• Swindon & Wiltshire Eco
• Tuesday December 2 2025

Rail route is now a bee-line following nature initiative

A quiet corner of Trowbridge Railway Station has been transformed into a vibrant celebration of pollinators, thanks to a collaboration between the Bee Friendly Trust, TransWilts, and Great Western Railway.

GWR has been working to create bee-friendly spaces across the rail network with the Bee Friendly Trust, and as the Community Rail Partnership responsible for Trowbridge Station, TransWilts, joined forces with the project that has seen two self-watering planters installed at the station, each filled with pollen-rich plants chosen specifically to support local bee populations including lavender, rosemary and ceanothus.

To complement the new greenery, Swindon-based artist Sarah Harris, of Murals by Sarah, was commissioned to create a striking mural behind the planters.

The bold, large-scale design incorporates intricate hand-painted details and captures both the beauty of nature and the calm, joyful act of gardening and nurturing habitats for bees.

“Continuing our bee-friendly partnership with GWR, the Bee Friendly Trust has brightened up an overlooked part of Trowbridge Railway Station,” said Emma Pritchard of the Bee Friendly Trust.

“We installed two planters, filled with pollen-rich lavender, rosemary, and ceanothus, and commissioned Wiltshire artist Sarah Harris to brighten up the wall behind with a mural.

“The mural, which depicts people tending a flower garden, highlights the joy and calm that can be had from creating vital habitats for bees, a vital pollinator.”

Sophie Martin, community partnership manager at TransWilts, added: “From a distance, the mural is striking, but if you pause and look more closely, there’s so much more to discover and reflect on; it beautifully mirrors the richness of nature.

“The mural and the planters are a great addition to the station, whether you’re travelling through on the train as well as looking for somewhere to spend the time whilst waiting.”

Emma Morris, senior community impact manager at GWR said: “Working closely with the communities that we serve is at the heart of what we do at Great Western Railway, and our longstanding partnership with the Bee Friendly trust is one that we value immensely.

“We’re proud to be working with them and our friends at TransWilts once again, at Trowbridge, to create this haven for both wildlife and our customers.

“We are eagerly awaiting the spring, when this delightful corner of the station will be a sea of colours and scents for all who visit the station to enjoy.”