Tower of London: VIP After Hours Access & Ceremony of the Keys

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour 45 minutes

Mobile ticket

Experience the Tower of London like never before on this exclusive after-hours tour. As the city quiets and the crowds disappear, you’ll visit the Tower’s outer grounds, guided by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater), whose insider stories will breathe life into its dark past.

Walk around the towering White Tower, hear the chilling tales of the infamous Traitors' Gate, and imagine the tragic fates of those brought through it. Stand in awe of the Tower Green, once the site of notorious executions, and feel the weight of history as you approach the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula, where figures like Anne Boleyn are buried. Explore the secrets of the Bloody Tower and Bell Tower.

Lastly, witness the rare Ceremony of the Keys—a time-honored ritual that has been carried out for over 700 years to lock the Tower's gates. Watch as the Chief Warder, lantern in hand, secures the fortress, a symbolic act that marks the end of the day and preserves this living tradition steeped in royal history.

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.

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.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Tower of London

As London’s streets empty out, meet our representative outside the Tower of London—a landmark where shadows grow longer, and the air hangs heavy with centuries of secrets. Here, under the gathering cloak of night, you’ll head inside after opening hours and meet your guide: a Yeoman Warder, better known as a Beefeater, whose insider stories breathe life into the stone walls around you. With the crowds gone and the city hushed, step inside one of London’s most infamous prisons and walk in the footsteps of traitors, royals, and the condemned. This after-hours experience reveals the Tower as you’ve never seen it before—dark, quiet, and alive with whispers of the past.

15 minutes • Admission Included

Byward Tower

The Byward Tower, one of the iconic gateways to the Tower of London. This 13th-century gateway once housed watchful guards, its iron gate ready to drop and seal the fortress against intruders. Peek into hidden guard rooms and hear how its narrow, twisting staircases gave defenders the upper hand during attacks.

5 minutes • Admission Not Included

What‘s Included

Hear True Insider Stories from your Beefeater Guide

Witness the Legendary Ceremony of the Keys

Exclusive After-Hours Access to the Tower of London

Journey Through History with an English, Speaking Expert

Marvel at the Traitor's Gate, White Tower, Chapel Royal ad Vincula and more!

Hotel pick up / drop off

Crown Jewels (not open after-hours)

Gratuities (optional)

Options