Tower of London Historic "Closing Ceremony" After Hours Tour

Join this exclusive tour after the crowds have left and witness the Tower's rare closing ceremony

4.96 (146) ·

Travel Flexibly

· 1.45h · England, United Kingdom

Tower of London Historic "Closing Ceremony" After Hours Tour

Two tourists taking a picture with a Tower of London Beefeater while on tour with The Tour Guy.

An image of the entrance to the Tower of London.

An image of two tourists standing with a Beefeater while on tour with The Tour Guy.

An image of a Tower of London Beefeater speaking with a group of tourists on tour with The Tour Guy.

A Tower of London Beefeater speaking with a group of tourists on tour with The Tour Guy.

A Tower of London Beefeater speaking with a group of visitors on tour with The Tour Guy.

An image of the Tower of London in the distance with the River Thames in front.

Enter the Tower of London after being closed to the general public to witness the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys. Having the Tower to yourself, the Beefeaters, or guardians of the Tower of London, lock the fortress gates in a nightly tradition dating back to the 14th century. This unique, one-hour guided tour offers you a rare glimpse into London's secrets, and it's not something to be missed!

What You Get With This Tour

Expert English speaking guide
After hours Tower of London access
Ceremony of the Keys
Traitor's Gate
Bloody Tower, White Tower, and more!
Meals
Guide gratuity
Hotel pick up

Tour Itinerary

1

Meeting point at Tower of London Shop
Your exclusive Ceremony of the Keys experience begins at the Tower Shop, directly across from the Entrance to the Tower of London
2

Tour the Tower of London
Your Beefeater guide will escort you inside the Tower of London as you begin your exclusive 1-hour after-hours tour
3

Traitor's Gate
Traitor's Gate, a historic water entrance to the Tower of London, was once used to bring prisoners, often accused of treason, into the fortress under the cover of darkness.
4

White Tower
The oldest and most iconic building within the Tower of London, the White Tower has served as a royal residence, military stronghold, and prison over its nearly 1,000-year history.
5

Chapel Royal of St Peter Ad Vincula
The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, located within the Tower of London, is the final resting place of several notable figures, including Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Thomas More, making it a poignant symbol of the Tower's dark history
6

Ceremony of the Keys
The Ceremony of the Keys is a centuries-old ritual in which the Chief Yeoman Warder locks the Tower of London’s gates for the night, symbolizing the fortress's security and marking the end of another day in its storied history
7

End outside the Tower of London
Your tour will conclude at the end of the Ceremony of the Keys, after being escorted out of the Tower of London

Additional Information

Good to know:

Accessibility: This tour is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible, please reach out in advance if you have any concerns regarding mobility on this tour.
Please Note: You will meet a representative from The Tour Guy at the start of this experience, who will lead you to the Tower's gates. From there, you’ll meet your Beefeater guide who will escort you into the Tower of London after it’s already been closed to the general public. Photos are strictly prohibited during the Ceremony of the Keys.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.

Your 1.45-hour tour includes:

Expert Beefeater guide
Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London
Witness the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys
Walking tour of the Tower’s historic grounds
Maximum group size of 25

What to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes
Camera
Weather-appropriate clothing

Customer Reviews

4.96 (146)

Leave a review

A Must-Do in London

Leslie Williamson, 17 September 2025

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.

Quiet Reflection

Bethany Morgan, 09 September 2025

The quiet moments while walking surprisingly made the history feel more personal. The ritual ceremony was an unforgettable reflective experience

Deeply Historic

Lottie Carter, 08 September 2025

Feeling the weight of history as the gates locked was powerful. Our guide did an excellent job setting the scene all evening.

Fun Facts

Finn Phillips, 08 September 2025

The guide balanced history with fun facts and humor. The ceremony was surprising in its seriousness and tradition.

Rich Narratives

Riley Mitchell, 07 September 2025

The guide shared rich and fascinating narratives about the Tower’s past. The silent nighttime setting made all the difference.

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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.

Is the Ceremony of the Keys available every night?

Yes, the Ceremony of the Keys is held every evening, but this private access tour is a rare opportunity to experience it without the usual crowds.

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 walking the grounds of the Tower of London during the 1-hour walking tour?

Yes, you will have exclusive access to the grounds during the 1-hour walking tour. Following this private tour, you will join a larger group of visitors who are there specifically to witness the Ceremony of the Keys.

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