Alcester is a compact Roman and medieval market town at the confluence of the Alne and Arrow rivers in the southern Forest of Arden, surrounded by the orchard, hedgerow and parkland country of south Warwickshire. The Evesham BKA and Stratford Beekeepers both serve this corner of the county, and the surrounding landscape — the watermeadow willows of the Alne and Arrow, the old parkland limes of Ragley Hall, the orchard and field-maple hedges of the Alcester Heath and Kinwarton fringe, and the blackthorn-thick Arden lanes — gives local bees an excellent mixed season from early cherry and sallow to late ivy.
Collectors regularly attend swarms in the old churchyard and lime trees of St Nicholas Church and the High Street conservation area, along the Alne and Arrow riverside willows and watermeadow margins at Kinwarton Mill and Oversley, in the mature parkland trees and walled garden remnants of the Ragley Hall estate, and in the chimney stacks and eaves of the older Roman-street and Georgian town-centre properties.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
WR11 4UG· approx. 9 km
Visit websiteCV37 6QW· approx. 11 km
Visit websiteB91 1LG· approx. 23 km
Visit websiteAssociation data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
Early flows come from blackthorn and cherry in the Arden hedgerows and oilseed rape on the lighter soils around Southam and Shipston. Hawthorn is abundant; sycamore and field maple fill the middle of May. Lime and sweet chestnut in the parkland around Warwick, Kenilworth and Stratford produce a strong June flow. Bramble and rosebay willowherb support July, and a solid ivy flow along the ironstone villages closes a long season.
More on beekeeping in WarwickshireReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
