A symbol of Manchester’s rich industrial heritage, the Manchester bee can be seen as a motif throughout the city. On trash bins, lampposts, buildings, floor tiles, artistic depictions of the bee can be spotted everywhere. Even on the floor of City Hall. The University of Manchester’s coat of arms contains three worker bees on it.
During the Industrial Revolution, Manchester was a hive of activity. As a leader in new forms of mass production, Manchester played a central role in technological developments of the time. Since then, the worker bee has come to symbolize the hard work for which Manchester is renowned.
Though it may be difficult to locate every Manchester bee portrayed throughout the city, it makes for a fun afternoon to take a stroll and see what might be buzzing right around the corner.