Opening and closing times

Wharf closures

The Wharf will close to the public at 19:00 in the winter months.

The Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula

The chapel is a working community chapel and sometimes closes during Tower opening hours. It is used for Sunday services and occasional ceremonies.

The Chapel is usually open to visitors until 17:15 (summer hours). In poor weather it may be used to carry out Yeoman Warder tours out of the rain, and in this case, access will only be possible as part of one of these tours.

If there is an evening service or event, the chapel will not open to visitors.

• 10 December - Chapel will close at 15:00
• 14 December - Chapel will close at 16:00

Jewel House

The Crown Jewels are kept under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. Introductory films that feature in the exhibition will occasionally be closed for maintenance.  Introductory films will not play on:

• 16-20 December 2019

Visitors will be able to go straight to the Treasury upon entry to the Jewel House.

Gun salutes

Please note the Wharf will close at least an hour before the gun salutes and there will be no access to the parts of the Wharf during the set up and duration of the gun salutes. Gun salutes take place at 13:00 and consist of 62 rounds unless otherwise stated.

• Date to be announced

The Wharf will also close the evening before each gun salute (from 18.00 to 21.00) for rehearsals. 

Please note, the 13:00 Yeoman Warder Tour will be cancelled when a gun salute is taking place. They recommence at 13:30.  

Constable's Dues

During the middle ages successive kings believed it was their right to get tolls from vessels on the Thames. The Constable of the Tower of London was allowed to demand these tolls on the king's behalf. In 1381 King Richard issued a grant that required every galley passing the Tower to present 'two roundlets of wyne' to the Constable.

Date of next ceremony will be posted here.

The Ceremony can be viewed inside the Tower and is included in your admission ticket.

Future closures 2020

The Tower will open slightly later than usual at 10:00 on Thursday 16 January 2020 for staff training.  

The Tower will close early on Friday 29 May 2020.  Last admission will be at 16:00 with the buildings closing at 16:30.  The last Yeoman Warder tour will be at 14:30.  The Wharf will also close early at 17:00.

The Medieval Palace and St Thomas's Tower will be closed from 21 September 2020 for up to 3 weeks.  During this time, we will be refreshing the content and presentation for our visitors.