Tower of London

One of England's first Norman castles, as well as its most feared prison and the home of the Crown Jewels.

TravelCurious Tip

Take notice of the extravagantly dressed Beefeaters, more properly called Yeoman Warders. They have been the royal bodyguards of the Tower and the crown jewels since 1509 and still wear the Tudor State Dress when royalty comes to the castle.

Norman power

Since 1066 AD, the year of the momentous Norman invasion, the Tower of London has stood as a sign of the strength of England and a fearsome reminder to anyone who challenges the security of the realm or the authority of the king.

When the Norman Duke William the Conqueror took control of England he went about establishing his authority across his new kingdom. He immediately began building castles throughout the country, bringing the impressive fort-building skills of Normandy with him, the likes of which England had never seen. These huge stone structures represented the might of the Norman lords and their armies, and struck fear and awe into the conquered English.

The most important of these castles was the Tower of London. Around 1078 the Conqueror added what has come to be known as the White Tower, which is also where the castle gets its name. Located on the north bank of the River Thames, surrounded by a moat and high stone walls, it was in an ideal location to defend from attack, and, at least for the first century or two, also reminded rebellious Londoners who their new overlords were.

Princes, wives and twins

For over 800 years the Tower was also England’s most dreaded prison, and in its time has held some of the most high-profile names in European history. During the Wars of the Roses, the Tower was the site of the mystery of ‘The Princes in the Tower.’ When King Edward IV died his 12-year-old son became Edward V. However, young Edward’s uncle and guardian went to Parliament, had Edward and his younger brother legally declared illegitimate, and took the crown for himself, becoming Richard III. The young princes still had many powerful supporters, so in order to prevent them becoming a figurehead of rebellion Richard had the boys locked in the Tower. Shortly after they were imprisoned it was reported that the boys had mysteriously disappeared. They were never to be seen again.

To this day historians still argue over the fate of the Princes in the Tower. Was Richard III the murderous hunchback of Shakespeare or did the conspiracy go even deeper? The Tower is also where Henry VIII’s wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, were notoriously executed along with their alleged lovers. In 1952, East End gangsters the Kray twins were among the last prisoners to be held here.

Ravens, jewels and poppies

Despite its often grim history, the castle has always been primarily a royal palace. During the Middle Ages it was tradition that before the coronation ceremony of a new monarch the next king or queen would spend the night in the Tower of London in preparation for the big day. It was also probably the first zoo in England, housing the royal menagerie, which visitors can see today. The menagerie has been empty since 1835, but there are still seven ravens - cared for by the resident Raven Master - to be found living next to Wakefield tower. Legend has it that if the birds leave, the Tower will fall.

Visitors may also see the magnificent Crown Jewels of England, which have been on public display since 1960. From November 2014 the Tower has been the site of Paul Cummins and Tom Piper’s Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, a deeply moving installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies in commemoration of the lives lost in WW1. The castle, host to compelling historical mystery and brimming with stories of kingship, romance, and murder, remains a vibrant and fascinating destination.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in London
Tower Bridge
London's iconic bridge across the River Thames, with two beautiful Victorian towers.
Shad Thames
A historic riverside street besides Tower Bridge. Lined with tall Victorian warehouses.
HMS Belfast
An iconic battleship permanently moored on the Thames ,that once served in WW2.
East India Company
Today's current Lloyd's of London Building occupies what was once the former site of the East India Company - itself famous for the wealth and corruption it brought Englishmen returning from its service.
The Crown Jewels
The Crown Jewels,Kings and queens of England have stored crowns in Tower of London
Boar’s Head Inn
Boar’s Head Inn comprehends a few taverns in London with reference to Shakespeare plays and characters, specially Henry IV.

Related Tours

Royal London: Private Half-Day Tour Including The Tower of London
Explore the home of the British Monarchy in the heart of the city and discover some of Royal London’s most popular landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben), including a visit to the Tower of London and seeing the exquisite Crown Jewels. 

