Askern is a former spa town north of Doncaster, its mineral-water reputation long faded but its large lake a surviving landmark in the colliery-era settlement. The surrounding flat farmland of the Don floodplain carries oilseed rape, field beans and white clover in rotation; the lake margins and the Don riverside support willow, elder and hawthorn; and the parks and gardens of the town contribute lime in summer.
Collectors attend swarms at the lake margin vegetation and the lime trees of the former spa parks, in hedgerow hawthorn along the Doncaster Road and the Don floodplain margins, and in garden trees and outbuildings in the older colliery-era housing of the town centre.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
DN3 3AG· approx. 12 km
Visit websiteYO8 9AN· approx. 18 km
Visit websiteLS25 6HH· approx. 21 km
Visit websiteAssociation data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
The Don Valley arable belt contributes oilseed rape to the early flow. Sycamore and horse chestnut fill May in Sheffield parks — Norfolk Park, Endcliffe, Graves; the lime avenues of Broomhill and Doncaster carry June. Sheffield's western edge opens onto the Dark Peak moors, with ling heather on Stanage, Burbage and Big Moor — a crop Sheffield beekeepers migrate to regularly. Rosebay willowherb is dense on former steelworks land; ivy closes a long season in the blackened-stone suburbs.
More on beekeeping in South YorkshireReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
