REVIEW · LONDON
Best of London Tour – Crown Jewels, River Cruise & History Walk
Book on Viator →Operated by Walks - UK · Bookable on Viator
Royal London in one tight package. This tour strings together the Crown Jewels with a Thames river cruise and a short walk through England’s royal sights, all without you worrying about navigation. I love that you get prime Tower positioning and then genuine time to explore at your own speed, not just a hurried checklist.
I also like the pacing trick: guided context at the start, then breathing room in the complex, then a scenic ride to reset your brain with views of Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, and more. The main drawback to plan around is the schedule’s structure. If you pick the Tower Opening Ceremony option, the route can change and the day may end back at the Tower instead of continuing through Westminster.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Tower of London start: Jewel House timing and an easy meet-up
- Crown Jewels viewing: prime position, not a scramble
- Tour inside the Tower: free time that still feels guided
- Bloody Tower and the darker stops you’ll want to catch
- White Tower and the armory: armor tied to monarchs
- What your leader helps you do (and where timing can feel tight)
- Thames River cruise: Tower Bridge views plus the London skyline reset
- Westminster Royal Walk: Abbey outside, then icons at street level
- Opening Ceremony option: when it changes the shape of your day
- Price and value: what $123.61 buys you in real terms
- Who should book this tour, and who might want a different fit
- Should you book the Best of London Tour: Crown Jewels, River Cruise & History Walk?
- FAQ
- How long is the Best of London Tour?
- How many people are in the group?
- What is included in the tour price?
- Is the Tower of London fully guided inside?
- Is admission included for Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, or Buckingham Palace?
- What happens if I choose the Tower Opening Ceremony option?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Is this a walking tour?
- Can I cancel for free?
Key things to know before you go
- Small group of up to 20 keeps you from feeling like a crowd herding exercise
- Crown Jewels first helps you see the highlights before the biggest crush
- Bloody Tower and Torture Tower stories fit well if you like the darker side of royal history
- Thames cruise is the breath mint between fortress history and Westminster landmarks
- Outside sightseeing in Westminster means you’re not paying extra for monument entries on this part
- Opening Ceremony option changes the endpoint so double-check your chosen format
Tower of London start: Jewel House timing and an easy meet-up
Your day kicks off at Tower of London Shop5BT, Tower Place West (Lower Thames Street). From there, the emphasis is on getting you into the Tower quickly, with a plan that aims to put you in a good viewing position for the Crown Jewels.
Why that matters: the Tower is one of those London places where your morning mood can change fast depending on crowds. Starting straight at the Jewel House is a big advantage because you’re not spending your limited time standing around while other groups roll in.
You can also read our reviews of more walking tours in London
Crown Jewels viewing: prime position, not a scramble
The best part of this tour is how it uses your time. You head straight to the Jewel House so you can grab a prime spot to see the Crown Jewels before lines and packed walkways take over.
If you’re the type who wants more than a glance, the structure helps. You’re not stuck listening for hours straight; you get a strong start, then you can keep your attention where it belongs once you’re inside the complex.
There’s also an Opening Ceremony option. If you select it, you’ll do a notable military ritual that officially opens the Tower, then continue into the Jewel House afterward. In simple terms: it’s a more formal, ceremonial start if that’s the angle you care about.
Tour inside the Tower: free time that still feels guided
After the Jewel House, you shift into free time to explore the Tower of London at your own pace. Your tour leader will share suggestions based on what you like, then you can walk the sites that matter most to you.
That mix is practical. The Tower is huge and layered, and no single guided route fits everyone. The leader’s role is to help you hit the most important beats without you getting lost in the layout.
Bloody Tower and the darker stops you’ll want to catch
This is where the tour gets more dramatic. You’ll see the sites where famous prisoners were executed, and you’ll have the option to go into the Bloody Tower to hear the story of the two princes and the legend that surrounds them. The tour also points you toward the Torture Tower, with a clear explanation of how torture was used to extract confessions from prisoners.
Some people come for royal pageantry. Others come for the grim architecture. This tour gives both angles, so you don’t have to choose in advance.
White Tower and the armory: armor tied to monarchs
Next, you’ll have a chance to explore the White Tower, often treated as the heart of the Tower of London experience. The armory displays armor associated with Henry VIII, Charles I, and James II, which is a strong reason to make sure you leave time for this section and not only the headline Crown Jewels.
If you like physical artifacts more than speeches, this portion will likely feel satisfying because it’s tangible and close-up.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in London
What your leader helps you do (and where timing can feel tight)
A pattern shows up in what makes this tour work: your leader helps you move efficiently through big entry points and dense areas, and then you get to steer your own exploration inside the Tower.
In a few cases, guides may not be able to go into certain towers with you due to on-site rules, so don’t expect a fully escorted walk-through of every single room. You’ll still get the story beats and site guidance, but some sections are set up for self-paced wandering.
One practical tip: the Tower gets busy, and hearing commentary can be harder in peak congestion. In some runs, people are issued personal listening devices, which can help you keep up even when you’re surrounded by people craning for photos.