On your private half-day tour, you will:

  • Meet your professional Blue Badge tour guide to start your journey at the Tower of London, a 900-year-old historic castle and fortress;
  • Marvel at the magnificent Crown Jewels, some of the most important symbols of the Monarchy still used today by the Royal Family;
  • See stunning views of London’s most popular landmarks from the water including Tower BridgeSt. Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye;
  • Enjoy a walking tour that will take you to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament and Big Ben;
  • End your tour in Trafalgar Square, where your guide will recommend other must-see sites you don't want to miss.

Your tour will begin at the Tower of London where you will explore this 900-year-old castle and learn about the kings and queens who lived and died in the Tower and its role as a fortress, prison, zoo, and observatory. 

Before entering the Jewel House to see the famous Crown Jewels collection, your guide will tell you all about their religious and cultural significance and the many attempts to steal these beautiful diamonds! Important: Your guide will be accompanying you through the visit but is not allowed to give live commentary while inside the collection.
 
After visiting the Tower of London, you will commute like a true Londoner on a water bus on the river Thames to Westminster Pier where you will see some of the most popular sights from the water along the way, including Tower Bridge and the London Eye.

Once in Westminster, you will see the Houses of Parliament - the home of the British government, and the magnificent Elizabeth Tower known as "Big Ben". A short walk on, you will come to the exterior of the beautiful Westminster Abbey, where every English king and queen for the last 1000 years has received their coronation, and where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married. 

Walk along the Mall and learn curious facts about British kings and queens, who turned the British Empire into the most dominant power on Earth. 

Your tour finishes in Trafalgar Square, where your guide will show you the best places to spend the rest of your time exploring, dining, and shopping.
London in a Day: Private Walking Tour including the London Eye
This full-day tour is the perfect way to see London's most iconic attractions in a day, making the most of your time in the English capital by the hand of a professional tour guide who will share local stories and the history of the city.

On your full-day walking tour, you will: 

  • Spend a day in London with a Blue Badge tour guide who will share the history behind the most popular landmarks and hidden gems;
  • Get access to the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey and take a ride in the London eye;
  • Visit the Tower of London and see the impressive Crown Jewels, while learning about the Line of Kings and the Royal Family;
  • Stop for lunch at one of the many options in the City of London;
  • Hop aboard a Thames river bus to see some of the best sites from the water, including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe Theatre, and Tower Bridge;
  • Explore one of the world’s most famous Gothic cathedrals, Westminster Abbey, and see the place where royal coronations take place;
  • Enjoy a walking tour of the city of Westminster, where you’ll see St James’s PalaceBuckingham Palace, the Horse Guards, the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben;
  • Conclude your tour at the London Eye, where your guide will give you Fast-track tickets to see the city of London from above.
Meet your guide at the Tower of London and explore one of the oldest buildings in the city where some of the greatest events in English history occurred. You will have the opportunity to admire the unmissable and stunning Crown Jewels which are kept here behind extensive security in the aptly-named Jewel House.

On leaving the Tower, travel to Westminster by river bus for a walking tour past some of London’s most famous buildings including St James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards, the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben

Your full-day tour will continue in Westminster Abbey, London’s royal church, the site of 38 coronations and the venue for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. You will learn about the Coronation ceremony and enjoy the beauty of this 800-year-old treasure. 

After a day in London filled with history, culture and visits to the most iconic landmarks, it's time for a relaxing ride on the London Eye, one of the world's biggest Ferris Wheels for spectacular views across London that you will enjoy with your group.


Please Note: timing of the itinerary, including lunch and Westminster Abbey, are subject to change
Changing of the Guard, Westminster & Tower of London: Full-Day Tour
Experience a full-day private tour of London's spectacular Royal landmarks with a private and knowledgeable Blue Badge guide and discover the most popular sites including the Tower of London, the best of Westminster and the opportunity to see the Changing of the Guard. 

