Tower of London: After-Hours Tour with Ceremony of the Keys

Every night for 700 years, without a single interruption, the Tower of London has locked its gates in the same ancient ritual. This after-hours tour is your only way in, delivering exclusive access to the fortress after the last visitors have gone and a resident Beefeater as your personal guide.

You are met outside the Tower by a friendly tour host, who guides your group to the gates as the fortress empties out for the evening. Once the public has cleared, a Yeoman Warder steps forward to welcome your group inside — one of the few people in the world who actually lives within the Tower's walls.

With no daytime crowds and no noise, the Tower takes on a completely different character after dark. By lantern light, you walk across centuries-old cobblestones past Traitors' Gate, the imposing White Tower, and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, while your Beefeater shares stories drawn from 900 years of royal power, imprisonment, and intrigue.

Then comes the moment the entire evening is built around. You take your place at the Ceremony of the Keys, just steps from the Chief Yeoman Warder, as he challenges the sentry and the bugler plays the Last Post across completely empty grounds. Public tickets for this ritual sell out within minutes; your access is included in the tour.

Note that this experience focuses on the Tower's outdoor areas and historic grounds. Interior building access is not included, and photography is not permitted during the ceremony itself, helping preserve the private and protected nature of this living tradition.

This tour is perfect for history lovers, first-time visitors to London, and anyone who wants to stand inside one of the world's most storied fortresses long after the crowds have gone.

Not suitable for

• People with mobility impairments
• Wheelchair users

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Passport or ID card
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

• Baby carriages
• Baby strollers
• Luggage or large bags
• Mobility scooters

Know before you go

• A valid government-issued ID is required for all guests. The name on your booking must match your ID exactly, or entry may be denied.
• Photography is not permitted during the Ceremony of the Keys; this rule is strictly enforced to preserve the private and protected nature of the ceremony.
• Photos courtesy of © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.