Want To Keep Bees?

Learn how to become a beekeeper and save the honey bees:

Bees are pollinators vital to our food chain. One third of the food we eat would not be available but for bees and other pollinators. Bees are under threat and need your support.

Beekeeping can be a fascinating hobby, a profitable sideline, or a full-time occupation. You may want to keep bees for the delicious fresh honey they produce, for the benefits of their valuable services as pollinators, or perhaps simply for the enjoyment of learning more about one of nature’s most interesting insects. Almost anyone can keep bees.

If you want to learn more, come & join one of our newbees intensive courses: Two Day Weekend New Beekeeper Course; which are run through the spring months April to June and learn the basics of beekeeping, through theory session and practical sessions. We can also provide you with all the equipment and bees to set you up as a beekeeper for the first year on day 2. You’ll be provided with insurance, support, bee buddies & mentor plus lots of further workshops to attend to enhance your skills.

If you have never done beekeeping before, this is a wonderful opportunity to get first-hand experience as well as confidence and knowledge to help you become a beekeeper, with honey in your first year.

We offer an hour’s hands on session to Meet the Bees Day for people interested in potentially becoming a beekeeper or just to have a trial session – opening hives and manipulating bees – by advance booking only, Contact Us, this is held at our Wisley site. All equipment and bee suits are provided. You MUST bring your own wellington boots to protect your ankles and feet.

We also provide individual private lessons, and support for schools, once the theory has been learnt – Contact Us for further details.

However, if you want to support the bees but suffer from Anaphylaxis or don’t want to keep bees yourself; how about buying a share in a beehive and Adopting a Hive? It also makes a great Christmas or Birthday gift for grandparents and children alike.

We are able to support organisations to improve their carbon footprint and green credentials by providing a fully managed beehive service to local businesses. This can be part of your Corporate Social Responsibility Policy.

For more experienced members we offer the BBKA Basic Assessment, as well as Queen Rearing and Microscopy Courses.

For beekeepers who have kept bees for a minimum of 3 years, and completed their Basic Level Beekeeping we have an Intermediary Course consisting of 3 Theory Sessions and 4 hands  on practical sessions, as well as Workshops to prepare for the General Husbandry Certificate.

We also take an active part in the education of children in Beekeeping though cub/girl guide/school visits to our apiary. We also invite young beekeepers to attend and pass the BBKA Junior Assessment. In 2019 we successfully trained the UK’s Youngest Qualified Beekeeper aged just 5, Archie Cridland, who passed his BBKA Junior Certificate. We support local schools educating them in the importance of bees as well as supporting Feltham Young Offenders in their rehabilitation programme covering the Skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

To enquire about available places please complete the enquiry form and one of the team will contact you to discuss preferred available course dates and venues. You’ll be amazed how easy it is!

If you do not have a Bee suit they can be provided.

We also run several several Winter Workshops. Costs include all materials and handouts and you’ll take home the product you have made with lots of good tips. It also provides an opportunity to chat and socialise with local beekeepers.