Our Purpose: Rooted in Pollination
Discover our beekeeping journey — from the arrival of our very first hive in 2011 to our latest commitment: the creation of a rural out-apiary in the West Country.
At St. Ermin’s, we welcomed bees to our rooftop in 2011—not as a trend, but out of a genuine commitment to sustainability and ecological balance. For over a decade, we’ve nurtured our rooftop colonies by cultivating bee-friendly landscapes and putting pollination before profit—always recognising the vital role bees play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
As rooftop beekeeping has gained popularity across London, it has introduced unintended challenges. In a densely built-up city, forage is scarce. Bees struggle to find enough diverse, pesticide-free plants, and the growing number of hives intensifies competition for these limited resources. Many urban colonies are also over-harvested, leaving them without the honey reserves they need to survive the winter.
At St. Ermin’s, we do things differently. The well-being of our bees comes first. In 2025, we expanded that commitment with the creation of a rural out-apiary in the West Country. Surrounded by wildflowers, hedgerows, and open fields, it offers a richer, more sustainable environment where pollinators can truly thrive—far from the pressures of the city.
Located on the third floor of St. Ermin’s Hotel, the Bee Terrace is home to our thriving rooftop hives and a specially designed Bee & Bee Hotel, created to support solitary bees and other beneficial insects. Our gentle Buckfast bee colonies can be observed up close through full-length glass windows, allowing guests a safe and fascinating view of urban beekeeping in action.
The success of our bees is thanks in large part to the bee-friendly plantings lovingly maintained by our expert gardeners, designed to support pollinator health year-round. The hives also benefit from access to some of London’s richest green spaces, including several major parks and the flower-filled Buckingham Palace Gardens—all within a three-mile radius.
This abundance of diverse, pesticide-free forage gives our honey its uniquely complex, local flavour. Once the bees have taken all they need to survive and thrive, we’re fortunate to enjoy the delicious surplus.
Guests are invited to visit the Bee Terrace on the third floor and discover our rooftop pollinators for themselves.
St. Ermin’s out apiary is nestled in the tranquil West Country, on organic farmland near the foothills of Exmoor. Surrounded by ancient woodlands, Roman quarries, and wildflower-rich meadows, it provides a natural, pesticide-free haven where bees can truly thrive. Here, they forage freely along hedgerows and brooks, far from the noise, pollution, and pressures of city life.
The hives are housed within thoughtfully designed enclosures that prioritise bee welfare while respecting the surrounding wildlife. The focus is on pollination and colony health—not on maximising honey yields. When honey is harvested, it’s done gently in spring, never in late summer, ensuring the bees retain enough stores to survive the winter.
Only the surplus makes its way back to the hotel, where it’s featured in seasonal menus and signature cocktails.
Discover our beekeeping journey — from the arrival of our very first hive in 2011 to our latest commitment: the creation of a rural out-apiary in the West Country.