Courses

Beekeeping can be a fascinating hobby, a profitable sideline, or a full-time occupation.

Want To Keep Bees?

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

🐝 Want to Keep Bees?

Learn how to become a beekeeper and help save the honey bees.

Bees are essential pollinators, responsible for one-third of the food we eat. Yet, bee populations are declining due to pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change. Beekeeping is not only a fascinating and rewarding hobby — it can also be a profitable sideline or even a full-time occupation.

Whether you want delicious honey, the satisfaction of supporting pollinators, or simply the joy of learning about one of nature’s most incredible insects, almost anyone can become a beekeeper.

🐝 Courses for Beginners

Two-Day Weekend New Beekeeper Course

• When: Weekend course – Either 24th and 25th April 2027 or 5th and 6th June 2027
• What: Morning theory sessions + afternoon practical sessions in the apiary
• Extras: Insurance, mentor support, “bee buddies,” and further workshops
• Bonus: You can purchase all equipment and bees on Day 2 to start your first year as a beekeeper
• Outcome: Confidence, knowledge, and honey in your first year
• We also provide private lessons, and tailored support for schools after the theory has been covered.

🐝 Trial & Hands-On Sessions

Meet the Bees Day

• Duration: 1 hour hands-on session
• Experience: Opening hives, handling frames, learning bee behaviour
• Location: Wisley Apiary
• Requirements: Bring your own wellington boots; all other equipment and bee suits provided
• Booking: By advance appointment only

🐝 Hive Adoption & Corporate Support

Not ready to keep bees yourself?

• Adopt a Hive: Ideal gift for children, grandparents, or friends, a great birthday or Christmas gift
• Corporate Bee Managed Service: Fully managed hives for businesses, improving sustainability, biodiversity, and green credentials as part of your Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives

🐝 Courses for More Experienced Beekeepers

• Queen Rearing & Microscopy Courses
• Intermediate Course: For beekeepers with 3+ years of experience; includes theory, practical sessions, and workshops to prepare for the General Husbandry Certificate

🐝 Education & Community Work

• School, cub, and girl guide visits to the apiary
• Training young beekeepers
• Supporting local schools and rehabilitation programs (e.g., Feltham Young Offenders, Duke of Edinburgh Skills Section)

Notably, Surrey Bees has helped train the UK’s youngest qualified beekeeper, Archie Cridland, who achieved the junior certificate in apiculture at just 5 years old – the youngest to ever achieve this, and then went on to achieve a credit in the adult certificate in apiculture at just 10 years old.

🐝 Winter Workshops

• Hands-on craft workshops during winter
• Costs include all materials and handouts
• Take home your creations
• Opportunity to chat and socialise with local beekeepers

📝 Enquiries & Booking

To enquire about available places, complete our enquiry form and our team will contact you with course dates and venue options.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a bee suit — we can provide one!