On your private full-day tour, you will:

  • Visit  Parliament Square and see the famous Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey (from the outside only);
  • Walk through St James’s Park, see the giant marble memorial to Queen Victoria in front of Buckingham Palace and follow the famous Changing of the Guard parade;
  • See St James's Palace and Horse Guards Parade;
  • Walk along Whitehall to see number 10 Downing Street and through Trafalgar Square;
  • Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Thames with views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Globe Theatre;
  • Explore the Tower of London, a former royal castle turned traitor's prison;
  • Go round the White Tower, the armoury and mint; 
  • Step inside the dungeons and torture chambers, walk the battlements and visit the Chapel Royal; 
  • Learn about the Princes in the TowerHenry VIII and the fate of his wives Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the young Lady Jane GreySir Walter Raleigh, and many others; 
  • Meet the ravens and the Beefeaters or Yeoman Warders who guard the Tower;
  • Admire the dazzling Crown Jewels;
  • End outside the Jewel House where you are free to explore more at your own leisure or exit the Tower with your guide. 

Please note: that the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace normally happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturday, but this is subject to change and weather conditions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays you will see the changing of the Horseguards at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. 
The tour begins at 10 a.m. every day except Sunday when it begins at 9.15 a.m. 

Enjoy Royal London on this fantastic day tour that begins in the heart of Westminster, follows the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and ends with the sight of the dazzling Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. 

Meet your guide at Westminster for a tour outside the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Learn about the political history of Parliament Square and its relationship to The Crown. Westminster Abbey has been the site of 38 coronations since 1066, and numerous royal weddings and funerals, including the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Her Majesty The Queen's state funeral. 

From Westminster, wander up Birdcage Walk where you will follow the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Follow the Guardsmen and military band, with their famous red coats and black bearskin hats to Buckingham Palace. Head into Trafalgar Square, via Horseguards Parade, and along Whitehall - the political nerve centre of the UK and the address of 10 Downing Street - home to the British Prime Minister. 

Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Thames to Tower Bridge. You'll get to see London and Waterloo Bridges, the London Eye, the Globe, the skyscrapers, and St Paul’s Cathedral from the boat. 

Your guide will then accompany you to St. Katherine's Docks for lunch (not included), after which you will enjoy an exclusive private tour of the infamous Tower of London, with reserved tickets included. 

Then it's time to enter the Tower of London! Walk past Traitor's Gate and discover the many stories and scandals hidden within the walls of this ancient building.  It was formerly a moated royal palace, that became an armoury, a royal mint, a zoo... and most famously the traitor's prison! You'll meet the Beefeaters and the ravens who guard the Tower and discover the stories behind some of the Tower's most famous prisoners from the young Princes in the Tower to Queen Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey whose graffiti you can still see in her prison cell. 

Explore the White Tower, the oldest part of the fortress, walk the battlements, enter the torture chambers (if you dare!) and visit the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, where some very famous queens are buried.  

Best of all, you will be able to admire the dazzling Crown Jewels which are kept behind extensive security in the aptly-named Jewel House. 

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the strict security measures in place and the moving viewing platform, your guide cannot accompany you but will wait for you at the exit. 

End your tour inside the Tower to explore more at your leisure - or return to modern life with your guide! 
Family Friendly Royal London: Full Day Private Tour
Experience the perfect tour of Royal London in a day for families with teens and children, including the Changing of the Guard. Keep even the most easily distracted children entertained on this fabulous, fun, and fascinating tour of Royal London! We know how important it is to inspire all ages and work hard to ensure a perfect match with a family-friendly Blue Badge guide. 

