Tower of London VIP After Hours Access and Ceremony of the Keys
Overview
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.
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
- Ceremony of the Keys experience
- Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London
- Lantern-lit walking tour of the Tower's historic grounds
- Expert, English-speaking Beefeater guide
- Crown Jewels (not open after-hours)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Interior building access
Meeting Location
Tower Place West
50 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6DT, UK
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
London EC3N 4AB
UK
Your tour will conclude in front of the Tower of London following the ceremony of the keys.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Tower of London
15 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Tower of London
10 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Traitors' Gate
15 minutes Admission Ticket Included
White Tower
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Church of St Peter ad Vincula
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Ceremony of the Keys
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Tower of London
5 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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.
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Tower of London VIP After Hours Access and Ceremony of the Keys?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-24338P134
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 39 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
- Exterior views of Traitors' Gate, the White Tower, and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula.
- Friendly tour host on arrival.
- Ceremony of the Keys experience.
- Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London.
- Lantern-lit walking tour of the Tower's historic grounds.
- Expert, English-speaking Beefeater guide.
- Crown Jewels (not open after-hours).
- Gratuities (optional).
- Interior building access.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Tower of London VIP After Hours Access and Ceremony of the Keys is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Tower of London VIP After Hours Access and Ceremony of the Keys will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Exterior views of Traitors' Gate, the White Tower, and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula
- Friendly tour host on arrival
- Ceremony of the Keys experience
- Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London
- Lantern-lit walking tour of the Tower's historic grounds
- Expert, English-speaking Beefeater guide
- Crown Jewels (not open after-hours)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Interior building access
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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.
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
