Behind the calm creativity of Watts Gallery lies another kind of artistry - in summer, the quiet hum of honeybees cared for by Gillie Muir, our resident beekeeper. With over ten years of beekeeping experience and a lifelong passion for wildlife, Gillie brings conservation and craftsmanship together in every golden jar of honey we sell.
“Before bees, I worked in wildlife conservation with the Mammal Society and the Bat Conservation Trust for 12 years and served as a trustee for the Surrey Wildlife Trust for 11. That background in protecting Britain’s wildlife deeply influences my approach to beekeeping - one rooted in respect, balance, and biodiversity. It's important, for example, that the number of colonies at Watts Gallery is small and always kept below 10 to prevent competition with wild pollinators.
“My beekeeping focuses very much on keeping my bees healthy,” says Gillie, “foraging bees visiting flowers can spread disease. Healthy bees are also productive bees! Regular colony inspections in summer prevent swarming and disease and preparations for winter (starting in August!) ensure they are fit and healthy the following Spring. The honey extraction process also has a huge impact on flavour; our raw Watts honey is not pasteurised, which changes its biochemistry and destroys amino acids from pollen. Regular extractions ensure that each small batch of our honey captures the character of Watts Gallery’s local environment - the soil, flowers, hedgerows and trees in a particular season - and varies every year.”
“The honey from Watts Gallery is ‘polyfloral’ and sourced from a wide range of flowers rather than a single flower source like lime or lavender. This not only brings depth and layers of flavour to the honey, but makes for a healthier range of amino acids for the bees’ brood - as the bees work out what they need and self-medicate accordingly - rather than being confined to a single food source.
“This year, I believe the bees at Watts Gallery discovered heather probably on the gorgeous heathland at nearby Puttenham Common and I think their honey this year has a delicious background hint of heather in amongst other flavours. The reduced rainfall this summer also seemed to affect them, resulting in a smaller harvest but a richer, more intense flavour.”
“I’m delighted that proceeds from honey sales support the Gallery’s charitable and community programmes, blending art, nature, and teaching - I feel so lucky to have the Gallery, ‘Surrey’s Hidden Gem’ on our doorstep”.
“Many refer to beekeeping as a craft (though personally, I like to think my beekeeping is based more on science!), and I suspect George and Mary Watts would have supported the idea of including beekeeping in their Artists’ Village,” says Gillie.
“A jar or two of local honey makes a lovely present, and it should be viewed like a fine wine. This is a subject I feel strongly about!
There’s simply no comparison between the depth of flavour in skilfully produced, raw local honey and the sugar syrup-blended, often fraudulent ‘honey’ found in most British supermarkets. Always read the label - which often says ‘a blend of EU and non-EU honey’, i.e. could be from anywhere in the world! The reason it’s a blend is that it's harder to trace its provenance. It’s a hidden scandal that no one has really tackled yet, and I’m afraid that if it continues, it could mean the downfall of many British beekeepers who simply can’t compete on price with imported sugar syrup blends. I could go on!”
“There’s something truly special about buying local - supporting craftspeople, valuing their work, and appreciating the quality and authenticity of what they make. When you shop locally, your money stays within the community - it supports livelihoods (or at least helps cover costs!), reduces environmental impact, and keeps traditional skills alive. Every purchase from an independent maker is a small but powerful act of sustainability, keeping skills we value alive.”