Last week London Shoes was fortunate enough to get hold of a couple of tickets to a unique sort of event being held at what is probably London’s most historic site and most popular tourist attraction – a location that is immediately recognised throughout the globe.
The event was only short lived, as it was deliberately staged over a 9 day period during the annual Remembrance period.
This event was another example of an ‘immersive experience’ type event, that have popped up and have become very well received and popular in London throughout the past year or so.
So – this week’s London Shoes blog articled is all about the: –
****“POPPY FIELDS at the TOWER” ****
Between the 8th to the 16th November, across the Remembrance week period – a new ‘immersive experience’ was staged in London –entitled the ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’.
This experience was exclusive to the iconic ‘Tower of London’ – one of Britain’s best known and most popular historic locations – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the world’s top tourist attractions.
The Tower of London started life way back in 1070 when William the Conqueror decided that he needed to protect London and so built the White Tower.
During the reigns of Henry II and Edward I high walls and a moat were added to the Tower – to keep the baddies out.
Throughout its history, the Tower of London has imprisoned over 8,000 people – including the likes of Anne Boleyn / Catherine Howard (2 of Henry VIII’s 6 wives) plus Lady Jane Grey (commonly referred to the 9 Day Queen) – all 3 were executed at the Tower and are buried at the ‘Chapel Royal of St. Peter Ad Vincula’ situated inside the Tower of London’s grounds.
From 1279 right through to the 1700’s, the Royal Mint was situated within the walls of the Tower of London.
Beefeaters (proper title ‘Yeoman Warders’) have guarded and been stationed at the Tower of London since Tudor times.
The Crown Jewels have been stored securely at the Tower of London since 1661.
The Tower’s famous ravens have been resident within its walls since the 1600’s – and these days they even have their own dedicated keeper – to make sure they are kept well and behave themselves.
Within the very last batch of prisoners to be incarcerated at the Tower of London back in the early 1950’s were the notorious East London gangsters – the ‘Kray Twins’
Anyway – getting back to London Shoes visit to the ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience last week – access to this Tower event was gained from late afternoon, after it had closed to the general public.
The event comprised of hundreds of WW1 and WW2 related projections of artwork / photographs / images / documents that were displayed all over the magnificent historic buildings and walls contained within the Tower of London.
The whole experience was designed to make attendees reflect on all those that served and lost their lives in conflict – and the presentation also touches upon the desire for peace – all of which was accompanied by tasteful music / sights and sounds.
Included within the experience, was an out-of-hours walk around the Crown Jewels – although taking photos of all the crowns etc on display was not allowed.
Although there have been many commemorative events staged at the Tower throughout the past few years, particularly centred around the Remembrance period – to see the Tower used as a backdrop in this particular way, was quite unique – and from a personal perspective, I have to say that – it worked!!!
The Tower provided the perfect backdrop for the images displayed – and walking around the Tower’s grounds in total darkness certainly created a certain vibe that helped you appreciate the purpose of the event and the messages being portrayed.
All in all – quite a unique experience – well worth the £19 entrance fee. It will be interesting to see what type of experience the Tower of London will come up with next year.
Anyway – I hope the accompanying photos help bring the event to life a bit for you.
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Below is the entire gallery of photos taken to support this blog article.
The “Poppy Fields at the Tower” 2024 – immersive sound & light experience – took place at the Tower of London from 8th Nov to 16th Nov – throughout the Remembrance period.
Me – and ‘Mrs Shoes’ on the northern banks of the River Thames – waiting for the sun to set and for the ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ to begin.
The magnificent ‘Tower of London’ – just as the sun was about to set.
The sun sets over the Tower of London site
A view of The Shard from the northern banks of the River
The London skies over the Tower of London as sun sets
The entry to the ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London – with a view of Tower Bridge in the background
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
Me – & Mrs Shoes at the ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ immersive experience
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
Its an often forgotten fact that the Tower of London was once London’s first ever zoo. From the times of its very creation, foreign dignitaries visiting the Tower would often bring animals from their country, and present them as gifts to who ever was on the throne. This fact is commemorated on one of the Tower’s internal wall, where sculptures of monkeys look down on visitors passing by.
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
The ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
It is believed that Ravens have resided at the Tower of London since the reign of Charles II (1660-1685). They didn’t seem at all put out or disturbed by the people /sights & sounds of the ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience
Two of the Tower’s current Raven population – seem to be enjoying the Poppy Fields at the Tower ‘immersive experience’ going on behind them
A Poppy Fields at the Tower ‘immersive experience’ display on the White Tower – commemorating the Ravens importance to the Tower of London.
The ‘Poppy Fields of the Tower’ experience – from inside the grounds of the Tower of London
On the evening of London Shoes visit (15th Nov 2024) there was a ‘Super Moon’ up in the skies above London
A view of Tower Bridge all lit up – as seen when exiting the ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ experience at the Tower of London
A blurry Me & Mrs Shoes – exiting the excellent ‘Poppy Fields at the Tower’ immersive experience at the Tower of London
😀💙 thank you 😊
Another interesting bit of history past and present, wish I’d known the event was happening, quite a unique experience, and an important message.
Nice one
Great photos
What a great initiative Geoff
Amazing and such respect shown. Thank you London Shoes for sharing – nobody does this level of respect and commemoration, like the British.
Here in Vancouver it was awful – and it makes me so sad to think that my Mum and Dad both swerved in the RAF during WW2.
Thank you again – London Shoes
London Shoes response:-
That’s so dissapointing to hear Maureen – especially bearing in mind Canada and Canadian servicemen and women’s involvement in both World Wars🙁
If anything, I feel the awareness and levels of respect shown here, has improved considerably over the past few years, which is pleasing to see. Maybe, in an ever changing world, it’s something to do with retaining National identity – I really don’t know 🇬🇧
Thank you, Geoff. I’d never heard about this until now. If I ever get the chance, I’ll go and see it myself one of these years.