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Opening and closing times

Information on seasonal hours and planned closures

Information on seasonal hours and planned closures

Updated 25 March. In line with Public Health England guidance, we have taken the decision to close all six of our palaces and gardens until 31st May. We will be reviewing this and will keep you updated. Please read our statement for further information. Read our statement

Opening times

The Tower of London is open daily except between 24-26 December and on 01 January.

 

Summer (01 March - 31 October)

Tuesday-Saturday: 09:00-17:30
Sunday-Monday: 10:00-17:30

Last admission: 17:00

Winter (01 November - 29 February)

Tuesday-Saturday: 09:00-16:30
Sunday-Monday: 10:00-16:30

Last admission: 16:00

 

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.

 

 

 

A canon fires with visible shot, as part of the 41 round gun salute to mark the State Visit of the King of Spain, 12 July 2017

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.

  • 21 April 2020 - HM The Queen's Birthday 
  • 2 June 2020 - HM The Queen's Coronation 
  • 10 June 2020 - HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's Birthday
  • 13 June 2020 - HM The Queen's Official Birthday
  • 14 November 2020 - HRH The Prince of Wales' Birthday

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 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.

Further information

We recommend allowing at least three hours to see everything.

The Tower becomes very busy during school holidays, including half terms.

Please allow extra time during these periods, when queues may form for many parts of the Tower, particularly the Crown Jewels and the ticketing areas. Do try to get here early.

The last Yeoman Warder tour starts at 14:30 in winter, and 15:30 in summer. Please be aware that in poor weather conditions, an amended Yeoman Warder tour will be given in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula. If the Chapel is unavailable, tours may not take place.

Email: [email protected]

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