Tower of London Historic "Closing Ceremony" After Hours Tour
Walk empty, lantern-lit grounds with a Beefeater and witness the nightly locking of the gates
For 700 years, every night without interruption, the Tower of London has locked its gates through the Ceremony of the Keys. Seeing this ritual is one of the most exclusive experiences in London, and this after-hours tour is your only chance. Step into the empty fortress after closing time with a Beefeater guide who reveals tales of royal power by lantern light. Then watch the ancient locking ceremony in eerie silence. Tickets always sell out for this powerful London tradition, don’t miss out!
What You Get With This Tour
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Experience the night the Tower belongs to you
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Beefeater guide
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Exclusive after-hours entry
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Ceremony of the Keys experience
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Lantern-lit grounds walking tour
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Tower of London grounds access
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Guide tips
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Interior building access
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour starts outside the Tower of London
Meet your friendly host outside the Tower of London for check-in. Once the last daytime visitors have filed out, you'll be led to the gates, where your Beefeater steps forward to welcome the group inside. -
2
Enter the Tower of London with special after-hours tickets
Step through gates closed to the rest of the world. These rare after-hours tickets hand 900 years of fortress history over to your group, letting you experience one of London's most iconic landmarks in total quiet. -
3
Walk alongside a resident Beefeater
Your Yeoman Warder is one of the few who actually live inside the Tower walls. Listen as they share stories no guidebook contains, with the kind of insider knowledge that turns the evening into something truly personal. -
4
Experience the Tower by lantern light
Watch the fortress transform after dark as floodlights fade and lanterns throw long shadows across empty cobblestones. This atmosphere is reserved for after-hours guests, revealing a side daytime crowds will never see. -
5
Stand at the center of London's rarest ritual
Take your place at the Ceremony of the Keys, a ritual so coveted that public tickets sell out within minutes. Only a select number witness this each night, and you're now among them, steps from the Chief Yeoman Warder. -
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Witness a ceremony unbroken for 700 years
Hear the Chief Yeoman Warder challenge the sentry and stand still as the bugler plays the Last Post across the empty grounds. With no crowds, no cameras, and no daytime noise, the haunting notes carry through the fortress exactly as they did centuries ago. -
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Finish outside the Tower of London
Leave the grounds with the ceremony still echoing in your ears. You've just witnessed a ritual that most travelers will never see and walked one of London's most legendary landmarks entirely on its own terms.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Please Note: You’ll meet a tour host at the start of the experience, who will guide you to the Tower’s gates. There, you’ll be introduced to your Beefeater guide, who will lead you into the Tower of London after it has closed to the public.
Photography Policy: Photos aren’t allowed during the Ceremony of the Keys, helping keep the experience private and exclusive for those attending, and preserving a sense of mystery around what happens.
Interior Access: This experience focuses on the Tower’s outdoor areas and historic grounds, and does not include entry inside the buildings.
Accessibility: Due to uneven terrain and historic surfaces, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us in advance if you have questions or concerns about your mobility. You can also join our Private Tower of London Tour for a fully customizable experience.
Lines: This tour includes after-hours access to the Tower of London, so you can skip the longer lines that form during the day. You’ll still go through a quick security check before entry, which may involve a short wait.
Bag Policy: For quicker entry, please leave large backpacks and wheeled bags at your accommodation as they aren’t permitted inside the Tower of London. All bags will be screened at security.
Check-in: Please arrive 15 minutes early so your group can enter right on time and make the most of your visit.
Your tour includes:
Friendly tour host on arrival
Beefeater guide
Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London
Ceremony of the Keys experience
Walking tour of the Tower's historic grounds by lantern light
Exterior views of Traitors' Gate, the White Tower, and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Camera
Weather-appropriate clothing
Valid ID
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Customer Reviews
Lots of history, intelligent guide, and filled with ambience. Money well spent
The Tower of London has been one of our favorite places to visit in London, but this time we booked the after-hours tour! It was fascinating to travel around the Tower for an hour with “Billy”, learning the history by lamplight. When it was time for the Ceremony, Billy left us to join in. It turns out he is the Chief Yoeman Warder, and the one who carries on the nearly 800 year old tradition of approaching the guards with a lantern and a ring of huge brass keys (that holds every key that has been used through time to lock the gates). There was an interchange of words (we could even join in on one return) and then the gates were locked! It was amazing to be a part of history! Go on this tour, you’ll be glad you did.
The quiet moments while walking surprisingly made the history feel more personal. The ritual ceremony was an unforgettable reflective experience
Feeling the weight of history as the gates locked was powerful. Our guide did an excellent job setting the scene all evening.
The guide balanced history with fun facts and humor. The ceremony was surprising in its seriousness and tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Be sure to bring your voucher to ensure a quick check in before this exclusive experience!
What to bring?
Be sure to bring your voucher to ensure a quick check in before this exclusive experience!
How much walking is involved?
This is a walking tour with a moderate pace. You'll be walking on paved paths and grassy areas, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Can I take photos during the tour?
You are permitted to take photos during the guided tour portion, however photos are strictly prohibited during the Ceremony of the Keys.
What should I wear?
We recommend comfortable shoes, as there will be some walking. Dress for the weather—though the tour is in the evening, temperatures can vary, so layering is advised.
What happens if it rains?
The tour runs rain or shine. In case of extreme weather, we will notify you of any changes as soon as possible.
Does this tour begin after the monument is closed to the general public?
Yes! This after-hours guided tour of the Tower of London not only grants you access to the centuries old tradition of closing the Tower games, but it also allows you to enter the Tower grounds after the general public has already left for the day.
Is this this experience family friendly?
Yes, the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London is family-friendly, though it is recommended for families with older children due to the late timing and lack of facilities during the event.
Are there bathroom and refreshment facilities available?
No, there are no facilities available at the Ceremony of the Keys event, including restrooms or refreshments, as it is held entirely outside after hours.
Will we be the only group inside the Tower of London after it closes?
No, however, we will be one of only a few groups inside.
