strange flying insect,anyone know what it could be

There are so many different types of bee. It could easily be one of them. Good to see any insect as they are in decline. Whatever it was it’s probably beneficial to your garden.

Think it probably was a dragon fly..thanks for all your replies

Maybug aka Cockchafers

Dragonfly sounds most likely. You don’t get cicadas do you ? They are very large. Maybe one came over from my side of the world. They are very loud in Summer.

Horsefly?

Maybe a hawk moth of some kind. Hummingbird hawk moths have been flying around on warmer days.

OldFrill , could be that because I know it was flying, but I couldn't see it's wings

A type of dragonfly or damselfly maybe. They can be coloured but commonly brown and can have translucent wings so hard to see. I love them.

There are millions of insects so without a description will be impossible to say.
There was a large insect on the inside of my kitchen window the other day with a head like a hammerhead shark and a stick like body, I think a type of moth.