Bee Shelter Approximately 50 Metres East Of St Mary The Virgin Hartpury, Protected bee shelter at St Mary's Church, Hartpury, England.
The bee shelter approximately 50 meters east of St. Mary the Virgin Church is a stone building with three tiers of shelving and alcoves. The structure features stone dividers and was designed to hold multiple straw skeps for beekeeping.
This structure was built around 1840 and originally stood in Nailsworth before being moved to Hartpury College in the 1960s. The relocation shows how such important buildings were preserved and transported to new locations.
The shelter shows how important beekeeping was to rural communities and how people cared for their hives in everyday life. The careful stonework reflects the value placed on this common agricultural practice.
The building is visible from the outside and easy to locate next to the church, but it sits in a protected area. Visitors should respect the church's operating times and approach respectfully when viewing this historical site.
The stonemason's marks from Paul Tuffley remain visible on the surface, showing the skilled craftsmanship of a family known for their stone work across the region. These personal touches make the shelter a direct connection to the people who built it.
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