Henley-on-Thames is a prosperous regatta town in the Chilterns AONB, set in a reach of the Thames where ancient beech woodland comes almost to the riverbank. The beech-dominant woodland of the Chilterns above Remenham, Hambleden and Nettlebed contributes a classic June honeydew flow in warm years, the riverside willows and water meadows add a complementary wetland forage, and the hedged arable of the south Oxfordshire plateau beyond Bix and Peppard provides oilseed rape, clover and field beans across the season.
Collectors in Henley regularly attend swarms in the lime and plane trees of the town centre and Hart Street, in the garden walls and hedgerows of the older residential roads towards Harpsden and Remenham, along the Thames towpath from Henley Bridge to Marsh Lock, and in the beech-woodland margins above Remenham and Hambleden.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
RG8 0QY· approx. 11 km
Visit websiteRG8 8AP· approx. 12 km
RG40 1AS· approx. 15 km
Visit websiteAssociation data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
Spring opens on blackthorn, hawthorn and cherry plum along the stone hedges of the Cotswolds fringe and the chalk lynchets of the Vale. Oilseed rape is locally significant in Cherwell and South Oxfordshire. Beech in the Chilterns contributes to a huge honeydew-flavoured June flow some years, while lime avenues fill central Oxford and the larger market towns. Bramble, rosebay willowherb and field bean carry July; ivy along the Thames valley walls and the old college gardens closes the year.
More on beekeeping in OxfordshireReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
