Get a fascinating introduction to the world of honey bees with our half-day Beekeeping Taster Session. Your experience begins with an engaging talk on the life of the honey bee—how they differ from wasps and bumblebees—and a quick journey through a beekeeper’s year.
Then it’s time to suit up in full beekeeping gear and head out to the hives. Guided by our expert beekeepers, you’ll open a working colony, handle a frame of bees, spot eggs and larvae, and even try to find the Queen herself. Along the way, you’ll learn to identify honey stores, pollen, and the different castes of bees that keep the hive thriving.
Afterwards, relax with tea and cake while enjoying our short talk, Beyond the Bees, exploring the many wonderful uses of beeswax and honey. Before you leave, you’ll also have the chance to browse and purchase bee-inspired gifts and souvenirs to remember your visit.
Beekeeper Taster Session
This experience is for those looking for a lighter touch as an introduction to beekeeping. You’ll work alongside our Head Beekeepers as they carry out some of their beekeeping duties on a regular hive inspection day.
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.