Tower of London Opening Ceremony experience

Experience a unique and exclusive opportunity to enter the Tower of London before it opens and watch the Opening Ceremony as the gates of the Middle Tower are unlocked.

You will skip the admission queue to enter the Tower and be first in line as the Crown Jewels exhibition opens.

Only 50 tickets are available each day, so advanced online booking is advised to secure your spot!

What is the Opening Ceremony?

The Opening Ceremony is the unlocking of the gates of the fortress. Each morning, a Yeoman Warder is joined by an escort of soldiers to unlock the gates of the Middle Tower, also known as the Byward Tower.

Important information

• Ceremony start time: 08:45. Please aim to arrive by 08.30 to ensure you are not late and have your tickets ready to be scanned.

• Late arrivals will not be admitted for the Ceremony, as this disrupts the experience for other visitors. Refunds are not permitted for late arrivals. If you are late, your ticket will still provide entry to the Tower once the Ceremony has finished, but this will be through the main entrance rather than exclusively through the Middle Drawbridge entrance on the Wharf.

• Child tickets are available for children aged 5 and over and for young people aged 16-17. Children under 5 do not need a ticket. Parents/carers are requested to keep children still and quiet during the ceremony.

• Push chairs and buggies are permitted. There is a small buggy park to the left as you enter at Middle Drawbridge.

• Accessibility: the ground within the Tower is cobbled and uneven, sensible footwear is advised. There is wheelchair access to the Opening Ceremony over cobbles. Please see our Access Guide for more information on access throughout the Tower.

• Photos can be taken of the Opening Ceremony but filming is not permitted. No photography or filming is allowed in the Crown Jewels.