2025 Poppies commemorative display to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
See a new special commemorative display of ceramic poppies installed at the heart of the Tower of London to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The display will see nearly 30,000 of the original poppies, made for the 2014 installation, ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’, return to the Tower, marking the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.
The specially commissioned installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz. Poppies will pour across the lawn overlooked by the ancient White Tower, where the blood-red flowers will form a crater, with ripples flowing outwards.
On display within the Tower’s walls, the installation will create striking images, reminding us of loss through war, and of the long-lasting impact of conflict. It will create a shared space for visitors to remember and reflect on the collective sacrifice of so many in this important anniversary year.
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.
Don't miss your chance to see this unique installation. Open from 06 May, to coincide with the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 08 May, you can visit the installation throughout the summer including VJ Day on 15 August, until 11 November, culminating in a moment of remembrance for Armistice Day.
When
06 May to 11 November 2025Ticketing information
Included in palace admission (Members go free)
Buy tickets
Image: Yeoman Warder holding a ceramic poppy in front of the White Tower. © Historic Royal Palaces/Imperial War Museums
The Tower and the Second World War
The Tower of London is home to a community of veterans today and has had military associations for centuries.
The Tower suffered heavy aerial bombardment during the Second World War in the Blitz, alongside the rest of the East End of London. One of the Tower’s Yeoman Warders, Samuel Reeves, and a resident, Lily Frances Lunn, died when the fortress took a direct hit, and several of its historic buildings were bomb-damaged in the period. At the end of the War, the fortress was floodlit, as a beacon of hope for a new beginning, but the shadow of loss hung over its VE Day festivities.
In recent years, it has been the site of two major national commemorations, marking the beginning and end of the centenary of the First World War.
With its ongoing military links and position as a national symbol of resilience, the Tower is a space for remembrance and commemoration.
About the artist and designer
Paul Cummins MBE
Paul Cummins MBE is a ceramic artist from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Paul is internationally renowned for the installation 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' at HRP Tower of London 2014.
Paul Cummins MBE
Paul was inspired to produce a ceramic poppy to honour each military life lost at the Front during the First World War. In recent years Paul has been commissioned to create large-scale installations for the Duke of Devonshire's Chatsworth House, Derby Royal Hospital, Althorp Estate, Blenheim Palace, Hardwick Hall, the Conran Shop.
Paul is represented by Halcyon Gallery, London, his most recent artworks appeared in the gallery’s 2024 group exhibition, ‘In Plain Sight’, 2024.
Tom Piper MBE
He was Associate Designer for the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2004 to 2014, for whom he has designed over 50 productions, including the award-winning Histories Cycle with director Michael Boyd. He has had an extensive national and international freelance career in theatre, exhibition and installation design. He collaborated with Paul Cummins on 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' and the subsequent 19 venue National tour of 'Weeping Window' and ‘Wave’.
Tom works regularly with Alan Farlie Architects on exhibitions including Shakespeare: Staging the World at the British Museum and Alice at the V and A. His many awards include an Olivier Award (costume design) for the Histories Cycle and a Sky South Bank Award for the original Poppies installation at the Tower of London.
Frequently asked questions
Some small elements of the installation will be visible without a ticket, but the majority of the installation will be within the Tower’s walls and requires an admission ticket.
Members do not need to book to visit the installation in the Tower.
There will be no poppies in the moat and the moat will be closed to the public. There are no separate tickets to view the poppies – the display is included in a Tower ticket.
We are not able to offer public volunteering opportunities for this installation. This is a smaller installation and will be installed over a shorter period of time.
After the installation in 2014, and a subsequent tour, the poppies were saved for the national by the Backstage Trust and Clore Duffield Foundation and became part of Imperial War Museums’ collection. They will be returned to Imperial War Museums after the display and will not be available to purchase.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate memorials to or for relatives.
The poppies are being installed within the Inner Ward of the Tower of London, which contains some very sensitive archaeology. For that reason, their installation must be managed very carefully, and we will not be able to accept any additional poppies for the display.
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