On your private tour you will:

  • Explore the grand buildings around Westminster, like the Houses of ParliamentBig Ben, and Westminster Abbey from the outside;
  • Walk down Birdcage Walk to see St James's Park and the Pelicans donated to King Charles II by a Russian ambassador during a visit in 1664;
  • Witness the pomp and circumstance of the Changing of the Guard;
  • Walk along the Mall to see St James's Palace, the Horse Guards on Whitehall, and the iconic Trafalgar Square with the mighty Nelson's Column;
  • Enjoy a scenic river boat ride up the Thames with fabulous views of St. Paul's Cathedral and Shakespeare's Globe, skyscrapers like the Shard, to Tower Bridge;
  • Enjoy a fully guided tour of the Tower of London with priority access - no waiting in line! 
  • Learn about the Tudors, especially two of the wives of Henry VIII who were imprisoned and beheaded at the Tower: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. 
  • Walk around Tower Green, visit the White Tower, and see the execution site of Anne Boleyn and others;
  • Explore the prison cells - see the graffiti left by Lady Jane Grey and Sir Walter Raleigh;
  • Visit the torture chambers and hear the gruesome tales and techniques of medieval torture;
  • Learn all about the magnificent Crown Jewels outside the Jewel House; before going in without your guide (this is due to the strict security measures in place)
  • Your tour ends outside the Jewel House where you are free to explore at your leisure, or your guide will accompany you out and help you on your way.

Please note: that the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but can be subject to change and weather conditions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays you will see the changing of the Horseguards at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. 
The tour begins at 10 a.m. every day except Sunday when it begins at 9.15 a.m. 

Learn all about London's incredible past on this fun, action-packed full-day tour of Royal London. From the Gunpowder Plot at the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, a terrifying coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1066, to following the Changing of the Guard ceremony, you and the kids will be hooked all the way! 

Hear about the secret underground tunnels below Buckingham Palace, and the times when thieves and madmen were able to break in - including a 14-year-old cat burglar who was caught stealing Queen Victoria's knickers! 

Head up to Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, and learn about the legends of the lions, before a fantastic river boat ride down the Thames to Tower Bridge. See if you can spot famous London Landmarks along the way - like Shakespeare's Globe, the Shard, and St Paul's Cathedral. 

After a well-earned lunch break at St Katharine's Docks, reconvene with your guide outside Traitor's Gate! Yes, it's time for your tour of the Tower of London. An ancient fortress built by William the Conqueror, it used to have polar bears in the moat - neither the moat nor the bears have survived! 

Explore the White Tower and the Armoury, the Chapel Royal, and the prison cells... learn about the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, and the gruesome executions that took place here. See the burial place of three Queens: Anne Boleyn, Catharine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey. Meet the Beefeaters and the ravens who guard the Tower, and learn about medieval torture in the dungeons! 

Finally, hear all about the Crown Jewels, before heading into the Jewel House and be dazzled by the priceless collection of royal jewellery and regalia, including the legendary Kohinoor Diamond and King Edward's Crown. 

End your tour inside the Tower to explore more of the cells, dungeons, and medieval torture chambers at your leisure - or return to modern life with your guide! 
The Best of London in an Iconic Black Cab: Private Driving Tour
Explore the best of London by the hand of a well-informed cabbie and professional driver guide, who knows the city like the back of his hand, including the most popular attractions and many hidden gems on this panoramic sightseeing tour of London. 

On your private driving tour, you will: 

  • Enjoy hotel pick-up from any central London hotel;
  • Stop at several quintessential London must-sees, including Buckingham PalaceTrafalgar SquareHyde ParkRoyal Albert HallSt Paul’s Cathedral, and St James's Palace;
  • Catch the ‘Changing the Guard’ ceremony for tours starting at 10 am or earlier;
  • Hop back in for an easy drive to Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster;
  • Drive alongside the Thames river to the Tower of London, where true stories seem more like fiction than fact!
  • Stop for a coffee or tea along the way, if you need a pick-me-up.
Your guide will meet and greet you at your central London hotel (or preferred pickup location) and at the conclusion of your 4-hour tour, you can be dropped off at your hotel or any central location of your choice. 

On this half-day tour, your guide will stop at a minimum of 6 popular locations to tell you about the fascinating history of these iconic attractions. 

This is less of a whistle-stop tour than most of the London highlights tours and invites you to slow down, while those around you hop on and off of buses without enough time to truly appreciate the layers of history and wild stories that surround so many London icons. 

