National Trust Books

A beautiful and unique guide to Britain’s bees – a perfect gift for all gardeners and nature lovers Bees are much-loved and hugely important creatures. But most of us know next to nothing about them. There are actually over 200 species in this country. They live in burrows, holes in trees and even empty snail shells. They have favourite flowers. Some even sleep curled up in the blooms. They are more fascinating, beautiful and surprising than you can imagine. Once you start to notice bees, sitting in the garden or going for a stroll will never be the same. This handy little guide is the perfect way to start the journey. It’s beautifully illustrated and has a delightful and thoughtful text by one of Britain’s leading bee experts, Dave Goulson, author of the best-selling ‘Garden Jungle’. Discover mason bees and mining bees, cuckoo bees and carder bees, even a couple of convincing bee impersonators. Learn to distinguish your white-tailed bumblebee from your buff-tailed bumblebee, your pantaloon bee from your hairy-footed flower bee.

A beautiful gift filled with celebrations and customs. A fascinating journey through Britain’s folklore, season by season. Engaging text written by a folklore expert. Includes spells and charms from Britain’s folklore and magic. Shows where you can visit rituals and events today. Specially commissioned linocut illustrations throughout. Supported by the National Trust. Season by season, this book traces the colourful events, customs and rituals of Britain’s folklore and shows where you can visit many of them today. The book is studded with spells and charms too and has beautiful original linocut illustrations throughout. The book reveals the origins and history of some of our best-known customs like April Fool’s Day, maypole dancing and wassailing, and also introduces us to many lesser-known ones around the UK, such as Beating the Buns, Sanding the Streets, Hunting the Earl of Rone and Bawming the Thorn. There are entertaining (and often perilous) sporting traditions too, from worm-charming to wife-carrying, from nettle-eating to cheese-chasing.