Planning to see the Crown Jewels and wondering if a Crown Jewels tour is worth it, when guides can’t even follow you inside? The short answer is yes. A moving walkway carries you past the main display at a steady pace, so every second in front of the crowns counts. I’ve walked groups to the Jewel House door more times than I can count, and knowing what you’re looking at before you step in makes all the difference. Here’s what a guide adds, what going solo costs, and when a pre-opening tour makes sense.
Pro Tip: Planning your visit to the Crown Jewels? Bookmark this post so you can find it when you’re in London. See our complete Tower of London guide for hours and what else to see, and our guide on how to visit the Crown Jewels for tickets and queue tips.
What Are the Crown Jewels?
The Crown Jewels are the coronation regalia of the British monarchy: 23,578 gemstones kept under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. They’ve been on display at the Tower since 1661, the year Charles II was crowned.
Why most of it dates from the 1600s: the medieval regalia was destroyed in 1649, after the English Civil War. Only the Coronation Spoon survived, so almost everything you’ll see was made for Charles II.
Still on the job: this is a working collection. If a piece is out for a state occasion, such as the State Opening of Parliament, you’ll find an “in use” sign in its place.
Common mix-up: there’s no separate Crown Jewels ticket. The Jewel House sits inside the Tower of London, so your Tower ticket gets you in. Check current hours on the official Crown Jewels website.
St. Edward’s Crown
This is the crown placed on the monarch’s head at the exact moment of crowning, most recently for King Charles III.
The Imperial State Crown and Sovereign’s Sceptre
Together, these two hold the largest stones cut from the Cullinan, the biggest gem-quality uncut diamond ever found.
The Koh-i-Noor
Set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, this diamond belonged to Mughal emperors, Persian Shahs, and Sikh Maharajas before it reached London.
Not ready to book a tour? Read our guide on how to visit the Tower of London.
Is a Crown Jewels Tour Worth It?
Short answer: Yes. A £38 adult ticket gets you into the Jewel House on your own, but a tour gets you there at the right time and briefs you at the door, since guides can’t follow you inside.
Let’s be honest: we’re a tour company, so of course we lean toward a tour. We won’t pretend a guide stands beside you at the display cases, though. The value comes from everything around your visit.
Going solo? That £38 Tower of London ticket covers:
- The Crown Jewels in the Jewel House
- The White Tower and the battlements
- A Yeoman Warder tour, subject to availability
Tickets are timed, and summer slots can sell out by the morning, so book at least a week ahead. If you’re happy to read up beforehand, a solo visit still works. Most of our Crown Jewels tours run from around $80 to $160 per person, and here’s what they add.
A Briefing at the Jewel House Door
Right at the entrance, your guide fills you in on what’s inside, from the coronation crowns to the Cullinan diamonds. You’ll also get the practical bits, like no photos inside, so you can just enjoy the display.
Knowing When to Join the Queue
Timing matters more here than almost anywhere in the Tower. Guides know when the Jewel House line builds and work to keep your wait as short as possible. Your entry is pre-reserved, though security checks still apply.
The Tower’s Other Stories
The jewels are the finale, not the whole show. Most of our tours stop at Traitors’ Gate, Tower Green, and the Bloody Tower first, then leave you free to spend as long as you like with the crowns.
Is a Pre-Opening Tour Worth It for the Crown Jewels?
Short answer: Yes, if beating the queue is your top priority. You’re inside before the Tower opens to the public, watch the Yeoman Warders unlock the gates in a ceremony that’s run for 500 years, and reach the Jewel House as it opens.
The trade-off is an early start and a shorter guided portion, about an hour. Your all-day ticket means you can keep exploring afterward, and spots are limited, so book early.
Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Tower of London tour is worth it.
Most Popular Crown Jewels Tours
Which tour fits you depends on your budget, how much time you have in London, and whether you want the Crown Jewels on their own or as part of a bigger day. These are our most popular Crown Jewels tours.
Not ready to book a tour? Compare the best Crown Jewels tours to take and why.
Crown Jewels Tour FAQs
Yes, the jewels deliver either way. A standard Tower of London ticket includes the Jewel House, so independent travelers who book ahead will still have a great visit. You’ll just handle your own timing and read up on the stories beforehand.
Most Crown Jewels tours run 1 to 2 hours, with your guide sharing the stories at the Jewel House entrance before you head inside. Allow about an hour for the Jewel House itself, and at least 3 hours if you want to see the rest of the Tower.
They can, especially in summer, when Tower of London tickets are sometimes gone by the morning. There’s no separate Crown Jewels ticket, so book your Tower entry or tour at least a week ahead, and earlier in July and August.
First thing in the morning, or after lunch once the morning rush eases. A pre-opening tour gets you to the Jewel House the moment it opens, which is the surest way to keep your wait short.
No, photography isn’t allowed anywhere in the Jewel House. You can take photos in most other parts of the Tower, so save your camera for the White Tower and the ravens.
Guides aren’t permitted inside, so tours share the stories at the entrance before you head in on your own. Once you’re through, you’re free to explore the rest of the Tower at your own pace.
Final Verdict
A Crown Jewels tour is worth it for most first-time visitors. You’ll see the same crowns as everyone else, but you’ll know which one crowned a king and which diamond passed through Mughal hands, and you’ll spend less time in line getting there.
Travelers who book a timed ticket early, arrive at opening, and don’t mind reading up beforehand can happily go it alone.
However you go, make the Jewel House a priority in London. Compare our Crown Jewels tours and book early, since pre-opening spots are limited.
Not ready to book a tour? Find a spot to refuel among the best restaurants near the Tower of London.
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With a city as magnificent as London, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in London.
