The Tower of London is one of London’s best-known landmarks. This imposing fortress has been the home of royalty and prisoners, and its ancient walls are steeped in history, ceremony, and tradition.
Over three million tourists visit the Tower of London each year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. But if you’d prefer to explore London’s historic sites without the crowds, a private tour of the Tower of London is an amazing way to immerse yourself in its history and legend.
My family and I visited London in June 2024. We enjoyed an unforgettable evening with our own expert guide, exploring the Tower and witnessing a centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys.
Read on for my full review of a private after hours Tower of London tour and find out whether I’d recommend it.
History Of The Tower Of London
The Tower of London was founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 after the Norman Conquest.
The Tower is actually made up of several buildings including the Bloody Tower and the Jewel House where the priceless Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are held. The White Tower, which is what most people think of as the Tower of London, dates back to 1078.
Over the last thousand years of British history, the Tower has been an armory, a treasury, and a prison. It’s been under siege several times, and has also been a royal residence. Kings and queens of England including Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I all stayed there briefly before their coronations.
At the other end of the scale, the Tower has also been a prison and place of execution. Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, and fifth wife, Catherine Howard, were both executed in the Tower, while Lady Jane Grey, known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’, was executed on Tower Green.
Along with Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London is one of the most popular UK tourist attractions. It’s a Historic Royal Palace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visiting the Tower of London will transport you back in time as you explore its impressive history and architecture.
Why Do A Private Tower Of London Tour?
This private walking tour allows you to explore an iconic London landmark with an expert private tour guide. You can book it through GetYourGuide, and what I love about it is it’s refundable up to 24 hours in advance, so if your plans change, you aren’t stuck with expensive tickets. There are several advantages to booking one of these VIP experiences.
First of all, you’ll get to explore the Tower after hours when the crowds have all gone home, and it’s pretty cool to see such a historic building with fewer people around. You get an idea of what life might have been like hundreds of years ago inside the historic walls of the Tower of London.
You’ll also benefit from the expert knowledge of a Yeoman Warder. These are the people who guard the Crown Jewels, and their expertise will give you a deeper understanding of your surroundings. You’ll be able to ask questions and gain fascinating insights into the Tower’s history from your private guide.
It’s important to note that this tour only goes inside the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London, and you won’t get to see the Crown Jewels. All the other buildings are closed for the evening so you won’t see inside any of them.
However, you can sit in the pews at the chapel and learn about the famous people buried there, including three of Henry VIII’s six wives.
If you want to see the Crown Jewels or any other buildings, you’ll need to book a daytime tour of the Tower of London or visit on your own earlier in the day.
Having done both experiences, I can say hands-down that the after hours ceremony of the keys is absolutely worth it and I didn’t feel like we missed anything (but I’d already done the inside tour). If the timing doesn’t work out for you, check out these other great tours.
What To Expect On Your Private Tour Of The Tower Of London
We were greeted at the Tower by Lisa, one of the Yeomen Warders, otherwise known as Beefeaters. Lisa is only the 4th female Warder in its 700 year history, and it was a treat to be guided through the property and hear her stories.
Meeting The Yeoman Warders
Yeoman Warders are all former members of the UK military who have served for at least 20 years and have been commended for good service. Beefeaters are now a ceremonial guard and mainly responsible for guided tours, but in former times, they would have guarded the Crown Jewels and prisoners in the Tower.
The Yeoman Warders are famous for their Tudor-style uniforms. When we visited a few years ago, it was just days after Queen Elizabeth II had passed away. This trip, it was striking to see that the uniforms had been updated with the CRIII monogram for Charles Rex III in place of the ERII for Elizabeth Regina II.
Lisa guided us through the Tower’s history, telling us all about its construction, how the moat worked, and which building is the most haunted.
Hearing these tales from someone who lives and works in the Tower was fascinating. Over 100 people live on-site with their families and pets, including kids as young as five years old. It must be amazing to call the Tower of London home!
The Chapel Of St Peter Ad Vincula
Although I’d been to the Tower of London before, I hadn’t visited the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula. It was really neat to sit in the pews of the historic church and learn about the famous people buried there, including three of Henry VIII’s six wives.
Lisa explained that they even hold weddings in the intimate setting of the Tower’s chapel for the small community who live in the Tower. In fact, there was a wedding on the weekend before our visit for the daughter of one of the Warders, who had grown up in the Tower and had returned to marry there.
Keepers Of The Ravens
The Yeoman Warders are also responsible for the Tower’s ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens fly away, the Tower and the British monarchy will fall. Later in the tour, we met one of the keepers of the ravens, who was trying to round up the last bird at bedtime.
The most amazing part of the tour was the fact that we were almost alone in the Tower. Apart from our little group of 18 people, just three other groups were exploring the alleyways and staircases of the Tower. Most of the time, it felt like we were on our own there.
I’ve visited the Tower on a regular day before and it’s so much busier during the daytime. The difference was really striking, and the empty spaces gave me some fantastic photo opportunities. I just couldn’t stop snapping away!
The Ceremony Of The Keys
The final part of the private Tower of London tour is the Ceremony of the Keys, which has taken place at 10pm every night for over 700 years. It’s said to be the oldest ongoing military tradition in the world! The only time the ceremony has even been delayed was once, during WW2, and King George made it clear that it was never to happen again.
