Bees are in trouble around the world, with pesticides, predators and parasites posing problems for wild colonies. Now The Great British Bee Count is underway, with the public sending in data for a massive check-up on the UK’s pollinators.
Want to get involved? London is the most densely populated bee city in Europe, and here are ten spots where you can find them going about their buzziness, with nature notes from Friends of the Earth.
St. Ermin’s Hotel
‘This hotel has 350,000 honeybees on its rooftop, and bug hotels giving shelter to solitary species.’
Natural History Museum Wildlife Garden
‘More than 3,000 species have been identified at this wildlife Eden.’
Hampstead Heath
‘The meadows here provide wild bees with a great source of food and shelter.’
Parkland Walk
‘London’s longest linear nature reserve is packed with bee-friendly plants.’
Tottenham Marshes
‘The marshes are home to an apiary where you can buy local honey and spot a variety of wild bees.’
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
‘Wildflower meadows along the River Lea provide shelter for bees and other pollinators.’
Temple Gardens
‘Hundreds of bees are attracted to the wildflower borders.’
Queen Elizabeth Roof Garden
‘A bee haven in the heart of the South Bank, with nasturtiums and lilacs.’
Kennington Park
‘With fruit trees, nectar-rich plants, herbs and flowers, it’s a south London bee oasis.’
Kew Gardens
‘Get a bee’s eye view with The Hive installation, then stroll around the wildflower meadow.’
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