There will be plenty of opportunities throughout your tour to take those treasured photos – and if you want to take time out, your London guide knows all the best places to grab a coffee. 
007 James Bond Locations in London: Private Black Cab Tour
Delve into the world of espionage with Bond, James Bond on a private tour of London to uncover many filming locations in the city of London that you have seen in your favourite movies for over 40 years.

On your James Bond filming locations tour, you will:

  • Travel in the comfort of a private and iconic London Black Cab;
  • Relive your favourite spy flicks and their lead characters with an accredited London Driver Guide who's a 007 aficionado
  • Become a special agent of "His Majesty’s Secret Service" and explore the haunts throughout London where Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan and Craig each brought Bond to life;
  • Explore the places behind the stories in Ian Fleming’s iconic novels and the subsequent films;
  • Learn about the real-life world of the Secret Service as you tour Westminster, Whitehall, Downing St, and the National Gallery.

London is a city unlike no other in respect of its long associations with the world of espionage - the spies, double agents, traitors, heroes and villains from every continent played out their cloak-and-dagger games of cunning, deceit and treachery on the mean streets that we shall traverse. 

Like in real life, the city has played host to some incredible spy moments on the big screen, including in Bond film scenes over the past 55 years. Your 007 expert tour guide is here to take you undercover and whisk you through the film locations from ‘Dr. No’ through to ‘Spectre.’
 
James Bond fans will not only get to see those film scene sites - but also most of London's iconic landmarks, plus a special visit inside one of the world's most famous spaces, the National Gallery.
The Tower of London: Private Half-Day Tour Including Crown Jewels
Explore the UK's royal history, dating back 1000 years and discover one of London’s most recognisable icons, a former royal palace turned prison – the Tower of London

On your private Tower of London tour you will:

  • See the famous Crown Jewels,  which are still used for state occasions today; 
  • Visit the Royal Apartments and Prison Cells inside the Castle;
  • See the graffiti left by Lady Jane Grey and Sir Walter Raleigh;
  • Learn about the fate of the Princes in the Tower;
  • Hear about the imprisonment and execution of two of Henry VIII's wives: Anne Boleyn and Catharine Howard;
  • Visit the White Tower - the oldest part of the Tower complex built in 1066;
  • See the impressive armoury and learn about the Royal Mint;
  • Learn the Tower's history and transformation from working Royal Palace to royal mint, to royal prison; 
  • Hear about the moat and the polar bears that no longer exist, and medieval battle techniques;
  • Finish your tour inside the Tower, where you can continue to explore at your own leisure. 
Please note: to minimise your time waiting in a queue for the Crown Jewels, we recommend booking the morning tour, which begins as the Tower opens. 

Visit the Tower of London with your private guide, see the dazzlingly magnificent Crown Jewels, and learn about one of the world's most famous castles. For nearly 800 years the Tower was also England’s most dreaded prison, and in its time has held some of the most high-profile names in European history, including three English Queens: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey. 

Despite its grim history, the castle has always been primarily a royal palace. During the Middle Ages, it was a tradition that before the coronation ceremony of a new monarch the next king or queen would spend the night in the Tower of London in preparation for the big day. 

It was also probably the first zoo in England, housing the royal menagerie, which visitors can see wire sculptures of today. The menagerie has been empty since 1835, but there are still seven black ravens - cared for by the resident Raven Master. Legend has it that if the birds leave, the Tower will fall.

Meet the Yeoman Warders - nicknamed the Beefeaters, all of whom served in the Armed Forces with distinction. Visit the Chapel Royal and view the burial site of many of those executed in the Tower Grounds! Visit the White Tower, the armoury, the Royal Mint, walk the battlements and enter the torture chambers - a chilling experience indeed! 

Learn of the historical mysteries associated with the place,  like the Princes in the Tower. The Tower of London is brimming with stories of kingship, romance, murder, imprisonment, and brutal execution. 

