There is now a wildflower meadow in the middle of the City of London!

Location: Superbloom, Tower of London.

You can slide into the moat where 20 million seeds have been planted to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and enjoy this meadow which changes throughout the summer as new plants flower.

 

Above: the slide for visitors

A permanent wildflower meadow in the City of London

Superbloom is actually a new and permanent feature of the moat. The flowers which have been planted for this special event will come back year after year, creating a new habitat for pollinators in the city.

Above: the winding path through the meadow for visitors in the moat

Flowers to see

Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare) a blue flowering plant native to the UK and Europe, which attracts pollinators (contrary to its name, which is actually derived from the Greek for "cow" and Latin for "tongue" in reference to the shape of the leaves which have been compared with ox tongues)

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) bright orange flowers which resemble daisies, and flower in the Summer and Autumn. The petals and leaves are actually edible (but they don't taste as good as they look!)

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) a poppy which has long been used for its medicinal properties in treating pain, anxiety, migraines and more. Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned in the Tower in the early 1600s, during which time he grew many other medicinal plants in the Lieutenant's Garden, used to make the elixirs he is well-known for.

 

Above: different varieties of wildflower will come into bloom over the Summer, so there will be areas of interest at all times during visitation

Art in the moat

If you are visiting Superbloom, listen out for the section of the path playing a soothing soundscape by composer Erland Cooper, specially commissioned for the meadow. Take a walk through the weaved tunnel The Nest by Spencer Jenkins, and see the rest of the artwork on display.

 

Above: metal butterfly and insect sculptures by Mehrdad Tafreshi, hand crafted in brass and copper

 

Above: floral glass sculptures by Max Jacquard

Facts about the Tower of London's moat

The moat was originally dug in the 1270s, to protect this famous Tower from attack. It was filled in and covered in grass in 1845, as the unsanitary water had become a health hazard. Since then it has been used for a variety of purposes, and even as an allotment during World War II.

 Above: the moat has been transformed by wildflowers

How to get there

Where: Superbloom, Tower of London

When: until 18th September 2022

2024 update: The wildflower meadow in the Tower Moat is now open to visitors of the Tower of London. Access to the meadow is included in admission tickets from 23 May to 09 September. 

Follow us on Instagram to see more @stormflowersgarden

Visit the Historic Royal Palaces website for more information about access to the Tower Moat.