Tower of London River Tour

The Tower of London River Tour combines one of London's most dramatic river approaches with a visit to one of its most storied historic sites. Approaching the Tower of London by boat along the Thames is genuinely arresting — Tower Bridge looms overhead, the ancient stone walls of the Tower rise from the riverbank, and ravens are supposedly never far away. For children who've heard the stories of kings, princes, and prisoners, arriving by river adds a layer of theater that a standard walk from the Tube station simply can't match.

The river cruise portion typically departs from Westminster Pier or another central London pier and makes its way east along the Thames, passing landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, the Shard, and HMS Belfast before arriving at the Tower. Guides provide commentary along the way, and the view from the water reveals a side of the city most visitors miss entirely. At the Tower of London, families can explore the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the Royal Armory, and hear from the famous Yeoman Warder guides — Beefeaters — whose tour of the Tower is both entertaining and surprisingly appropriate for children.

The combination of a relaxed river journey with the intensity and history of the Tower makes for an extremely full and satisfying family day. Allow at least half a day for the full experience.