Tower of London Ceremony of the Keys and Curfew

At 9pm a curfew bell rings out briefly from the Bell Tower every night, just less than an hour before the ancient Ceremony of the Keys begins. A Yeoman Warder (or Beefeater) starts a lantern-lit nightly inspection of the Tower of London by locking the gates until morning, accompanied by guards. All wear their traditional costumes; they are saluted by sentries at each gate as they do their rounds, and challenged to announce who they represent (currently King Charles’s Keys) by the sentry at the Bloody Tower archway. The guard present arms, and a bugler sounds the last post before they march off and the visitors are escorted out of the main gate. The custom is allegedly over 700 years old and happens every night without fail, only once on record being delayed, which was during a bombing raid in World War Two when the Tower was hit. Visitors are escorted through the Tower complex by a Yeoman Warder, and given a history of the custom and a guide to what will happen during the ceremony before it starts – and it runs like clockwork, exactly on time. Though the Sovereign doesn’t live at the Tower any more, there are still plenty of precious things to guard, like the Crown Jewels.

Helpful Hints

Admission is free but you must apply for tickets in  advance (see link below) as numbers are limited. No photography is allowed once you get inside, but if you ask nicely you can take some pics outside the secure area afterwards.

The curfew is easily audible from the paved area outside the West Gate but is very brief so be next to the Tower ready or you’ll miss it! The curfew bell hangs in the white turret visible towards the left side of the header photo, and is rung at 5.45 once the visitors have all left, and again at 9pm.

Click here for more info : https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/explore/ceremony-of-the-keys/#gs.m_r6Um4