Kew Gardens has a stunning new structure on site this summer. It measures 17 metres in height and 40 tonnes in weight, but its significant stature is not simply based on its impressive size. The beautiful, intricate design is based on the bee hive, and it is here to help us better understand the importance that bees carry for our planet.
This Hive provides its visitors with a complete and highly enjoyable bee-related sound and visual experience. Not far from this aluminium version, there’s a real bee hive which has been fitted with vibration sensors that react to the hustle and bustle of the resident bees. This activity is fed through to the Hive structure and replicated as flashes from its 1,000 LED lights, plus bee “music”, a concert of humming bees with accompanying musicians.
The Hive at Kew Gardens, June 2016
The structure was created by Nottingham-based sculptor, Wolfgang Buttress, initially for the UK pavilion at Milan Expo in 2015. Its 170,000 individual pieces have now been reconstituted at Kew, and will be on display until November 2017.
Built on a small mound it is impossible to miss and once you go up inside, it’s impossible to know whether to look up at the intricate structure above, with its a tantalising glimpse of the sky, or down at your feet where the hexagonal cell structure is clearly visible.
Bees are an important pollinator for us humans, and for the planet as a whole. Their numbers are declining and they need our help to survive.
Today is Don’t Step on a Bee Day, so it’s a good time to learn more about this fascinating flying insect, and take a step to give them a little bit of extra help. This can be as simple as not cutting your lawn! Or maybe add something to your garden or window box that will give them a boost – lavender, ox-eye daisies, borage and ivy are just some of the beneficial plants.
The Kew Hive is thoroughly enjoyable and educational at the same time. Weather permitting, it is open the same hours as the rest of the gardens and no additional ticket is required. There is a number of associated events to provide extra information, including a pollination trail around the Gardens and talks about bee keeping and bee-related projects.
You can book tickets online to avoid the queues on a busy day. Entrance to the gardens costs £15 per adult; £34 for a 2 adult, 2 child family.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 10 July 2016
Part of My Sunday Photo
Travel with Intent 
Too late for me, but how fabulous. I love bees in the garden and grow as many bee and butterfly plants as possible.
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Fabulous! I really must get back to Kew 🙂
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This hive is an absolute must visit! You have till next November!
Though it might move north after they. I think that will be announced soon.
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I’d like to see Kew so just maybe next Spring. SO many things I’m going to do next Spring, Debs! 🙂
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I’ll accompany you if you manage to get down!
On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 2:47 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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What an offer! You’ll be jaunting somewhere 🙂 🙂
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I do have a few plans 😎
On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 2:58 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Love the structure! Your shot of the reflections on the floor are beautiful!
Hope to see you back on Sunday for SEASONS at my new blog (because I ran out of space) http://artworksfromjeshstg.wordpress.com Have a lovely weekend, friend!
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I so support the save the bee cause and I think this is a nice way to really reach out to the public about bees and the need to save them. AMazing structure! #mysundayphoto
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What an incredible structure, love the angles of your photography. #MySundayPhoto
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Thank you – glad you enjoyed them
On Mon, Jul 11, 2016 at 12:00 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Wow that is great – what an interesting feature and bees are so important to our life which a lot of people don’t realise.
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What a fantastic structure! Love your first photo, very editorial.
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Thanks for your great comment. It’s one of those places that is definitely calling me and my camera back!
On Mon, Jul 11, 2016 at 5:48 AM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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That is simply amazing!
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Many thanks Tamar
On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 10:22 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Wow. Must go to Kew! Great pics.
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Definitely worth a trip – and they do some great events. Pumpkins and Orchids are especially enjoyable
On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 6:06 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Definitely going to pay it a visit!
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Seen it myself, it is a great installation.
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That is fascinating!
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Wow – fantastic shot 🙂
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🙂 What a fascinating construction.
Thank you for sharing!
HAPPY Sunday 🙂
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How much energy and craft has gone into this. I keep meaning to visit but we’ve never got round to it
Thank you for linking up
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Definitely worth it. They have made this a great family destination and pumpkin time is one of my favourites!
On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 3:48 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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It is so beautiful and mind blowing at the same time! I would love to go and take a visit too! #MySundayPhoto
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You’ve got over a year to do it!
On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 3:33 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Thanks I will check it out! 🙂
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That is truly incredible Debbie – terrific post, thanks for sharing.
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Isn’t it gorgeous! And it has got me into reading about bees. I’ll undoubtedly be posting more about them!
On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 3:27 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Wow, that is amazing, the structure is truly something else, Clio lending a helping hand for Coombe Mill
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Yes, it’s incredible. I want to get back one evening so I can see the lights – they weren’t very visible in sunlight
On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 2:08 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Always wanted to go to Kew Gardens and never had the chance. I’m going to be in town at the end of the month, I might check it out 🙂 Is there an entry fee?
I also wrote an article about London, perhaps it might interest you ! https://aplacewelike.com/2016/05/22/london/
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wow this is extraordinary . . love it and love the fact you are also celebrating Don’t Step on a Bee day – buzz buzz!
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😁
On Sun, Jul 10, 2016 at 1:16 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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