Tower of London opens morning ceremony to public for first time
Residents and visitors can attend the 08:45 opening ceremony from 10 August to 30 September 2026
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The Tower of London will open its morning opening ceremony to the public for the first time later this summer. The daily event, which begins at 08:45, will be accessible to ticket holders from 10 August to 30 September 2026. Attendees will witness the ceremonial unlocking of the Middle Tower, a tradition usually reserved for staff and military escorts.
Ticket details and restrictions
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Fifty tickets will be released each day, with a maximum of six per booking. Prices are set at £62 for adults, £33.50 for children aged five and over, and free for under-fives. Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the Tower, has not specified a separate concession rate beyond these categories.
Bookings must be made in advance. Attendees are required to arrive by 08:30 at the Middle Drawbridge entrance on the riverside wharf. The ceremony itself lasts approximately 15 minutes, after which ticket holders will gain early access to the Crown Jewels exhibition before the Tower opens to the general public.
Photography rules and early access benefits
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Photography will be permitted during the opening ceremony, but filming is prohibited. Once inside the Crown Jewels exhibition, all photography and filming are banned. The ticket includes general admission to the Tower of London, allowing visitors to explore the site after the ceremony without additional charges.
The ceremony is part of a long-standing tradition where a Yeoman Warder, accompanied by soldiers, unlocks the gates each morning. The evening counterpart, the Ceremony of the Keys, remains a separate, ticketed event with limited availability.
What happens next
Tickets for the morning opening ceremony will go on sale through the Historic Royal Palaces website. No exact date for the release of tickets has been announced. The Tower of London has not confirmed whether this will become a permanent offering or remain a limited-time event.
Questions this report answers
+How much do tickets for the Tower of London opening ceremony cost?
Adult tickets cost £62, while children aged five and over pay £33.50. Under-fives enter free. The ticket includes admission to the Tower and Crown Jewels exhibition after the ceremony.
+When does the Tower of London opening ceremony take place?
The ceremony starts at 08:45 each morning from 10 August to 30 September 2026. Attendees must arrive by 08:30 at the Middle Drawbridge entrance to gain access.
+Can I take photos during the Tower of London opening ceremony?
Photography is allowed during the opening ceremony itself, but filming is not permitted. Once inside the Crown Jewels exhibition, all photography and filming are banned.
+How many tickets are available for the Tower of London opening ceremony?
Fifty tickets are released each day, with a maximum of six tickets per booking. Tickets must be purchased in advance and include admission to the Tower and Crown Jewels.
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