Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London: The World's Oldest Military Ritual
For over 700 years, every single night at precisely 9:52 PM, an ancient ceremony has taken place at the Tower of London. The Ceremony of the Keys is the oldest continuous military ceremony in the world, and remarkably, it has only been disrupted once—during the Blitz of World War II.
If you're planning a visit to the Tower of London, witnessing this historic ritual is an unforgettable experience that takes you back through centuries of British tradition. Here's everything you need to know about attending the Ceremony of the Keys.
What Is the Ceremony of the Keys?
The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional ritual of locking up the Tower of London for the night. It's not just a simple turning of locks—this is a carefully choreographed military ceremony that has been performed in essentially the same way for over 700 years.
Each evening, the Chief Yeoman Warder (a Beefeater), dressed in his distinctive red Tudor watchcoat and bonnet, ceremonially locks the Tower's gates while being escorted by armed guards. The ceremony features the iconic challenge and response that has echoed through the Tower for centuries:
Sentry: "Halt, who comes there?"
Chief Yeoman Warder: "The Keys."
Sentry: "Whose keys?"
Chief Yeoman Warder: "King Charles' keys."
Sentry: "Pass then, all's well."
The ceremony concludes with the symbolic presentation of the keys and a proclamation of loyalty to the reigning monarch.
Why Is the Ceremony Still Performed Today?
Although the monarch no longer resides at the Tower of London, the Crown Jewels and many other invaluable objects still do. This ancient fortress continues to house treasures worth billions, making the nightly locking ceremony as relevant today as it was centuries ago.
Set amidst the mighty battlements of this historic fortress, the Ceremony of the Keys is one of the oldest surviving enactments of its kind.
The History Behind the Ceremony
Origins Dating Back 700+ Years
The exact origins of the Ceremony of the Keys are somewhat mysterious, but historians believe it began during the Middle Ages, possibly as early as the 14th century. According to tradition, King Edward III once arrived at the Tower unannounced and walked in completely unchallenged. Outraged by this security lapse, he imprisoned the Constable of the Tower and decreed that the castle gates must be locked at sunset every evening.
Since then, the ceremony has taken place every single night—through plague, fire, war, and even the Blitz. Learn more about the fascinating Tower of London history.
The Only Interruption in 700 Years
The ceremony's perfect record was disrupted just once: on December 29, 1940, during World War II, a German bomb fell on the Tower of London. The blast knocked the Chief Yeoman Warder off his feet, but he quickly got up, dusted himself off, and completed the ceremony with only a slight delay. He later apologized to King George VI for the disruption, to which the King reportedly replied that the circumstances were understandable.
A Living Tradition That Evolves
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, the ancient words of the ceremony were updated. Where for 70 years the Chief Yeoman Warder declared "Queen Elizabeth's keys," the ceremony now proclaims "King Charles' keys"—demonstrating how this living tradition evolves with the monarchy while maintaining its centuries-old structure.
Modern Format Established by the Duke of Wellington
While the ceremony has medieval origins, its current precise format dates to 1826, when the Duke of Wellington served as Constable of the Tower. He ordered that the ceremony should take place at exactly 10:00 PM rather than the vague "sunset," ensuring all soldiers were inside the Tower walls before the gates were locked.
What Happens During the Ceremony?
The Ceremony of the Keys follows a precise script that has remained essentially unchanged for centuries. Here's what you'll witness:
9:52 PM - The Ceremony Begins
Footsteps echo in the darkness. At exactly 9:52 PM, the Chief Yeoman Warder emerges from the Byward Tower carrying a candle lantern and the King's Keys. He meets with the Escort to the Keys—armed members of the King's Guard who will accompany him during the ceremony.
The Gate Locking
The Chief Yeoman Warder and his armed escort proceed to lock the outer gate, followed by the massive oak gates between the Middle Tower and Byward Tower. They then walk along Water Lane past the Wakefield Tower toward the Bloody Tower.
The Challenge
As they pass through the archway of the Bloody Tower, a sentry on duty challenges them with the iconic exchange. This dialogue, aside from the monarch's name, has remained unchanged for centuries.
The Final Proclamation
The Chief Yeoman Warder then raises his Tudor bonnet and proclaims: "God save King Charles!" to which the guard and assembled Yeoman Warders respond: "Amen!" A bugler then sounds the Last Post, marking the official end of the day. The ceremony concludes at exactly 10:05 PM (22:05).
Two Ways to Experience the Ceremony of the Keys
There are two distinct ways to witness this historic ceremony, each offering a very different experience and level of engagement:
Option 1: Standard Ceremony Tickets (£5)
Historic Royal Palaces offers basic access tickets for just £5 per person.
IMPORTANT: This ticket provides MINIMAL TOUR EXPERIENCE. You will receive only a brief welcome and introduction from a Yeoman Warder (approximately 10-15 minutes), then watch the ceremony, and leave immediately after. You will NOT enter any Tower buildings, see the Crown Jewels, or get an in-depth guided tour. Total time: approximately 45-60 minutes.
