We are based in Hinton Charterhouse and have been keeping bees for over 10 years. We specialise in the rearing of Buckfast Bees where we breed them for sale to hobby beekeepers through to commercial beekeepers. We use the same bees throughout our own honey production colonies.

We offer both group tuition or 1-2-1 tuition.

What You’ll Leave the Course With

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand how a honeybee colony functions

• Know how to safely inspect a hive

• Be able to identify brood and assess colony health

• Understand the equipment required to begin beekeeping

• Know when and how to obtain your first bees

• Feel confident starting your own hive

Many participants leave the course ready to begin beekeeping in the same season.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for:

• Complete beginners interested in keeping bees

• Gardeners and smallholders

• People interested in honeybees and pollination

• Anyone considering starting their own hive

No previous experience is required.

Hands-On Beekeeping Experience

Our courses are designed to be practical and interactive.

During the day you will:

• Visit our working apiary

• Learn how to inspect a hive safely

• Handle frames of bees under supervision

• Identify brood, pollen and honey stores

• Understand how colonies develop throughout the season

Protective clothing, including bee suits and gloves, will be provided for use during the course.

Learn on a Real Honey Farm

This course takes place at Bath Honey Boys, where bees are managed for honey production, pollination, and nucleus colony rearing.

Training on a real honey farm gives you the opportunity to experience genuine day-to-day beekeeping rather than simply learning from demonstration hives or classroom presentations.

You will also see the equipment used by both beginner and commercial beekeepers and learn what you actually need to get started.