A burst of wildflowers encircles this historic space. That space is the Moat. This Moat isn’t just any ditch. It’s a vibrant testament to history and nature intertwined.
The Moat at the Tower of London has a rich past. William the Conqueror established the Tower in 1066. The Tower has played a pivotal role in English history since then.
Originally, King Edward I extended the Moat in 1285. It was fed by the River Thames. It was 50 meters wide and very deep at high tide. The Moat served a crucial defensive purpose. It kept potential attackers at a distance. It even farmed pike for the fortress residents.
By 1843, the Moat became a health hazard. A deadly water-borne infection struck. It was believed to be caused by the putrid animal and excrementitious matter. The Duke of Wellington ordered the Moat drained. It became a dry defensive ditch.
However, the Moat’s story doesn’t end there. During the Second World War, it transformed into allotment Victory Garden. Residents grew vegetables.
In 2022, the Moat underwent a stunning transformation. As part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, it became a Superbloom. Landscape architect Andrew Grant and planting designer Nigel Dunnett collaborated. They transformed the Moat into a joyous shout out for change.
Dunnett drew inspiration from pointillism. He used pixel diagrams to create color balance and mix proportions with flower seeds.
Today, you see a permanent transition of the Moat. It is now Central London’s largest wilding project. Low willow wattle fencing keeps the exuberance at bay.
The Moat in Bloom features a diverse array of plant species. Perennials flower alongside the annuals. The moat is now home for bumble bees. Benches are placed at intervals throughout the Moat so you can take a rest.
The north side of the Moat offers views of the 20 Fenchurch Building. For Superbloom, the north moat was fitted with speakers. Musician Erland Cooper created a soundtrack called Music for Growing Flowers.
The Tower of London garden team manages the Moat. They oversee reseeding and top-ups.
Historic Royal Palaces shares information about pollinators in the Moat. This is to get a biodiverse habitat landscape based on native plant communities.
Circling the northwest Mount Legge fortification tower, one can contrast it with The Shard. The shard was built eight centuries later.
The Moat aspires to recycle rainwater. It hopes to support flowering marshes and ponds in the future.
So, the Moat is a place where history and nature meet. It offers you a beautiful, colorful, and fragrant walk. It’s a place where the past is celebrated. It is a testament to the evolving relationship between humans and the environment.