Review: 2025 Poppies at The Tower of London
This weekend we headed to London, to see a special commemorative display of ceramic poppies installed inside the Tower of London to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The display of nearly 30,000 of the original poppies, made for the 2014 installation, ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’, returned to the Tower in May, marking the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War. We last saw them at Fort Nelson, Portsmouth, as part of the Wave installation back in 2018.
The specially commissioned installation resembles a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz. Poppies pour across the lawn overlooked by the ancient White Tower, where the blood-red flowers form a crater, with ripples flowing outwards.
On display within the Tower’s walls, the installation creates striking images, reminding us of loss through war, and of the long-lasting impact of conflict. It creates a shared space for visitors to remember and reflect on the collective sacrifice of so many in this important anniversary year.
If you are not able to head inside the Tower, you can also see a smaller display of the poppies at Traitors Gate.
The poppies are on loan from Imperial War Museums and were designed and made by the artist, Paul Cummins. The new display has been created by the designer, Tom Piper.
The poppies are in display until 11th November 2025, culminating in a moment of remembrance for Armistice Day.
There are not just the poppies to see, entry to the Tower of London lets you explore the entire castle, including a new display of the Crown Jewels, which has been brought right up to date and was brilliantly done, with engaging video displays of the jewels and royal regalia and what the items are used for.
Other things to see include the Bloody Tower, where you explore the stories of the Princes in the Tower and Sir Walter Raleigh, the White Tower, packed full of extraordinary exhibits, Traitors Tower and a memorial to those that lost their lives at the Tower.
It really is a full day out, with lots of things to see and do to please all ages.
Find out more and buy tickets at www.hrp.org.uk/tickets-across-all-the-palaces/
