Opening and closing times

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.

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.

• 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.

Closures in 2020

Please note that due to social distancing guidelines, parts of the Tower of London sadly need to remain closed for now. Due to the nature of the building, not all areas are able to be accessed in accordance with the required social distancing guidelines. We hope to re-open them as soon as it's safe to do so.