Drone Fly Eristalis intricaria
This is a member of the Eristalis group comprised of hover flies imitating bees. And you can still see the characterizing markings on the back of this species. But by growing long thick hairs it mimics a bumblebee as well. Some animals are hairier than others and the colouring may be different from the one in this picture as well. The butt may be reddish or black instead of white. We do not know whether this is a British species as well. In continental Europe this is an abundant species, but not seen very often, for it rarely visits flowers. The larvae live from and in rotting plant material.
