The Tower of London's moat has been filled with over 20 million seeds that have erupted into bloom and colour this summer. Called "Superbloom", the wildflowers celebrate the Platinum Jubilee year for the Queen and have been planted to attract bees and other insects. The planting mimics the popular Poppies at the Tower of London installation in 2014. Areas of the moat feature a soundscape to listen to while walking around, and there are sculptures commissioned for the attraction, such as "The Queen's Garden". The Queen's Garden is designed to be viewed from above and is inspired by the 1953 coronation crown; it can be seen in the photograph below.
As these are real wildflowers, we are at mercy of the weather and seasonal changes. I had actually booked one of the first days of Superbloom at the beginning of June during the Platinum Jubilee weekend, but the poor weather conditions this spring meant that the plants did not grow and bloom until later. Now, we've had exceptionally warm conditions, so this has given a shorter blooming season for some varieties of flower. As I had booked an early June session, I was allowed to re-book, so I opted for mid-July during the heatwave but just after the record-breaking two days of high temperatures. Visiting after this heatwave meant that a lot of the plants were over their best, sadly, and it very much looks like August.
Superbloom has not attracted the same level of popularity as the poppies in the moat, so visitors do not need to book for the viewing paths around the top of the moat. Tickets must be purchased for the walk around the moat, and it's possible to book during the day.
One of the attractions was a slide from the top of the moat into the flower-filled moat, but due to the hot weather conditions, the slide was closed.
I admired the butterflies and bees, which were everywhere I looked amongst the flowers. While walking through, a soundscape could be enjoyed, and other pathways winded around with planting and sculpture.
Some of the flowers and combinations were filled with gorgeous colour.
After walking around the moat, I had a quick walk up the pathway to look down on it. I enjoyed this natural installation to "wild" the Tower of London moat with colour and insects. Visitors can enjoy the blooms until the later part of August.
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