Tour of the Tower of London with a Beefeater: is it worth it?

Discovering London’s Hidden Gem: A Tower of London Tour with a Beefeater

Imagine yourself in the heart of London, on the doorstep of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, about to embark on a unique Tower of London tour with a Beefeater. You’ve heard of the Tower’s dark history, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to experience it with someone who literally lives there?

As an American living in London for 11 years, I have visited the Tower five times. When I learned that a private tour of the Tower of London with a Beefeater was an option, it was a game changer. And after doing it, I absolutely think it’s an experience worth upgrading to!

Benefits of a Private Tour of the Tower of London with a Beefeater

Let’s talk about value for money. The cost of visiting the Tower of London with a private Beefeater meeting varies depending on the time of year. But this includes your entrance ticket to the Tower. A regular entry ticket costs £35.80 at the time of this publication.

Having experienced five different tours at the Tower, I can say that the private Beefeater tour offers a unique, albeit slightly different, experience compared to the standard tours.

Above and below are photos of the type of crowd that attends a standard tour of the Tower of London.

While some classic jokes and stories are repeated, the public tour seems to place more emphasis on the Tower’s bloody history, which is both gruesome and fascinating.

Although it is sometimes difficult to hear them in the giant crowd.

One of the benefits of the private tour is access to a rope-demarcated VIP area, where you can get a closer look at the king’s residence. However, you won’t actually go inside. Just to the left of our Beefeater’s shoulder is the door to the residence in the photo below.

Despite the benefits of the private tour, I still think the free public tour is also worth it. This is partly because it allows for a deeper exploration of the Tower’s darker past. However, the small group size of around 30 people makes it easier to hear and see everything. This is a significant advantage over larger and often crowded public tours.

What happens on the Beefeater tour

The adventure begins right outside the tower gates, where you will meet your guide from a private company. Your ticket will identify the meeting location.

I posted a video on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube showing my feedback on this experience, if you’d like to see footage of it.

At 8:30 a.m., your guide will begin the tour with fascinating historical information about the City of London and the Tower of London.

As you walk through the gates of the tower, you will visit a few places where the guide continues to immerse you in the history of this infamous fortress.

Even though I’ve probably passed through a particular area a hundred times, I was surprised to learn that a balcony I passed through is part of the king’s apartment, should he ever choose to stay at the Tower. It’s these intriguing little details that make the visit memorable.

Around 9:00 a.m., you will arrive at a different entrance than the one used by the general public. This is where a Beefeater will welcome you. They are members of the elite Tower Guard, officially known as the Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London.

Contrary to what some might think, this is not an early access tour. The Tower opens to the public at 9:00 a.m. So you go in with everyone else. However, the small size of your group (limited to around 30 people) and the private nature of the tour make it exclusive.

The Beefeater tour officially ends at 9:30 a.m., right next to the Crown Jewels. Even though the line is still short, I highly recommend getting there immediately, as I mentioned in my videos.

Become a Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London

One of the most fascinating parts of the private sector Beefeater Welcome Tour gets to know the Yeoman Warders themselves. This private tour focuses less on the Tower’s bloody history and more on the lives and careers of the Beefeaters. You don’t really get that close-up perspective on public tours.

To qualify as a Yeoman Warder, applicants must meet three strict criteria:

• They must have served at least 22 years in the British Army.
• This must be a former warrant officer or senior non-commissioned officer.
• They must hold the seniority and good conduct medal.

There are currently only 35 positions, making this a very exclusive role. Additionally, the guards and their families live at the Tower. This fact adds a whole new layer of intrigue to their lives.

Our guard was number 421. Since records began, there have only been 421 Beefeaters at the Tower. Their official title is Yeoman Warder, but the nickname “Beefeater” still remains shrouded in mystery, with several stories attempting to explain its origin.

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Who should book a private tour of the Tower of London?

As a Fever ambassador, my visit was free. But I really wish I had known about this option when my sister visited London for the first time last month. In a video I posted about our visit, I mentioned that we missed some key attractions, like the Crown Jewels and the Chapel, due to the overwhelming crowds.

During the private tour, I learned that the Beefeaters no longer take their groups inside the chapel, which they did as recently as 2022 when my mother visited. However, in the event of extreme weather conditions, tours are moved indoors to protect visitors from the elements. However, you can still visit the chapel on your own after the tour.

If you don’t mind spending a little more for convenience, this tour is ideal. With a maximum of 30 people, it’s much easier to see and hear everything the Beefeater says. You’ll also have a better chance of getting those perfect photos. Additionally, at the end of the visit, the tower is not too full. This gives you a head start on other areas to see at the Tower as well as time for other London attractions.

One of my comments is that the title “Tour of London with a private meeting with Beefeater” might be slightly misleading. While it’s not truly private with 30 people, it’s certainly more intimate than public tours. I always find myself scrambling for space on these.

All the Beefeaters I’ve had as guides over the years have been witty, funny and incredibly entertaining. You don’t want to miss a word of their iconic commentary, which is why this smaller, more personal tour is so valuable.

For me, this tour is a fantastic way to start a day of sightseeing in London.

Hotels

If you haven’t yet booked your hotel for your trip to London, here’s an interactive map to help you get started! It shows the hotels closest to the Tower of London.

Final Thoughts

This experience is one that I consistently recommend in my 1:1 London trip consultations and to all my friends, family and readers who are planning trips to London. Considering the cost of flights and hotels, I think it’s worth booking this experience at one of London’s most popular attractions to ensure the best possible experience. Why travel all the way here and miss the best places?

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Now that you’ve heard about visiting the Tower of London with a Beefeater, what do you think? Do you prefer the intimate setting of a private tour or do you enjoy the energy of a larger group experience? Let me know in the comments!

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