Pollination-themed family activities engage more than 600 people at Gallions Retail Park

Pollination took centre stage at Gallions Retail Park on Saturday 11 July, when Art in the Docks delivered a day of free creative and educational activities for local families.

Visitors transformed the area with colourful pavement chalk drawings and artwork on the windows of empty retail units.

Children and families also made flower crowns, learned about the lifecycle and vital ecological role of bees, and enjoyed a close-up view of a working colony through an observation beehive. Throughout the day, small parades took place, accompanied by a brass swing band.

More than 600 people engaged with the activities throughout the day, bringing colour and energy to the retail park while encouraging conversations about pollinators, biodiversity and the natural environment.

This event demonstrates how accessible creative activity can enliven public spaces, attract families and turn an everyday visit into a memorable shared experience. It also continues Art in the Docks’ mission to bring art, learning and community participation into unexpected places across London’s Royal Docks.