Tower of London: VIP After Hours Access & Ceremony of the Keys
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
The Tower of London has locked its gates every single night for 700 years in the Ceremony of the Keys. Public tickets for this ritual sell out within minutes, making after-hours access one of London's most sought-after experiences, and this tour is your only way in.
After the last daytime visitors leave, your small group enters the fortress with a resident Beefeater, one of the few people who actually live within its walls. By lantern light, you walk past Traitors' Gate, the White Tower, and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, hearing stories drawn from nine centuries of royal power, imprisonment, and intrigue.
The evening builds to the Ceremony of the Keys itself. You stand steps from the Chief Yeoman Warder as he challenges the sentry and the bugler plays the Last Post across empty grounds. No crowds, no cameras during the ceremony, just the ritual exactly as it has been observed since the 14th century.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour focuses on the Tower of London's historic grounds and the Ceremony of the Keys. It does not include access to the Crown Jewels or entry inside the buildings.
The tour of the Tower of London grounds is exclusively for your group. However, the Ceremony of the Keys is open to other visitors and groups who have purchased tickets for the event.
Please note photography is not allowed during the Ceremony of the Keys.
This tour involves walking on uneven terrain and historic cobblestone surfaces. It is not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us in advance if you have any questions about your mobility.
Photos courtesy of © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust
We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
What To Expect
Tower of London
Your tour begins outside the Tower of London, where a friendly tour host meets your group for check-in. Once the last daytime visitors have filed out, you are guided to the gates to meet your Beefeater guide.
Tower of London
With special after-hours access, your group steps through the gates after they have closed to the public. These rare tickets hand 900 years of fortress history over to your group in near-total quiet.
What‘s Included
Exterior views of Traitors' Gate, the White Tower, and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula
Friendly tour host on arrival
Expert, English-speaking Beefeater guide
Ceremony of the Keys experience
Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London
Lantern-lit walking tour of the Tower's historic grounds
Crown Jewels (not open after-hours)
Gratuities (optional)
Interior building access
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Options
Tower of London: VIP After Hours Access & Ceremony of the Keys
Reviews
33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great and very enjoyable experience !
Tillyseattle,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience, and very enjoyable. I was very much looking forward to this, and it turned out to be a highlight. Our Yeoman Warder was Alex McDonald. He gave a great history of the tower, and explained everything with knowledge and humor. We went back 2 days later for a daytime visit and tour, and were very disappointed with that, after our Ceremony of the keys tour. You have to plan ahead to get tickets, but it was well worth it. Follow the online directions to get tickets, it’s not necessary to book through a private tour operator.
One in a lifetime experience
lindatU8156VJ,May 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a beautiful and solemn once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Key Ceremony. This has been happening every night in exactly the same way for 700 years. It begins with a background of the Tower and what roles it played in history told by a Warden of the Tower. You are then able to observe the approximately 15-20 long ceremony of locking the gates with the monarch’s keys, of course currently King Charles. Afterwards you are permitted to take pictures inside the courtyard of the Tower of London at night.
Try to do this!
stefanie s,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a magical experience being taken through the Tower of London complex after dark. Our guide was infectiously enthusiastic and a bundle of energy and information. It got a little cold so dress warm. A very memorable experience..
Great experience. ...
2jq4p6djwp,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. Interesting and entertaining. Something you typically don’t get the opportunity to see.
Worth doing!
Mike U,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great after hours glimpse into the 700 year closing history of the Tower of London. We didn’t tour any of the buildings BUT were given who-what-where-when. A great compliment to the Opening Ceremony. Really appreciated the tour was done by retired military personnel. Our Yeoman, Foxy, was fun and made history come a-live.
It was a great tour. ...
Caroline S,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great tour. Very informative and interesting. Our Beefeater guide was the best. Since it was nighttime and near the water, the wind was very cold but still enjoyed the tour.
Absolutely worthwhile
W K,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Foxy gave an intriguing and entertaining introduction to the tower’s history and the 750-year old ceremony. Highly recommend.
Tour Fit For A King
lauraaX6908IE,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing experience! Barry was a fantastic guide. His love and enthusiasm for both his job and the Tower was impressive and contagious. He presented the history with wit and humor while not glossing over the more sordid parts. It was a tour good for the family.
Amazing experience, well...
Sharon P,Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience, well worth the visit Very informative and Simon was entertaining and knowledgeable
History comes to life
U48GWjulier,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing tour with #Beefy409. Thank you for making history come to life.. One of the highlights of our time in London.
From US$147.95
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