Pollinating London Together recently hosted an event at Bunhill Fields, beginning with lunch at the Honourable Artillery Company. Thanks to Anthony Bickmore for organising the event and hosting the lunch, which provided a fantastic introduction to the day and set the scene for exploring the site.
The day opened with Jonathan Matheson sharing the history of Bunhill Fields. The name comes from its early use as Bone Hill, once a mass grave that remained unconsecrated for many years. Nearby Houndsditch also has a macabre past, historically linked to dogs and cats that were blamed for spreading the plague and discarded into ditches.
Sarah Hudson then highlighted some of the notable figures buried at Bunhill Fields. William Blake, in particular, has three resting places: a main grave with a plaque added six years ago, and a foam replica used for filming because of its more atmospheric appearance.
The focus then shifted to the trees. Jake Tibbet explained that the site is dominated by plane and oak. London planes are hybrids of American sycamore and Oriental plane tree species and have a symbiotic relationship with a fungus, allowing them to shed small branches during drought to reduce the energy spent on photosynthesis. In recent years, some trees have begun dropping larger limbs, prompting an increase to three annual health inspections to keep the site safe.
Bunhill Fields is also a remarkable haven for bees. The United Kingdom is home to around 250 species, including a single honeybee, roughly twenty bumblebees, and a majority of solitary species. Many solitary bees nest in the ground, and while some species are common nationally, they can be rare in London. Observations at Bunhill included five species of andrenid bees. The site also supports nomad bees, a type of cuckoo bee that lays eggs in the nests of mining bees from the Andrena genus. Once the host closes the cell, the nomad larvae consume the provisions and host larva, completing their life cycle.
The UK’s smallest bee, Chelostoma campanularum, also calls Bunhill home. This species forages on only a limited range of plants and nests in holes made by wood-boring beetles in dead trees. A large dead tree behind the fenced area, usually off-limits, provides ideal nesting sites, while abundant bell flowers offer a source of food. With both nesting and foraging resources close together, Bunhill Fields is a rare urban refuge for this tiny bee.
The event highlighted how historic spaces can combine cultural heritage with ecological value. Bunhill Fields demonstrates that even in the heart of London, a site with a rich past can support diverse wildlife and provide a sanctuary for species that might otherwise struggle to find a home.
