(800) 814 COOL Questions? Call Us Now!

Tower of London Night Tour: After Hours Access and Keys Ceremony

11 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 11 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | London, England

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 14 (0) days in advance.

1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Experience the Tower of London like never before on this exclusive after-hours tour. As the city quiets and the crowds disappear, you’ll visit the Tower’s outer grounds, guided by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater), whose insider stories will breathe life into its dark past.

Walk around the towering White Tower, hear the chilling tales of the infamous Traitors' Gate, and imagine the tragic fates of those brought through it. Stand in awe of the Tower Green, once the site of notorious executions, and feel the weight of history as you approach the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula, where figures like Anne Boleyn are buried. Explore the secrets of the Bloody Tower and Bell Tower.

Lastly, witness the rare Ceremony of the Keys—a time-honored ritual that has been carried out for over 700 years to lock the Tower's gates. Watch as the Chief Warder, lantern in hand, secures the fortress, a symbolic act that marks the end of the day and preserves this living tradition steeped in royal history.

What's Included

  • Witness the Legendary Ceremony of the Keys
  • Exclusive After-Hours Access to the Tower of London
  • Journey Through History with an English, Speaking Expert
  • Hotel pick up / drop off
  • Crown Jewels (not open after-hours)
  • Gratuities (optional)
See 2 moreSee 3 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Tower Place West
Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6DT, UK

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

London EC3N 4AB
UK

Your tour with conclude in front of the Tower of London following the ceremony of the keys.

Options & Pricing

Start Time • Daily 8:30 PM

What To Expect

Tower of London

As London’s streets empty out, meet our representative outside the Tower of London—a landmark where shadows grow longer, and the air hangs heavy with centuries of secrets. Here, under the gathering cloak of night, you’ll head inside after opening hours and meet your guide: a Yeoman Warder, better known as a Beefeater, whose insider stories breathe life into the stone walls around you.With the crowds gone and the city hushed, step inside one of London’s most infamous prisons and walk in the footsteps of traitors, royals, and the condemned. This after-hours experience reveals the Tower as you’ve never seen it before—dark, quiet, and alive with whispers of the past.
Read more

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Byward Tower

The Byward Tower, one of the iconic gateways to the Tower of London. This 13th-century gateway once housed watchful guards, its iron gate ready to drop and seal the fortress against intruders. Peek into hidden guard rooms and hear how its narrow, twisting staircases gave defenders the upper hand during attacks.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Traitors' Gate

Stand before the infamous Traitors’ Gate, where the murky waters of the Thames once delivered prisoners to their doom. Imagine the creak of oars and the soft splash of water as boats passed under its stone arch, carrying the accused—Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More, and countless others—through this foreboding entryway. The name alone sent shivers down spines; for many, it was the final gateway, marking the end of freedom and the start of their fate.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

White Tower

Next, we’ll approach the White Tower, the oldest and most imposing structure within the Tower of London. Built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, this fortress has stood through centuries of history, serving as both a royal residence and a grim prison. From the outside, you can’t help but be captivated by its immense stone walls and towering turrets, each one telling tales of power, intrigue, and the royal bloodshed that unfolded within.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tower Green

As you approach Tower Green, you step into one of the most solemn and haunting parts of the Tower of London. This quiet, grass-filled courtyard may look peaceful today, but it was once the site of some of England’s most notorious executions. Here, beneath the shadow of the White Tower, figures like Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey faced their tragic fates.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Church of St Peter ad Vincula

As you stand before the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula, feel the weight of its grim past settle around you. This chapel, steeped in tragedy, has served as the final resting place for some of history’s most ill-fated figures—still buried here today, their stories forever entwined with the Tower’s dark legacy. The name "ad Vincula," meaning "in chains'', serves as a haunting reminder of the suffering they endured within these cold stone walls—prisoners marked by betrayal, doomed to an untimely end.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bloody Tower

As you approach the Bloody Tower, its very name sends a chill through the air. This infamous structure is steeped in bloodshed, mystery, and untold secrets. Once a royal residence, it became forever linked to the tragic disappearances of the young Princes in the Tower, Edward V and his brother Richard, who vanished without a trace in 1483, sparking centuries of speculation.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Bell Tower

Once used to announce significant events, the belltower is a must see for those wanting to learn about the history of the tower of London. It was within these cold, stone walls that Thomas More, the renowned statesman and martyr, was imprisoned before his tragic execution, and the tower is believed to have housed other prisoners of note. Many believe the tower’s cold walls still echo the suffering of those who were held within.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ceremony of the Keys

Your after-hours visit concludes with a century-old tradition—the Ceremony of the Keys, an exclusive experience that few are fortunate enough to witness. For over 700 years, this ritual has been carried out each night to lock the Tower’s gates, a symbolic gesture of safeguarding the crown jewels and the fortress itself. The quiet reverence of the ceremony, with the flickering lanterns and the sound of the keys turning, will leave you with a sense of awe for a tradition that has endured through the centuries.
Read more

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Show 7 more stops

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.
  • 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.
  • Photos courtesy of © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Tower of London Night Tour: After Hours Access and Keys Ceremony?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. 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 (BST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We’re here to help.
Live Chat, Text, Call, or Email our friendly customer support with your questions.

Activity code: C-24338P134

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
11 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 11 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
11
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 14 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

VIP Tower of London: After Hours Tour & Ceremony of the Keys
Likely to Sell Out

VIP Tower of London: After Hours Tour & Ceremony of the Keys

 1 hour 40 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
US$208.26

London Best of the City Fully Customized Private Tour
Likely to Sell Out

London Best of the City Fully Customized Private Tour

 3 to 7 hours  Hotel pickup offered  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
US$264.50

Canterbury Cathedral, Hever Castle and Dover Castle Private Tour

Canterbury Cathedral, Hever Castle and Dover Castle Private Tour

New To The Site!
 12 hours  Hotel pickup offered  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
US$608.55

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Audio Guide
Likely to Sell Out

London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Audio Guide

 1 hour 45 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
US$39.22

Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum
Likely to Sell Out

Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum

 60 to 90 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
US$40.57

Cotswolds Small Group Tour from London

Cotswolds Small Group Tour from London

 10 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
US$174.45

London Rock Music Tour

London Rock Music Tour

 3 to 8 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
US$87.90

What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Witness the Legendary Ceremony of the Keys
  • Exclusive After-Hours Access to the Tower of London
  • Journey Through History with an English, Speaking Expert
  • Marvel at the Traitor's Gate, White Tower, Chapel Royal ad Vincula and more!
  • Hear True Insider Stories from your Beefeater Guide
  • Hotel pick up / drop off
  • Crown Jewels (not open after-hours)
  • Gratuities (optional)

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • 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.
  • Photos courtesy of © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Cancellation Policy

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free cancellation
100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • 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 (BST).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

City Boat Tours wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through City Boat Tours over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.