Clifton is the affluent Georgian hill suburb of Bristol, perched above the Avon Gorge with Brunel's suspension bridge and the Clifton Down immediately to the west. The Bristol BKA covers the area, and the surrounding landscape — the limestone grassland and rare-herb community of the Avon Gorge, the old walled gardens of the Georgian terraces, the Royal West of England Academy and University gardens and the rich lime trees of Clifton Down — makes Clifton one of the most botanically interesting urban bee locations in south-west England.
Collectors regularly attend swarms in the walled gardens and lime trees of the Royal York Crescent and Cornwallis conservation areas, on the limestone grassland and scrub of the Avon Gorge at Sea Walls and Clifton Down, along the Avon riverside willows and watermeadow margins at the Portway, and in the chimney stacks and eaves of the older Georgian and early-Victorian terrace properties.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
BS1 4QS· approx. 2 km
Visit websitebs313ep· approx. 13 km
Visit websiteBS32 4PG· approx. 15 km
Visit websiteAssociation data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
The early flow rides on blackthorn, cherry plum and hawthorn in Ashton Court and the Downs. The lime avenues of Clifton, Redland and central Bristol produce a classic urban June crop. Ashton Court oaks and sweet chestnut contribute; bramble blankets the Avon Gorge and the old rail corridors of the harbour. Rosebay willowherb and buddleia pick up the post-industrial brownfield; ivy on the high garden walls of Victorian terraces closes the year. Himalayan balsam along the Frome is a summer supplement.
More on beekeeping in BristolReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
