Hartpury bee shelter was built of Cotswold stone in the mid-1800s by the stonemason, Paul Tuffley, for his house in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Its purpose was to house the coiled straw bee skeps that were used before the widespread adoption of wooden hives. For protection from the weather and cold skeps were often placed in wooden shelters or in recesses in stone walls. The Hartpury example is believed to be the only extant stone shelter in Britain. It was very nearly destroyed in 1968 when it was in the grounds of Nailsworth police station. Its removal to Hartpury Agricultural College, its restoration and siting in Hartpury churchyard has ensured that this unique structure is available for all to see.
