I confess I have hardly read a word recently as we’ve had builders in for three months and it’s just been a round of making hot drinks, answering questions and listening to very loud tools! However, despite taking me far longer than it should, I have been able to read The Bee Spotter’s Guide by Dave Goulson and would like to thank Elinor Fewster for sending me a surprise copy. It’s my pleasure to share my review today. 

Published by the National Trust in association with Harper Collins on 12th March 2026, The Bee Spotter’s Guide is available for purchase through the links here or directly from the National Trust here. 

The Bee Spotter’s Guide

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 The 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.

My Review of The Bee Spotter’s Guide

An illustreated A-Z of bees!

Wow. What a glorious little book. I absolutely loved it.

I must comment on the excellent physical properties of The Bee Spotter’s Guide. It is perfectly sized for slipping in a pocket or rucksack on walks so that it’s easy to have to hand. It’s presented in a durable and robust cover that will withstand much handling and it is illustrated beautifully with the most wonderful watercolours by Ella Sienna. I thought the space at the bottom of each entry to record where and when each bee was spotted was inspired. This is just the way to get younger nature lovers involved. 

Each bee entry in The Bee Spotter’s Guide is presented with common and Latin names and contains details about the appearance, habitats, regions and timing of the bee’s appearance throughout the year so that there is considerable information packed into this handy guide. 

I was delighted by the accessibility of The Bee Spotter’s Guide. Country born, with an allotment and loving gardening I thought I probably knew bees. I did not. I had no idea how many kinds of bees there are and had never heard of the likes of the pantaloon bee or tawny mining bee. I loved the concept that a bee is a wasp that turned vegan! The interspersed features add to the interest too. I learnt a considerable amount here but the contents never felt patronising or obscure. Rather, The Bee Spotter’s Guide draws in the reader and makes them want to get out and discover bees. 

Without merely repeating the information in The Bee Spotter’s Guide it’s hard to express what a charming, informative and beautifully presented book this is. I recommend it as completely a gift for others but importantly as a gift for yourself. I thought it was wonderful. 

About Dave Goulson

Dave Goulson is professor of Biology at the University of Sussex. He has published more than 300 scientific articles on the ecology and conservation of bumblebees and other insects. His books include the Sunday Times bestsellers The Garden Jungle and A Sting in the Tale, which was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize and has been translated into fifteen languages. He is an Ambassador for the UK WIldlife Trusts, the National Allotment Society and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. 

For further information, follow Dave on Instagram and Bluesky.