Whitchurch is a mature northern suburb of Cardiff along the ridge above the Taff valley, with the old village green, a small brook and large Victorian and Edwardian gardens still providing excellent bee habitat. The grounds of the former Whitchurch Hospital campus and the old churchyard of St Mary's give extensive access to hawthorn, lime and sycamore; the Taff gorge at Tongwynlais and the Castle Coch woodland are within a few kilometres to the north. The Cardiff, Vale and Valleys BKA covers this area.
Collectors cover swarms in the mature lime and horse chestnut trees of the old village green and St Mary's churchyard, in the large walled gardens of the Victorian villas of Penlline Road and Whitchurch Road, along the Glamorgan Canal corridor and the Taff riverside at Tongwynlais, and in the eaves of the older period properties throughout the suburb.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
CF5 6LW· approx. 9 km
CF32 8UU· approx. 26 km
BS24 7AY· approx. 28 km
Visit websiteAssociation data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
Early flows come from cherry plum and blackthorn in Bute and Roath parks. Sycamore and horse chestnut fill May; the lime collection in Bute Park is one of the largest in any UK city, giving a classic pale urban lime honey in June. Bramble is dense along the Taff Trail; rosebay willowherb flushes the former dock brownfield of Cardiff Bay. Coastal sea-lavender and samphire at Rhymney Great Wharf add a distinctive saline note; ivy on Victorian terraces closes the year.
More on beekeeping in CardiffReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
