What is the Ceremony of the Keys?

Footsteps echo in the darkness.  The sentry cries out, 'Halt, who comes there?'  The Yeoman Warder replies, 'The keys.'  'Whose keys?'  'Queen Elizabeth's keys.'  'Pass then, all's well.'        

Aside from the monarch's name, this is the exact exchange that has been spoken for centuries and forms part of the traditional 'locking up' of the Tower of London.

Set amidst the mighty battlements of this ancient historic fortress, the Ceremony of the Keys is one of the oldest surviving enactments of its kind.  Although the monarch may no longer reside at the Tower, the Crown Jewels and many other invaluable objects still do, therefore its importance is still relevant today.

Important information for ticket holders

Please note, all tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys have been cancelled until further notice.

Tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys must be pre-booked in advance, online only. It becomes fully booked very quickly.

Please bring the e-ticket accessed via the link on your booking confirmation. Visitors will be admitted to the Tower under escort at 21:30 precisely. Late arrivals will not be admitted. 

The ceremony concludes at 22:05 after which all visitors are escorted to the exit. There are no toilet or refreshment facilities available.

Booking conditions

• Tickets are non-transferable and we are not able to change names on bookings under any circumstances.
• There is a maximum number of tickets that are available to any one applicant: 6 tickets from 1 April - 31 October and 12 tickets from 1 November - 31 March.
• Multiple bookings under the same name, email or address will be cancelled and will be refused entry on the night.
• We do not accept bookings by groups, schools or third parties, tour operators etc.  Any bookings will be cancelled.
• We are not able to offer a waiting list.
• Photography is not permitted during any part of the ceremony.

Has your preferred date sold out? 

• Tickets for any cancelled bookings will be released onto the booking system again. 
• There is no waiting list for this event - please check the website regularly for up-to-date availability.