When we discovered a bees’ nest in the grounds of Leigh House in 2014, we hadn’t really ever given these little creatures much thought.

And even as we watched a professional beekeeper remove the nest and move the swarm elsewhere, back then our focus was on the wildlife we already had at Leigh House. The established greenery in our grounds attracts a variety of animals including foxes, birds and hedgehogs, and it’s one of the things that our tenants love about being here.

But all that changed last year when one of our team became interested in bees and asked if he could introduce a hive on site. The idea of producing our very own Leigh House honey was tempting enough, but once our beekeeping venture was underway we discovered just how interesting and amazing bees are.

The Importance of Bees and the Growth of Beekeeping

Bees are now widely recognised as being vital to the environment and to food production. They pollinate many of the crops and wild plants that people and animals depend on. Without bees, farmers would struggle to grow fruits, vegetables and nuts in the same quantities, and many ecosystems would become less diverse. Bees also support the growth of flowers and trees, helping habitats remain healthy and balanced.

In the UK, beekeeping has grown steadily in recent years as more people have become aware of the importance of pollinators and the threats they face, such as habitat loss, pesticides and climate change.

Keeping bees is no longer a niche hobby, with an increasing number of people now looking after hives in gardens, allotments and rural areas, both for pleasure and interest but also as a way to support local biodiversity. Beekeeping groups and associations have expanded, with many now offering training and advice to beginners.

The Development of Bloom & Buzz

Not all bee species produce honey and not all beekeepers have bees that do so. But we liked the idea of producing our own Leigh House honey.

So, in the summer of 2025, we introduced our own honey bees to Leigh House and officially launched our Bloom & Buzz initiative.

Thanks to our colleague, the brilliant Chris Dring, we’ve been bringing nature, sustainability and a touch of sweetness to our space.

Our beehives, nestled in bushes behind our offices, are now home to hundreds of pollinators, helping local biodiversity thrive and contributing to our commitment to sustainability.

Buzzing Into Spring 2026

Our honey bees went into hibernation in October 2025. They’d worked hard all year, storing up food and preparing their hive for the colder months ahead.

2025 was a thriving year for our honey bees, and we’re excited to see them flourish even more in 2026. This month, the hive at Leigh House has been buzzing back to life! After a well-earned winter rest, our bees are emerging, ready to explore, pollinate, and begin another incredible season of growth.

With the first blossoms appearing, our busy pollinators have been hard at work and we can’t wait to harvest some fresh Leigh House honey later this season.