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tickets for the Tower's Ceremony of the Keys

tickets for the Tower's Ceremony of the Keys

Old Jan 25th, 2016, 05:53 AM
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tickets for the Tower's Ceremony of the Keys

Is there another way to get tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London besides the website? It says there are no tickets available until September 2016.

I went back in the 80s, and I know my son would love it now. I was amazed there was already not a chance of seeing it this summer, but I suppose I shouldn't have been.

I've booked tickets to Dordogne caves really early; I get my award air tickets a year ahead; I book months in advance for places I'd like to stay.

It's a planner's world.... but oh, poo.
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Old Jan 25th, 2016, 01:37 PM
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anybody?
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Old Jan 25th, 2016, 05:27 PM
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You could check with the concierge at your hotel. I don't have a clue but s/he might.
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Old Jan 25th, 2016, 05:43 PM
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according to the website you can only book on the website, there is no waiting list and e tickets are issued with your name on them, so no its not likely that a concierge can help with this. tickets are extremely limited.

so you are not likely to get tickets for your visit.
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Old Jan 25th, 2016, 05:53 PM
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No, a concierge CANNOT get people tix.

The only way to get them is through the Tower. There is no 'resale' market.
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Old Jan 25th, 2016, 06:02 PM
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I just looked and there are two days available in May and nothing else til late September. There are a lot of special events this year w/ festivities around the queen's 90th and becoming the longest reigning monarch, but it does seem strange that nothing is available. I've alway been able to get tix 2 or 3 months in advance.

But back then everything was done by post (snail mail). Now that it is on line, just makes it easier and probably many folks apply who wouldn't bother before.
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 04:09 AM
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Thanks, all. I'm bummed out, but grateful for the input.
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 04:28 AM
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"I'm bummed out"

Oh dear, talk about 2 nations divided by a common language.
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 09:29 AM
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Old Jan 26th, 2016, 02:22 PM
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Oh. Ewwwww.
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Old Jan 27th, 2016, 08:13 PM
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I have tickets for a late March date, and they said that we have to be there 30 minutes prior to the Ceremony or they will give our spots away. Perhaps you could show up and hope someone no-shows. If you really want to go, it may be worth the effort. There are places to have dinner in the vicinity, so if you plan for dinner and then the "off chance" that you make the tour, it may make for a fun evening either way.
Best of luck!
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Old Jan 27th, 2016, 08:29 PM
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Possible but I wouldn't count on it. I have attended the Ceremony several times (probably 7 or 8 over the years). I have never once seen no-shows being substituted.

Never even seen the opportunity - and there have been a handful no shows a few times - even one time 2 from my own group. I had a group of 13 and 2 shined us off

That trip was quite an effort. 7 was the limit of tix - back in the day of snail mail/international reply coupons. So I submitted a request for 7 from my address, and had my dad request 6 from his address (he wasn't in the group) . . . and we just prayed there would be 13 openings on the same night. Got all 13 -- and then two drips just decided not to show up at the Tower (they frosted the whole group again when they 'stole' one of our 3 cars one morning - thus stranding 3 people for a whole day. This was in the Cotswolds -- NOT during the London week. No one was speaking to them by the end of the trip

But I digress (no foolin' ) -- I would not count on getting in w/o a ticket, but you can try. Maybe now that it is so easy to request tickets they do get more no shows and have worked out a system. Last time I attended was in 2013.
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 05:28 AM
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Wonder if anyone has recent experience with "just showing up?"

The website says no availability until April 2018; are there that many visitors who can plan that far ahead??

I'm thankful we had one visit when the biggest headache was finding the International Reply Coupon!
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 07:47 AM
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>>are there that many visitors who can plan that far ahead??
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 08:20 AM
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Taking Janisj's suggestion, I emailed but the auto-response explains everyone is out of office for Bank Holiday.

I will post any information received.

Re-reading RaleighLaura's comment, perhaps there is a 30-minute window of opportunity?
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 08:28 AM
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Re RaleighLaura's comment- thinking about it some more: Maybe because of all the FAR in advance bookings now, and likely many more no shows, maybe they do in fact allow walk ups?

That would certainly be different than any of my previous visits but since the booking procedures changed maybe the admission policies have changed too???
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Old May 2nd, 2017, 03:24 AM
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Here's reply to my query re: a) waiting list and b) just walking up ---

Hi xxxx,

Unfortunately the ceremony is fully booked until April 2018. If someone cancels then we will release their tickets, however, we do not operate a waiting list, so you would need to monitor our website to see if any tickets become available. This is the only way to get in to the ceremony I’m afraid.

Please follow this link for the relevant web page:

http://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-londo...y-of-the-keys/

Thanks,

Nicole


So, apparently one must really plan ahead!
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