and anyone keen to meet a Yeoman Warder should book the Beefeater Meet & Greet Tour.
Can you see the Crown Jewels without a tour?
You can. There’s no separate Crown Jewels ticket, since a standard Tower of London ticket includes them. You’ll handle your own timing and miss the stories behind each piece, which is where a guide really earns their keep. Our complete Tower of London guide covers tickets, hours, and what else to see.
How do you beat the Crown Jewels queue?
Go first thing in the morning, since the Tower itself recommends arriving before 11 AM for a quieter visit. The Pre-Opening Tower of London Tour gets you there as the Jewel House opens, and the Beefeater Meet & Greet Tour also runs in the morning, ahead of the afternoon crowds.
How long does it take to see the Crown Jewels?
Plan on at least 20 minutes for the Jewel House, and longer if there’s a line. For the whole Tower of London, including the White Tower and Tower Green, give yourself 2 to 3 hours.
Can you take photos of the Crown Jewels?
No, photos aren’t allowed inside the Jewel House. You can snap away in most other parts of the Tower, so save your camera for the Tower’s other must-see spots, like the White Tower and the ravens.
How much do Crown Jewels tours cost?
The tours on this list start from around $80 to $160 per person, with the London in a Day Tour at the top since it covers the whole city. Private tours cost more but give you a guide all to yourself. The Quick Look table above shows where each pick sits.
Do you need to book Crown Jewels tours in advance?
As early as you can, especially in summer, when Tower of London tickets can sell out by the morning. Spots on the Pre-Opening tour are limited, so lock that one in first. Want to compare more options? See our picks for the best Tower of London tours.
Final Thoughts
The moving walkway past the Crown Jewels keeps things brisk, so how and when you visit really matters. If you only book one tour, make it the Pre-Opening Tower of London Tour for first-of-the-day access to the Jewel House. Short on time in London? The London in a Day Tour fits the Crown Jewels in alongside Westminster Abbey and a Thames cruise. Pre-opening spots are limited, so browse all our Tower of London tours and lock in your date.
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