From medieval fortress to the guardianship of the Crown Jewels, it remains a vibrant site, and one of England’s most loved castles. 
The Tower of London & Tower Bridge: Private Half-Day Tour
Explore two of London’s most iconic sites – the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and learn all about the last 1000 years of royal history. 

On your private half-day tour you will:

  • Enjoy a privately guided tour of the Tower of London, with an expert Blue Badge Guide;
  • Admire the dazzling Crown Jewels and learn all about their place in coronations;
  • Visit the Royal Apartments and Prison Cells inside the Castle; 
  • Learn all about the long history of the Tower of London, from royal castle to infamous prison;
  • Visit the White Tower, the battlements, and the Chapel Royal where three executed Queens are buried;
  • Hear the tragic stories of Anne Boleyn and Catharine Howard, wives of Henry VIII who were held prisoner and executed at the Tower;
  • Learn about the mysterious legend of the Princes in the Tower, and walk past Traitor's Gate;
  •  See the famous ravens of the Tower, and meet the Beefeaters in their historic uniforms;
  • Leave the Tower and walk to the Victorian Engine Rooms of Tower Bridge and learn about the history of this famed icon. 
  • Take your tickets to Tower Bridge from your guide who will direct you to and leave you at the entrance; 
  • End by walking the  42 Metre High Walkway and stand on the spectacular glass floor, where you can see the traffic and river below. 
First erected as a safe castle fortress by William the Conqueror, the Tower of London was first and foremost a royal residence. It was built as a defensive castle, with a moat, battlements, and arrow slit windows. Later it became the Royal Mint and Armoury - indeed it was a veritable marketplace. 

During the reign of Henry VIII, it became infamous as a place of imprisonment and execution: Trader's Gate became known as Traitor's Gate! This is where Anne Boleyn and Catharine Howard - the unfortunate wives of Henry VIII, Lady Jane Grey, and Sir Walter Raleigh would have entered the Tower by boat when the Thames water was higher than it is today. 

You'll hear many stories of the Tower's unlucky residents over the years - from the mysterious events surrounding the young Princes in the Tower to poor Lady Jane Grey, an innocent pawn in the power struggles of Tudor England. 

Visit the impressive White Tower, admire heavily polished suits of armour, walk the battlements, and of course gaze on the dazzlingly beautiful, priceless Crown Jewels in the Jewel House. Due to tight security measures, your guide will explain the Jewels and their historic significance outside as you enter alone - there is a moving platform and the jewels are kept behind bulletproof glass. Your guide will meet you at the exit to the Jewel House.

After you tour the Tower of London, your guide will take you to the magnificent Tower Bridge, where you will be given a tour of the Victorian engine rooms, which control the mechanism to raise the bridge, and then left with tickets to ascend to the top of the bridge at your own pace. 

There is both an elevator entrance and stairs, so you may choose how you wish to get to the top of the tower to see the spectacular views below! 
Jack The Ripper's: London's East End Private Black Cab Tour
Delve into the macabre history of Jack the Ripper and the underbelly of London’s notorious East End on this unique driving and walking tour with a professional guide and passionate ‘Ripperologist’! 

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Travel in the comfort of a private and iconic London Black Cab
  • Enjoy the personal attention of a professional Black Cab Driver, who is also a licensed tour guide and Ripper enthusiast, who will accompany you throughout the day. 
  • Trawl the crime sites of the "Whitechapel Murders" and Wapping districts, as you hear the spine-chilling story of Jack the Ripper and his victims
  • Visit the notorious pubs where many of the women were last seen before their brutal demise at the hands of Jack the Ripper – whose identity remains a mystery over a century after his barbaric crimes.
  • Walk through the once gas-lit backstreets and alleyways of the 1800s in Whitechapel.
  • Hear about the misdeeds of another despicable 19th-century predator on Fleet Street. 
  • See the haunts of the legendary Kray Twins – kings of gangland and of more recent East End folklore. 
  • Throughout your tour, you’ll see some truly iconic London sites from the Tower of London (external) to Great Scotland Yard, from Tower Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral and from Whitechapel to Fleet Street and Trafalgar Square

The urban legend of Jack the Ripper - his barbaric crimes and the mystery of his identity have exercised a morbid fascination over the police and public alike, ever since his horrific crimes were discovered in 1888. On this unique tour, you will be able to listen to one of the foremost experts in Ripperology who is also a licensed London Cabbie, as he takes you around the locations associated with the Ripper and his victims— all young women working in London's East End. 