One more planning note: the Tower has a lot to see, and you can feel a bit rushed if you linger too long at one stop. If you’re the kind of person who reads every plaque, consider prioritizing early so you don’t end the day wishing you had chosen differently.
Thames River cruise: Tower Bridge views plus the London skyline reset
After the Tower time, you reunite with your tour leader and board a sightseeing cruise down the River Thames. This segment is about an hour and a bit, and it functions like a reset button after fortress walking.
On the river, you’ll see major landmarks and skyline markers including Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, and more.
A few details are worth calling out because they add texture to what you’re seeing:
- The observation wheel on the skyline that’s popularized in movies and TV
- Tower Bridge described as a 19th-century drawbridge still in use today
- St Paul’s as a resilience story rebuilt after the Great Fire and surviving WWII bombings
- St Paul’s connection to a state funeral for Sir Winston Churchill
If you’ve had your fill of stone walls and iron gates, this cruise gives you space to look, breathe, and take photos without fighting the Tower crowd.
Westminster Royal Walk: Abbey outside, then icons at street level
The river cruise ends in Westminster, where your leader takes you on a walking tour focused on England’s royal history. The key thing here is that it’s an outside viewing walk rather than long interior time.
You pause outside Westminster Abbey, where coronations and royal weddings have taken place for centuries. Then you keep moving through the sights, with time set aside for Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament area.
From there, you continue past Buckingham Palace to see the official residence of the current king and earlier monarchs. The day finishes with a stroll through St James’s Park, which is the oldest royal park in London and a great place to catch your breath before you head onward.
Opening Ceremony option: when it changes the shape of your day
If you book the Opening Ceremony version, your itinerary can shift. The Opening Ceremony option uses the Complete Tower format, and it can change where your tour ends.
Important point: if you choose Opening Ceremony, the tour ends at the Tower of London. That means you won’t get the Westminster royal history walking portion that otherwise continues the day.
If you’re torn, decide what you want more:
- A ceremonial Tower start and more Tower time
- Or a full sweep that includes Westminster, Big Ben, Parliament views, Buckingham Palace, and St James’s Park
Price and value: what $123.61 buys you in real terms
At about $123.61 per person for roughly 4 hours 45 minutes, you’re paying for structure. This isn’t just a ticket bundle; it’s a guided-start experience that aims to save your time and reduce decision stress.
Here’s what you’re getting value for, in practical terms:
- Tower of London entrance included
- Crown Jewels viewing planned early in the visit
- A leader who helps you pick what to see inside the Tower
- A Thames cruise included as a scheduled highlight segment
- A royal history walking portion in Westminster (unless you chose Opening Ceremony format)
What you’re not getting is additional monument entries beyond the Tower. Westminster Abbey, Big Ben (at the street-view level), Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and St James’s Park are part of the walk-by viewing experience, with admission not included for those stops.
That can be a plus if you prefer light, exterior sightseeing. It can feel limiting if you were hoping for interior visits at multiple stops.
Who should book this tour, and who might want a different fit
This is a strong fit if:
- You’re short on time and want Tower of London plus the Thames in one day arc
- You’re a royal history buff who wants the Tower’s big themes in a logical order
- You like the idea of guided direction early, then free time to explore where your eyes naturally land
- You’re traveling as a family and want an experience that can hold attention, including for teens and older kids
It may be less ideal if:
- You want every single room and tower fully guided end-to-end
- You hate schedules and strict meeting windows
- You’re determined to spend long stretches inside every Tower corner without any pressure to move onward
Should you book the Best of London Tour: Crown Jewels, River Cruise & History Walk?
If you want a compact, high-impact day that hits the Crown Jewels, then moves you to the Thames for skyline relief, I’d book it. The combination of Tower time (with leader suggestions) and the river cruise makes the day feel efficient without being purely transactional.
Pick this especially if your priority is the Tower’s headline sites and you’re okay with Westminster being an outside viewing walk. If you crave a ceremonial start and you’re more Tower-focused than Westminster-focused, the Opening Ceremony option is a tempting choice, just remember it changes the endpoint.
FAQ
How long is the Best of London Tour?
The tour runs about 4 hours 45 minutes.
How many people are in the group?
The tour is limited to a maximum of 20 travelers.
What is included in the tour price?
Included are a local English-speaking tour leader, the London river cruise, entrance to the Tower of London, and a royal history walk. The Tower Opening Ceremony is included if you select that option.
Is the Tower of London fully guided inside?
You’ll have free time to explore the Tower at your own pace, with your tour leader providing suggestions based on what you’re interested in.
Is admission included for Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, or Buckingham Palace?
No. Admission to those monuments is not included. The stops are handled as sightseeing views and a walking portion.
What happens if I choose the Tower Opening Ceremony option?
If you select the Opening Ceremony, you’ll be doing the Complete Tower option, and the tour ends at the Tower of London instead of continuing through the Westminster royal history walking portion.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Tower of London Shop5BT, Tower Place West, 50 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6DT, and ends at Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2ET. (If you select Opening Ceremony, the end point changes as noted above.)
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
Is this a walking tour?
Yes. It is a walking tour, and you should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
