Flooding the moat with flowers for the Platinum Jubilee
Flooding the moat with flowers for the Platinum Jubilee
A visit to the Tower of London this summer will be even more special as we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee year of Her Majesty The Queen.
To mark the occasion, over 20 million seeds have been sown in the famous moat which will develop and morph over the course of the summer, culminating in the creation of a beautiful, new naturalistic landscape in the moat.
Designed to attract pollinators, ‘Superbloom’ will bring a wonderful natural beauty to the urban space and introduce a new biodiverse habitat for wildlife. It will celebrate the value of nature for our wellbeing.
Superbloom runs from June to September. As an evolving display, it's designed to offer visitors a changing experience depending on when they visit - moving from soft green hues in June to whites, blues, pinks and oranges throughout the height of summer and into September.
On arrival, visitors can grab a mat and slide down into the moat on our Superbloom slide and follow the path through the display. Or for a more conventional entry, there is a fully accessible visitor entrance into the moat leading you onto weaving pathways where you'll experience the sights and smells close up. The specially commissioned sculptures and sound installation will leave you feeling at home among the bees and butterflies.
The Tower’s ‘Superbloom’ is the first stage of installing a natural landscape in the moat in the heart of the City of London.
It will see the moat – dug and filled with water in the 13th century to defend the famous fortress – become a welcoming new habitat and a green haven for pollinators, insects and seed-eating birds. In the 19th century, the moat was drained and grassed-over and used as a grazing ground for Victorian livestock, and even as allotments during the Second World War.
In 1977, the moat was used to mark HM The Queen’s Silver Jubilee with a garden display. The new moat landscape will take inspiration from this long history, bringing diversity of nature back to the Tower’s urban landscape and be the setting for the Tower’s Jubilee tribute.
The scheme has been designed by Historic Royal Palaces, working with Grant Associates - Landscape Architects and Lead Design Consultant, and University of Sheffield Professor of Planting Design, Nigel Dunnett – both of whom have extensive expertise in urban horticulture and landscape design. When the ‘Superbloom’ display ends in mid September 2022, the plan is for the new natural landscape created to remain as a permanent legacy to the Platinum Jubilee.
Explore SuperbloomThere are different ticket options for visiting Superbloom and all tickets are only available to buy via the See Tickets website, our ticketing partner for this event.
Your Superbloom and Tower of London ticket will consist of two parts - the first part is for entry into the moat at your selected time and the second is for entry to the Tower of London one hour later.
Member tickets and booking
You will be invited to enter your membership number when booking. You will then have access to select member discounted tickets.
Please note:
• Member tickets are only valid when with your valid, up to date membership card, so please have both your tickets and your membership card ready to present to our staff on arrival.
• Member discount will correlate to the membership type, for example a joint membership will entitle you to 2 member tickets.
Why not grow your own display of flowers wherever you are using our specially selected Superbloom seed mix. No garden is too big or small! You can sow your seeds in your garden, a planter or a window box.
Buy Superbloom seedsBook a table with a view overlooking the iconic London skyline and the River Thames for a seated lunch or afternoon tea at The Reveller.
Alternatively, the Glass Rooms offer a dining experience like no other. With their panoramic views of the River Thames, Tower Bridge, The Shard and the Tower of London, these 12 exclusive and intimate Glass Rooms offer a unique setting for your ultimate dining experience. For one summer only, from June to September, we’ll be serving a menu inspired by our British growers and farmers all in the privacy of your own private dining space.
Book the Reveller Book the Glass RoomsFor more information about the event and for your visit including opening and closing times, prices and access information, read our FAQs.
For any questions about your booking, please see the Frequently Asked Questions and Customer Service pages.
FAQs Booking enquiriesFind out how community groups local to the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace are taking part.
Superbloom Communities ProjectVolunteers can now complete our volunteer application form and sign up for training.
To find out more, please register using the sign up form.
Get involvedLead Sponsor
Superbloom is generously supported by:
Platinum Partners, Coronation Crown
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Rothschild & Co
Schroders
Platinum Partner, State Crown
Bloomberg
Platinum Partner, Diadem
Marsh
Donors
Historic Royal Palaces, Inc
The City of London Corporation
Garfield Weston Foundation
The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
The Hiscox Foundation
and others who wish to remain anonymous
City of London Livery Companies
The Grocers' Company
The Drapers' Company
The Fishmongers' Company
The Goldsmiths' Company Charity
The Merchant Taylors' Company
The Clothworkers' Company
The Wax Chandlers’ Company
The Tallow Chandlers’ Company
The Saddlers’ Company
The Airpilots' Company
The Builders’ Merchants Company
The Actuaries' Company
The Engineers’ Company
Shop our products inspired by the almost 1000 years of history at the Tower of London.
From £9.99
Official Tower of London guidebook shows the many faces of the Tower from menagerie and jewel house to fortress and prison.
£4.99
Bring a sparkling touch to your Christmas tree with our glittering luxury hanging decoration in the shape of a peacock.
£12.99