What's Included
- • Entry through locked gates at 9:30 PM
- • Brief welcome and check-in by Yeoman Warder
- • Short informational briefing (10-15 minutes)
- • Standing attendance for the ceremony (9:52-10:05 PM)
- • Brief Q&A opportunity after ceremony (10-15 minutes)
- • Exit around 10:15 PM
What's NOT Included
- • No in-depth guided tour (just a brief intro)
- • No access to Tower buildings or interiors
- • No Crown Jewels viewing
- • No toilet or refreshment facilities
- • Limited historical commentary
- • Large group size (40-80+ people)
Booking Details for £5 Tickets
- • Tickets released monthly by Historic Royal Palaces
- • Release schedule: First working day of each month at 4:00 PM (London time)
- • Released for the following month (e.g., March 1st releases April dates)
- • Exception: If first working day is Friday, released the following Monday
- • Tickets sell out within 10 minutes - most dates gone within 2 hours
- • Maximum 6 tickets per booking
- • Must be pre-booked online through Historic Royal Palaces website
- • No waiting list available
Pro Tips from Visitors
- • Get online 30 minutes early on multiple devices (phone, laptop, tablet)
- • Have your dates ready in advance - no time to think once booking opens
- • Keep refreshing shortly before 4:00 PM to enter the queue
- • First 10 minutes are critical - hesitate and you miss out
- • Arrive by 9:15 PM (15 minutes early) - gates lock precisely at 9:30 PM
Option 2: VIP After-Hours Tour with Ceremony (starting from around £109)
For a comprehensive, intimate experience with extensive historical context, consider a VIP after-hours tour that includes a full Yeoman Warder-guided experience plus the Ceremony of the Keys.
IMPORTANT: This is an EXTERIOR grounds tour only. You will NOT enter any Tower buildings or see the Crown Jewels (they are closed after hours). However, unlike the £5 ticket, this includes a FULL 1+ HOUR private guided tour with a Yeoman Warder covering the Tower's exterior spaces, courtyards, and history in detail, followed by the Ceremony of the Keys.
What's Included
- • Private 1+ hour Yeoman Warder-guided tour of Tower exterior grounds
- • Small group experience (typically 15-25 people)
- • Exclusive after-hours entry before other visitors
- • Detailed historical tales and insights from an authentic Beefeater
- • Extensive photo opportunities in the empty Tower grounds
- • Guaranteed Ceremony of the Keys access
- • Better viewing position for the ceremony
- • English-speaking expert guide throughout
- • More intimate, personalized experience
What's NOT Included
- • Crown Jewels access (closed by this time)
- • Interior building access (tour is exterior grounds only)
- • Hotel pickup/drop-off
- • Gratuities
Important Availability Note: VIP tours are NOT available every day. These special after-hours experiences typically run only on select dates throughout the month. Availability is limited, so book well in advance—tours often sell out 2-3 months ahead.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | £5 Ticket | VIP (~£109+) |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Experience | 10-15 min brief intro | 1+ hour comprehensive tour |
| Group Size | 40-80+ people | 15-25 people |
| Ceremony Viewing | Standard position | Priority positioning |
| Historical Stories | Basic overview | Deep dive with expert |
| Total Duration | 45-60 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Booking Difficulty | Extremely difficult (sells out in minutes) | Easy to book |
| Photo Opportunities | Limited time | Extensive time in empty grounds |
| Atmosphere | Crowded | Intimate & exclusive |
| Q&A with Yeoman Warder | Brief at end only | Throughout entire tour |
| Rating | Good value for budget | Consistently 5-star rated |
Which Option Should You Choose?
Choose the £5 Ticket If:
- You're on a tight budget
- You just want to see the ceremony itself
- You're comfortable with minimal context
- You can handle the booking frenzy
- You're able to stand for 45-60 minutes
What Actually Happens (VIP Tour)
Arrive at West Gate meeting point
Meet your Yeoman Warder guide and small group (15-25 people)
Full guided tour of Tower exterior including:
- Byward Tower entrance and its history
- Traitor's Gate - where prisoners arrived by boat
- White Tower exterior - oldest part of fortress
- Tower Green - historic execution site
- Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula (exterior) - burial place of Anne Boleyn
- Bloody Tower - where the Princes in the Tower disappeared
- Bell Tower - where Thomas More was imprisoned
- Fascinating stories about prisoners, Tower ravens, and more
Position for ceremony viewing with priority spots
Watch the Ceremony of the Keys from optimal viewing position
Final Q&A and departure
Practical Tips for Attending
What to Wear
- • Comfortable, warm layers (it gets cold after dark)
- • Comfortable shoes for standing and walking on cobblestones
- • Waterproof jacket (London weather is unpredictable)
- • No special dress code required
Getting There
- • Nearest tube: Tower Hill (Circle & District lines)
- • Meet at West Gate (not main entrance)
- • Allow extra time - late arrivals refused entry
- • Learn more about how to get to the Tower
Important Restrictions
- • Photography NOT permitted during ceremony
- • No food or drinks allowed
- • Named ticket holder must be present
- • Late arrivals refused entry - no exceptions
Best Time to Visit
- • Available year-round (except Dec 24-26)
- • Winter months offer darker, more atmospheric experience
- • Summer months are most popular - book further ahead
- • Check best time to visit for more tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the Crown Jewels during the Ceremony of the Keys?
No. The Crown Jewels are not accessible during the evening ceremony. If you want to see them, you'll need to purchase separate daytime Tower of London tickets.
Is the ceremony suitable for children?
Yes, children are welcome, but keep in mind the late timing (9:30-10:15 PM) and the requirement to stand for extended periods. Children under 5 are free but still need a ticket.
What happens if it rains?
The ceremony takes place rain or shine. There's no covered shelter, so bring appropriate waterproof clothing. The ceremony has only been cancelled once in 700 years - a little rain won't stop it!
Can I take photos?
Photography is permitted before and after the ceremony, but NOT during the ceremony itself. VIP tour guests get more time for photos in the empty Tower grounds before the ceremony begins.
Is there wheelchair access?
Limited. The Tower has many uneven surfaces and stairs. Contact the venue in advance to discuss accessibility needs and the best viewing options.