The ceremony was originally established as a curfew to ensure that all Yeoman Warders returned home early instead of staying out late drinking!
Our guide, Lisa, shared some more fascinating history about the ceremony. She explained that there’s a secret password that changes at 3pm every day. It’s mainly just to maintain the tradition, but all Warders on duty receive the password in case they are challenged as legitimate guards.
The three other groups visiting the Tower joined us for the ceremony, so around 100 people were watching on the evening we visited. We ended up quite far from the front, so the boys and I couldn’t see very much.
If it’s important to you to see the whole thing, try to be close to the Yeoman Warder at the end of the tour so that you can get the best front-row spot possible.
First, a sentry challenges the Chief Warder in charge of the keys to identify him- or herself. The Chief Warder answers, “The King’s keys,” and is eventually allowed to pass.
At the end of the ceremony, the Chief Warder proclaims, “God preserve King Charles.” We were all invited to join the Guard as they replied, “Amen!”
Visitors are locked into the Tower during the ceremony, but a small door is opened within the large exterior gates so you can leave afterwards.
Our tour started at 8.30pm, and I was worried that the boys wouldn’t be able to handle the late finish. But they were brilliant throughout the two-tour, stayed quiet during the ceremony, and only started to get crabby and tired in the Uber back to the hotel.
I think that’s pretty understandable, considering we got back at nearly 11pm!
What To Wear At The Tower Of London
The private tour is pretty casual so feel free to wear whatever clothing you feel comfortable in.
Flat shoes are a must when you’re exploring London. You’ll be walking on a lot of uneven cobblestones and some steep inclines at the Tower of London, so comfortable walking shoes or trainers are recommended.
Layering two thin pairs of lightweight socks will help avoid blisters on long days walking around London.
Of course, London is known for its changeable weather, so a lightweight rainproof jacket is always a must, even if you’re visiting in summer!
Tips For A Private Tour Of The Tower Of London
If possible, this tour would be better during the warmer months in London when the evenings are longer.
Public transportation is the easiest way to get to the Tower of London. There are bus stops nearby, and the closest London Underground station is Tower Hill on the District and Circle Lines. You can find schedules and route details on the Transport for London website.
You could also take an iconic London black cab to the Tower. If you’d like a more memorable way to arrive at the Tower of London, you can take a River Bus on the River Thames from central London to the nearby pier.
This tour involves a lot of walking and standing on cobblestones and uneven pathways. You will need to be able to stand and walk for two hours, and flat shoes are recommended. There was only one opportunity to sit down for about 10 minutes in the chapel, and you must remain standing during the ceremony.
To make the most of your time, combine your visit to the Tower of London with other London attractions in the local area, such as Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, and the Golden Hinde.
FAQs
Is The Tower Of London Suitable For Visitors with Limited Mobility?
Wheelchair access to the Tower of London is limited, and there are some uneven floors and steep spiral staircases. However, we didn’t really go in the buildings because it was after hours – the Ceremony of the Keys tour is limited to the grounds. For that reason, it’s more accessible than some other options, but still not ideal.
If you’re a wheelchair user or have any specific mobility concerns, it’s advisable to contact the tour operator before you book to check that the tour will be suitable for your accessibility concerns.
Accessible toilets are available at the Tower of London.
Are All Costs Included In This Private Tour Of The Tower Of London?
Gratuities for the guides aren’t included in the cost of this privately guided tour and there are no refreshments provided. There was not an expectation of a tip, so don’t feel like you need to plan this into your budget.
The on-site cafes are closed when this tour runs, so you may wish to take your own refreshments. There are plenty of places to eat in the area around the Tower, though we did find that the nearest fast-casual restaurants (Pret and Starbucks) were both closing before our tour began so arrive early if you want time to grab something.
Is Photography Allowed On A Private Tour Of The Tower Of London?
I had no problems taking our DSLR camera into the Tower and photography is allowed in most areas. However, you can’t take photos or video in the Chapel or during the Ceremony of the Keys. The guides will let you know when it is time to put away recording devices.
Is the Ceremony of the Keys Good for Kids?
My kids loved the tour! The boys were 7 and 10 at the time of our visit, and they found the tour, the stories, and the activity of it all quite interesting. We had visited the Tower on a self-guided tour when they were 6 and 9, and they had an equally good time hearing the history, searching for ravens, and peeping at the jewels.
As long as your children can be still and quiet for about 20 minutes during the ceremony, and can manage the late hour (we wrapped up just before 11 pm), this is a great tour with kids. Mine definitely started melting down as we left, but they did great right up until then.
Wrap Up
Overall, this was an incredibly cool way to see one of London’s most iconic attractions, and I highly recommend it.
The ceremony takes place outdoors at 10pm all year round, so I would definitely recommend going in the summer. It will be much colder in winter, and you won’t be able to see the buildings as well after dark. Photography would be much more difficult as well.
I worried that we’d feel like we were missing out by not seeing the Crown Jewels or more of the Tower. But it was such an interesting and complete tour that we didn’t feel that way at all. We got to see a ton, we learned masses, and it felt way more special to explore the Tower without the usual crowds of people around.
Although seeing the ceremony is more of a privilege, as not many people get to see it, I enjoyed the tour more than the ceremony. Being guided around the Tower by a Yeoman Warder and hearing all her fascinating stories was an absolute joy. I highly recommend this tour. It was an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of our visit to London.
