LetzGo’s Crown Jewels and Torture tour explores the Tower of London’s most compelling and darkest chapters: the glittering ceremonial power of the Crown Jewels contrasted with the brutal reality of the Tower’s centuries as a place of imprisonment, interrogation, and execution. Your guide covers the Jewel House, the Bloody Tower (where the Princes in the Tower disappeared in 1483), the torture instruments used during Tudor and Stuart interrogations, and Tower Green, the site of the most famous executions in English history.
Tower of London: Crown Jewels, Torture & Executions Tour
Journey from the Crown Jewels to chilling tales of the Tower’s darkest secrets.
Tour Overview
With timed entry tickets you’ll enjoy quicker entry, avoiding the long lines at the ticket office to begin a tour of discovery of the most famous royal landmark in London including the world’s most famous jewel collection, the Crown Jewels.
Explore and discover the macabre to the truly magnificent at the world famous Tower of London – a former 11th century fortification, prison and execution site. This fully guided visit to one of London’s most iconic landmarks offers the best opportunity to view 100 objects and over 23,000 gemstones displayed in a royal setting that is designed to impress.
This comprehensive tour of the Tower of London is led by a first-class Blue Badge London guide who will begin outside the tower and introduce guests to the fortress structure, built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. Upon entering, the guide will discuss the architectural developments of the Tower from its beginning up to the present day and how it evolved into one of the most famous royal residences in the world.
The tour will also include a visit to the infamous execution site where many of those imprisoned where subjected to either private or public executions depending on their crimes and status including prisoners like Ann Boleyn the 2nd wife of Henry VIII who after three years of marriage sentenced her to execution, just one of many executions that have inspired dozens of books and films.
All that said, be prepared to be shocked by stories of the unfortunate prisoners who were tortured within the walls of the Tower of London and witness and see the torture chambers and its many various torture instruments such as the rack, the Scavenger’s Daughter and the manacles. The rack was the most widely used instrument of torture, designed to stretch the victim’s body, eventually dislocating the limbs and ripping them from their sockets.
While in the Tower tour guests can also witness the Yeoman Warders, also known as the Beefeaters, go about their royal duties as the ceremonial guardians of the Tower as well as visit the legendary ravens that have been at the Tower for over 300 years. In summary, for the most engaging visit to the Tower of London this tour has all the major highlights included. This tour can be best described as a concise and excellent guide to the Tower of London’s incredible history and how the Tower of London has come to be what it is today.
Upgrade your experience by continuing your journey on the River Thames. After exploring the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, enjoy a premium guided river cruise operated by Historic Royal Palaces, offering a relaxed and scenic way to take in London’s most iconic landmarks from the water.
What's Included
- Timed Easy Access to Tower of London
- Entry to world famous Crown Jewels Exhibition – see up-close the Imperial State Crown, The Koh-I-Noor Crown and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross
- Entry to White Tower - Marvel at the imposing White Tower, a magnificent example of Norman architecture at the heart of the Tower of London.
- Tower Bridge - the most famous bridge in England.
Highlights
- Visit to the famous Raven House home to the most famous birds in London
- Visit to Tower Green and Scaffold Site - the official location of executions at the Tower
- Enter and explore the most infamous prison at the Tower of London
- Visit the Battlements - walk the defensive inner battlements and huge towers that have guarded the Tower of London for centuries.
- Lower Wakefield Tower and see the terrifying instruments of torture
- Upgrade available: Enjoy a premium Thames River Cruise operated by Historic Royal Palaces
Languages
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Italian