Are Poppies Still at Tower of London?

By Alice Nichols

If you have ever been to London, there’s a good chance you’ve visited the iconic Tower of London. And if you were lucky enough to be there during the fall of 2014, you would have had the privilege of experiencing one of the most significant public art installations in recent history – Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.

The Installation

This installation, created by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, consisted of 888,246 ceramic poppies filling the moat surrounding the Tower of London. Each poppy represented a British or colonial military fatality during World War I. The installation was meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the war.

The installation was so popular that it drew millions of visitors from around the world. People came to pay their respects, take photos, and even purchase one (or more) of the poppies as a memento. The installation was dismantled after Remembrance Day on November 11th, 2014.

Are They Still There

So, are the poppies still at Tower Bridge Unfortunately, no.

As previously mentioned, they were removed shortly after Remembrance Day in 2014. However, portions of the installation have been preserved and can still be seen today.

Poppies Touring Exhibition

If you missed your chance to see the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at Tower Bridge, don’t worry – there’s still a way to experience it. A touring exhibition featuring portions of the original installation has been traveling around England since 2015.

The exhibition includes two main elements: Wave and Weeping Window. Wave features several sections made up of hundreds or thousands (depending on the location) of poppies cascading down a wall. Weeping Window is made up of several arches, each filled with poppies.

Permanent Installations

While the original installation is no longer at Tower Bridge, there are still a few permanent installations featuring the ceramic poppies. The Imperial War Museum in London has a display of several hundred poppies from the original installation. The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire also has a permanent installation featuring several thousand poppies.

Conclusion

The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at Tower Bridge was an unforgettable sight and a moving tribute to those who lost their lives in World War I. While the original installation is no longer there, portions of it can still be seen through touring exhibitions and permanent installations. If you get the chance to see any part of this incredible art piece, don’t miss it.