After meeting your driver-guide, you’ll begin your tour in Whitechapel, the infamous district of East London that made headlines in the year 1888 with the brutal murders of five working girls by an unknown assassin, known for over a century as Jack the Ripper. 

You’ll visit the notorious pubs, like the Ten Bells, where the women were last seen and walk down the very streets where their bodies were first seen and caused such widespread shock, fear and horror. 

You’ll see Buck’s Row, where Mary Ann Nichols was discovered; Hanbury Street, the site of Annie Chapman’s body; Berners Row where Elizabeth Stride was found; Mitre Square scene of Catherine Eddowe’s murder, and Miller’s Court where Mary Jane Kelly was brutally attacked. 

Your guide will tell you their tragic stories and the clues found by the police, the police arrests and the many hundreds of theories put forward over the intervening years. The tour also covers many other notorious areas of the East End and sites of historic crimes and punishments from the traitors of the Middle Ages at the Tower of London to the more recent gangland criminals, the legendary Kray Twins. 

You’ll visit the underbelly of the East End: The Blind Beggar Public House, the scene of a notorious gangland murder; The Highway – famous for the Ratcliffe Highway murderer, and Wapping’s Execution Dock! 

You’ll also pass by some iconic London landmarks and monuments – including the Whitehall Bell Foundry at Spitalfields where Big Ben was made, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge and The Royal Hospital – former residence of the unfortunate ‘Elephant Man’ - made famous in the Hollywood blockbuster and Oscar-winning movie, which starred John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins. 

And finally, you’ll head toward central London and Fleet Street, known for the infamous Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd, the Knights Templar, and now for West End pubs and theatres! Your fascinating tour of the lesser-known underbelly of London ends here or at a location of your choice. 
Explore London in an Iconic Black Cab: Private Full-Day Driving Tour
Experience all that London has to offer in a day on this whistle-stop driving and walking tour of the most famous landmarks and sites that London is world-famous for, and see more of London in a day than most visitors will see in a week! 

On your private full-day tour, you will: 

  • Travel in style in a private and iconic London Black Cab;
  • Enjoy the personalised attention of your private tour guide, who is also a licensed Black Cab driver;
  • Catch the awesome ‘Changing the Guard’ ceremony at Buckingham Palace if your reservation pick-up time is 10 am or earlier. 
  • See London's most famous attractions, including 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 2 Tudor Palaces;
  • Snap photos at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Marble Arch, Kensington Palace, the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, and even... Abbey Road

London is a modern capital with an ancient past as for centuries it has occupied a central place in the rich fabric of British life and history. Your expert driver-guide will introduce you to one of the world's most multi-faceted and fascinating cities, home to the Queen, and aeons of Toyal history, not to mention Shakespeare's Globe and a thrumming West End theatre scene.  

On your private, full-day tour in a Classic Black Cab, you'll stop along the way for many photo opportunities and hear the histories of many of the most famous buildings of Britain's Capital city as well as take the opportunity to stroll and explore some of the Victorian alleys and markets such as Covent Garden in the West End and Leadenhall market in the East End (featured in Harry Potter movies). 

This comprehensive tour will include stops all over the city, including Westminster AbbeySt Paul’s Cathedral, Kensington PalaceTower of LondonTower Bridge,  and many more. 

At each place, you'll be able to capture your memories and share your amazing day on Instagram, before being dropped off at a location of your choice. 
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