Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London
May 9th, 2026The Ceremony of the Keys traditional locking up of the Tower of London that has been taken place for 700 years. This evening event offers you late access into the Tower of London after the attraction has closed for the day for a fraction of the price of a day ticket. Whilst this event doesn’t give you the full access to the Tower that comes with day tickets, you can immerse yourself within this 700 year old tradition & see the Tower of London out of hours. The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional locking up of the Tower of London that takes place every night of the year, find out how you can get involved in this event.
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Ceremony of the Keys, (photo ©Martin Usborne)
Tower of London; Ceremony of the Keys
You’ll need to arrive in good time for this ceremony as not surprising late-comers will not be admitted – this event has only run late on one occasion and that back in World War 2. Dot on 9.30pm, you’ll be ushered into the Tower of London by an entertaining Yeoman Warder, (also known as Beefeaters), who’ll regale you with tales of the Ceremony of the Keys. Yeoman Warders are exceptional good at engaging younger members of the group whilst managing to relay context & history surrounding the ceremony.
Upon arrival, you’ll initially be asked to wait close to the entrance and advised that phones and cameras must be packed away during the ceremony. As you’re taken through to the main area where you will watch the ceremony, you’ll be asked to stand in line behind a gutter line. We suggest trying to line up directly in front of the Bloody Tower, (opposite Traitors’ Gate), so you’ll be in prime position to watch the approaching guards at the start of the ceremony. This position will also allow you be the front as you’re ushered through to see the bugle call.
Within the darkness of the Tower, it’s unnerving to find you’re one of the only visitors within the Tower of London; one of the most popular visitor attractions in London! At exactly 9.53pm, the ceremony begins from within the grounds of the Tower of London & witnessed by the lucky few. Witnessing the exchange between the Sentry & Chief Warder followed by bugle call of The Last Post, this ceremony is steeped in history & tradition that few can resist.
By 10.05pm, the ceremony had ended and you’ll have a few minutes to ask the Yeoman Warder any questions. If there is any remaining time, you’ll be free to wander around the vicinity where cameras & phones are allowed to used so a great chance to capture the moment. By 10.15pm, you’ll be ushered out as the Tower of London goes into full lock down for the night.
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Tower of London, (photo; Phil Loach)
Tower of London; How to Apply for the Ceremony of the Keys
The Ceremony of the Keys is a separate event from those accessing day entry into the Tower of London and currently priced at a very reasonable £5pp. You’ll not be surprised to learn this is a popular event and requires some planning ahead as tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys must be booked in advance.
Worth noting that tickets are released one month in advance on a rolling basis and priced at just £5pp. Tickets are released on the 1st working day of each month at 1pm, unless it is a Friday, when the release will take place the following Monday. On the actual day of release, the web page format will change with a booking link available from 1pm. This is a popular event, so to be in with a chance to book tickets, be ready to go the moment tickets become available & worth noting that tickets are limited to 6 per applicant.
To book go to Tower of London; Ceremony of the Keys.
