Discover the magic of the honey bee with a full day of hands-on learning and exploration. Each experience is unique, shaped not only by you but also by the bees and what they’re up to on the day—sometimes even the unexpected excitement of a swarm!
Your day begins with a relaxed introduction to the world of the honey bee, over a cup of tea, before you suit up in a full beekeeping suit. Guided by our expert beekeepers, you’ll open a working hive, learning about the different castes of bees, their vital roles, and watching them care for larvae, gather pollen, and attend the Queen.
Next, you’ll join our head beekeepers for a hive inspection. If you wish, you’ll hold a frame of bees yourself, search for eggs and larvae, and perhaps even spot the elusive Queen. Along the way, our beekeepers will explain the importance of hive health and apiary management, always happy to answer questions.
After a short talk on swarming, enjoy a light Ploughman’s lunch before exploring the sweet rewards of beekeeping. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about honey extraction and jarring—spinning honey straight from the comb or filling your own jar to take home.
The day ends with tea, cake, and our closing talk, Beyond the Bees, where you’ll discover other wonderful products our bees help create. Before you leave, you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase unique bee-inspired souvenirs.
Beekeeper Experience Day
A full-on day of beekeeping alongside our head beekeepers. This course is perfect for those who are fascinated by the super-organism that is the honeybee but want to develop their understanding of the honeybee beyond the hive.
This is a working apiary, and there will be bees in the apiary and on their flight-paths to and from the nectar and pollen. Participants must wear long-sleeved clothing and bring wellies or sturdy ankle boots. Ankles must be protected so socks should be able to tuck over trousers. We will provide you with a suitable, protective beekeeping suit and gloves but we cannot guarantee you will not get stung. We will of course do our best to ensure you don’t get stung! If you have allergies to bee stings, unfortunately, these experiences are not suitable for you.
Our apiary is sited in Little Canfield, and postcode and directions will be provided following a booking. There’s a short walk, across a field from the car-park and the terrain can be uneven in places so please take care.
Experience vouchers are non-refundable and all experiences are weather dependent. The organisers refuse the right to change the date of experiences if the weather conditions are inclement to inspecting and opening beehives. Should an experience be cancelled, the date will be rescheduled, and a new date offered.