from
$167
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
What's included
Experience the night the Tower belongs to you
Beefeater guide
Exclusive after-hours entry
Ceremony of the Keys experience
Lantern-lit grounds walking tour
Tower of London grounds access
Guide tips
Interior building access
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Fri, 18 Sep 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
Important Details
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
See what people are saying
4.96
152 Ratings
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History comes to life
ELLEN G.
August 07, 2026
We had a wonderful tour by YW Lee Fox. He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and made the past come alive. What a special experience. I highly recommend!
Special experience!
Avni K.
August 07, 2026
This tour is worth every penny! We were only one of 15 people in our group. Our Yeoman Warder gave such an excellent tour with detailed stories of different areas of the Tower of london. We then had an unobstructed View the ceremony of the keys. Highly recommend this tour to anybody!
Judith M.
July 28, 2026
Unique experience, highly recommend.
Ellen T.
July 24, 2026
It is such a special experience to get a guided tour of the Tower after hours, especially on a beautiful summer night. Great stories from the Yeoman, no crowds. I didn’t miss going in the buildings because it is so nice to avoid the crowds. The key ceremony is quick but really interesting and I love the tradition and history.
Highlight of our entire trip
Jeff R.
June 21, 2026
We spent two weeks seeing the best sights in the UK and this was by far the highlight. This history, the ceremony, and an amazing guide made it the perfect capstone to our trip. There were many amazing sights, especially in London, but this is the only one I would label as an absolute must see. Nothing else came close.
Wonderful
Charlane B.
January 04, 2026
Lots of history, intelligent guide, and filled with ambience. Money well spent
A Must-Do in London
Leslie W.
September 17, 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 M.
September 09, 2025
The quiet moments while walking surprisingly made the history feel more personal. The ritual ceremony was an unforgettable reflective experience
Deeply Historic
Lottie C.
September 08, 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 P.
September 08, 2025
The guide balanced history with fun facts and humor. The ceremony was surprising in its seriousness and tradition.
Rich Narratives
Riley M.
September 07, 2025
The guide shared rich and fascinating narratives about the Tower’s past. The silent nighttime setting made all the difference.
Fascinating Evening
Esme W.
September 06, 2025
History came alive during the evening tour. The guide was fantastic, and the ceremony was a breathtaking way to end the night.
Engaging Experience
Harrison M.
September 05, 2025
Every moment was engaging, from the walk to the ceremony. The guide mixed humor and history brilliantly. A very special evening.
Holly C.
September 04, 2025
Beautiful Tradition
Theo P.
September 02, 2025
The centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys is a moving tradition. The quiet Tower grounds at night made it all feel deeply historic and special.
Small Group
Pippa E.
September 02, 2025
The small group made the night feel personal and exclusive. Our Beefeater guide shared stories with warmth and insight. Loved every minute.
Intimate Moments
Maisie W.
September 01, 2025
With just a small group, we had genuine moments to ask questions and engage deeply. The historic lock-up ceremony was a powerful conclusion.
Joshua M.
September 01, 2025
Archer A.
September 01, 2025
Magical Tradition
Millie C.
August 31, 2025
The whole experience felt magical, especially the centuries-old tradition of locking up the Tower. Well worth the evening.
Lifetime Memory
Leo G.
August 31, 2025
The beautiful Tower lit up at night, the expert guide, and the moving closing ceremony made an unforgettable night.
Cultural Gem
Amelia B.
August 30, 2025
This tour is a cultural gem that brings history to life. The tradition of locking the Tower is astonishing.
Fascinating Ritual
Alfie B.
August 30, 2025
Seeing history still in practice firsthand was fascinating. The Beefeater's warmth and knowledge made the evening extra special.
Piper H.
August 30, 2025
Elisa C.
August 29, 2025