Poppies in the Moat at Tower Bridge

The art installation entitled ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ is currently being planted in the moat around The Tower of London, the last poppy will be planted on the 11th November.

Poppies in the Moat at Tower Bridge

marking one hundred years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in the First World War. Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies will progressively fill the Tower’s famous moat over the summer. Each poppy represents a British military fatality during the war.

The poppies will encircle the iconic landmark, creating not only a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower but also a location for personal reflection. The scale of the installation intends to reflect the magnitude of such an important centenary creating a powerful visual commemoration.

Poppies in the Moat at Tower Bridge

On my visit in mid August despite not being complete the artwork was stunning! Standing above the field of growing poppies I was able to see volunteers planting poppies under the watchful eye of Yeoman Warder Bill Callaghan.

Poppies in the Moat at Tower Bridge

I plan to return to see the almost complete installation a few days before the last poppy is planted.

Poppies in the Moat at Tower Bridge

Poppies in the Moat at Tower Bridge

  • A gallery of photos that I took when I visited The Poppies in the Moat can be viewed here.

16 Comments CherryPie on Sep 5th 2014

16 Responses to “Poppies in the Moat”

  1. ....peter:) says:

    this is such a magnificent monument to the ones who made the supreme sacrifice in the first world war…
    it seems like we have not learned anything from it yet Cherie…
    thanks for sharing this with us….peter:)

    • CherryPie says:

      I agree it seems we have not learned. But it is important to educate children about our pasts. That is the only possible chance that things may change for the better.

  2. Mark in Mayenne says:

    My take on this is more along the lines of entrenched power protecting itself with a moat filled with citizens ‘ blood. But perhaps I’m just cynical.

    • CherryPie says:

      I think the poppies in the moat are saying the same thing but expressing it in a different way. The poppies certainly remind everyone of the the lives lost. Each evening at dusk the last post is played and there is a roll-call of names (nominated by the public) of members of the commonwealth forces whose lives were lost during the war.

  3. Astrid says:

    Wow, this is amazing and so well thought of by the artist. What a great pictures you took. Love the ones with the volunteers and the Yeoman Warder. I clicked on the link, he is quite famous.
    When you see this in real this have been enormous and think in your mind, human bodies.
    That is the quantity of a major city.
    Sigh….. the world becomes more crazy every day.

    • CherryPie says:

      Yes seeing the up close and knowing each poppy represents a life and seeing the vast numbers of them had a big impact. And that is before it is complete. So many lives…

      I agree the world is crazy and for all our knowledge it doesn’t seem to get any better…

  4. james higham says:

    Are these the same ones from a few weeks back?

  5. What an amazing remembrance…it really takes one’s breath away.

  6. Oh the first time I was there, I also saw volunteers planting the poppies meticulously.
    I didn’t see any beefeaters though.

  7. Ayush says:

    great shots. loved the sea of reds and even the volunteers helping out added to the colour and the mood of the setting.

  8. J_on_tour says:

    Nice meaning and shots of both the historical and contemporary moment.