from The National Trust, Pembrokeshire

Colby Woodland Garden in Pembrokeshire welcomes a hive of activity this summer as the National Trust property celebrates achieving Bee Friendly status, a national accreditation for protecting pollinators.

The Welsh Government initiative is the first coordinated national scheme of its kind to help combat the decline of pollinating insects, with Colby Woodland Garden the second Trust site in Wales to receive certification, following Chirk Castle’s debut in 2018.

The certification recognises that the property is committed to providing pollinator-friendly flowers throughout the year, places for insect pollinators to live, avoiding chemicals that harm pollinators and also involving the community.

Speaking about the accolade, Colby Woodland Garden manager Steve Whitehead, said: “We’re delighted to have received Bee Friendly status for our nature-focused approach.

“Bees, along with insects such as butterflies and hoverflies, are an incredibly important part of our native wildlife. Through pollination, they help deliver for nature and maintain the diversity in our meadows and gardens, so it’s vital that we do our bit to protect them.

“Our work across the garden and wider estate has included restoring wildflower meadows, creating wildflower strips, wide field margins, scrub-woodland nesting habitats, planting native species and wildlife-rich orchards, as well as protecting existing spaces such as long grass areas and rough vegetation, hollow trees and cavities for pollinators to use.”

Visitors are invited to discover the power of pollinators this summer as the garden hosts a Busy Bees programme of events, activities and top tips to take home. From wicker bee workshops to live hive days to wildflower walks to a pollinators’ trail to honey flavoured produce in the tea-room, there’s a swarm of activities to enjoy.

Busy Bees runs daily from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 1 September; please check the website for more information and individual activity dates and times.