BEES! Hampshire's Hive of History & Nature
Bees are extraordinary creatures. From buzzing gardens to golden honey, they connect us to the natural world in remarkable ways. This exhibition explores their world, how they live, work and communicate, sometimes even through dance! Discover the power of pollination and why our future depends on theirs.
At the heart of the story is local man Charles Butler of Wootton St Lawrence, a seventeenth-century vicar, musician and pioneering observer of bees. His groundbreaking 1623 book 'The Feminine Monarchie' transformed beekeeping in England, popularising the idea of the queen bee and capturing the sounds, habits and hierarchy of the hive with extraordinary insight.
Step inside a giant hive, learn about traditional and modern beekeeping, see a newly commissioned mural by fine artist Dan Wilson, and take part in hands-on activities and bee-themed games.
This exhibition has been created with the support of the Charles Butler Foundation.
