Beekeeping Taster Sessions, Courses & Experiences
If you'd like to find out more about the world of beekeeping, we offer a range of beekeeping experiences for you to choose from, including our very popular Beekeeping Taster Sessions, a Beekeeping & Colony Management Course, plus Tailored Beekeeping or Private Beekeeping Taster Sessions. Each experience will provide opportunities for you to get hands on with the bees or just observe, depending on how involved you'd like to be.
BEEKEEPING TASTER SESSIONS
Our 2024 Beekeeping Taster Session dates have now been confirmed, as listed below, so now is a great time to book your place or purchase a Birthday or Christmas Voucher for someone special.
Contact us for further details or click here to book your place.
Sessions will be taking place during May, June, July and August on Sunday mornings, from 10am till 12 noon. This 2 hour taster session is specifically designed for people who would like the opportunity to see into the fascinating world of the honey bee, without the need to get too hands on. The session will include the following:
- The workings of the hive and lifecycle of the honey bee
- What is involved in managing bees throughout the year
- How the bees produce honey and the journey from hive
to jar - A chance to taste some of our honeys
- A visit to our apiary to inspect the hives, including an
opportunity to get hands-on (weather dependent).
All protective clothing will be provided, although you'll need to bring a pair of wellington boots!
Here's some of the feedback we received this year:
"Amazing course if you are looking to start your beekeeping journey. I didn't feel overwhelmed with information but at the same time I felt everything was covered and it was amazing to get some real hands on experience with the bees. David & Georgina are fantastic hosts and their honey is amazing!"
"Such a fantastic experience, David and Georgina were brilliant hosts, very welcoming. On arrival we were provided with tea, coffee and delicious honey cake. The information presented was great and the trip up to the beehives was amazing. Don't leave without purchasing some tasty honey, you won't be disappointed!"
The cost of attending these sessions is £75, including hot or cold drinks and cake on arrival.
The minimum age for attending the course is 16 years.
Remaining Summer 2024 Dates
All this summer's dates are now complete, however, we do have some availability for our Private Beekeeping Experience.
Please note that the above dates are dependant on a minimum number of guests attending, so they may be subject to change. In this eventuality you will have the option to transfer to another date of your choice.
To book your place now on the date of your choice, click here.
BEGINNERS BEEKEEPING COURSE
This 3 hour session is designed for novice beekeepers who would like to set up their first colony of bees, or who are in their first year of beekeeping. The course will include an inspection of hives at our home apiary, giving attendees the opportunity to handle the bees and go through starter colonies, in order to gain experience and confidence.
Some examples of what may be covered include:
- Equipment needed to set up your first colony of bees
- Where to site your colony
- Getting started
- Colony inspections
- Disease control
- How to manage the size and strength of your colony during your first beekeeping season.
All protective clothing will be provided.
The cost of attending this course is £115, including refreshments.
The date for this course is Saturday 27th April
Due to demand an additional date of Sunday 26th May is also available.
Please note it will be dependent on the weather and a minimum number of guests attending, so may be subject to change.
To book your place now,
click here
BEEKEEPING & COLONY MANAGEMENT COURSE
This 3 hour session is designed for existing beekeepers who would like advice on managing their colonies as, particularly through the second year of beekeeping. The course will cover specific topics, with particular emphasis on managing an expanding colony through the early beekeeping season, swarm control, Queen marking, taking nucs, etc. The day will include an inspection of hives at our home apiary, showing examples of the topics discussed.
Some examples of what may be covered include:
- Colony inspections throughout the summer
- Swarm control
- How to mark the queen
- Disease control
- How to increase the size and strength of your colony to maximise honey production.
Protective clothing will be available, however, it is assumed that participants will have their own bee suits, etc.
The cost of attending this course is £115, including refreshments.
The provisional date of this course for 2024 is Sunday 28th April. Please note it will be dependent on the weather and a minimum number of guests attending, so may be subject to change.
To enquire about this coure,
email us
PRIVATE BEEKEEPING TASTER SESSIONS
Our private Beekeeping Experiences are designed for couples and are great as a special gift for a loved one or friend. This 2 hour taster session will provide an opportunity for couples to learn about the fascinating world of the honey bee, with an opportunity to see inside some of our hives and of course taste some of our honeys. These sessions can be purchased in advance and will be arranged at a mutually convenient time until mid September.
The session will include the following:
- The workings of the hive and lifecycle of the honey bee
- How the bees produce honey and the journey from hive
to jar - A chance to taste some of our honeys
- A visit to our apiary to inspect the hives, including an
opportunity to get hands-on (weather dependent).
All protective clothing will be provided, although you'll need to bring a pair of wellington boots!
The cost of our private beekeeping experience is £190. Please email us at georgina@nearlyhomehoney.co.uk for further information.
Here's the feedback we received from one of our private sessions this year:
"I booked a surprise 2 hour beekeeping and honey tasting experience for my partners’ birthday and I’m so pleased I stumbled upon Nearly Home Beekeeping! This was an amazing experience from start to finish. David and Georgina are so knowledgable and such a lovely, welcoming and fun couple. We had a great time and could happily have stayed beyond 2 hours to learn more and obviously taste more of the delicious honey bee offerings. Thank you so much."
To book a Private Beekeeping Taster Session, click here
If you would like to plan a weekend visit to combine with this course, we even have our very own luxury Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottage. To find out more call for available dates.
Slightly larger group sizes are also available on request. The cost will be dependent on the group size; information is available on request. Please email us at georgina@nearlyhomehoney.co.uk with details of your request.
TAILOR-MADE BEEKEEPING SESSIONS
This 4 hour session, which can also be organised as two 2 hour sessions, is designed for existing beekeepers who would like advice on how to better manage their colonies. They will have the opportunity to request what subjects they'd like to cover, with particular emphasis on any problems their might be experiencing. The day will include an inspection of hives at our home apiary, based around these questions.
Some examples of what may be covered include:
- How to mark the queen
- Swarm control
- Disease control
- How to increase the size and strength of your colony to maximise honey production.
The cost of attending this course is £350, including refreshments.
These sessions, which are designed for up to 2 people, will be arranged at a mutually convenient time until the end of September.
If you would like to plan a weekend visit to combine with this course, we even have a choice of two luxury Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottages. To find out more or book online click here
Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottages
Luxury accommodation for two