An Introduction to Bee Keeping 1 Day Course

Rebecca Marshall
May 16, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Oct 3

Whether you're keen to learn everything you need to know to get you started in beekeeping, or simply interested in honeybees, this fun and interactive experience will teach you the fascinating secrets of the honeybee and how to keep bees yourself. We like to create a 'hands - on' experience so keep it as practical and interactive as possible with only short sessions inside for discussion.

ABOUT REBECCA & KAI:

Rebecca has helped run the family bee farm (British honey Producers Ltd) since 2005. In 2016, she was the first bee farming apprentice to graduate in the UK on The Worshipful Wax Chandlers Apprenticeship in Bee Farming, sponsored by The Bee Farmers Association, Sheriff Bee Suits, Defra and Rowse Honey (now owned by Valeo foods).

Her career predominantly focused on rearing Buckfast Queen Bees and Commercial Honey Production until 2019 when her and Kai moved to New Zealand for just over 5 years. She has experienced rearing queens at Buckfast Denmark and at Alpine Honey Co in New Zealand. She has spent time researching Manuka Honey production and enjoyed having an apiary with Kai in Queenstown in the South Island. She has worked with honeybees in Western Australia in the south of Perth researching Jarrah Honey Production, Pollination of Almond Orchards in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, and experience in Urban Bee keeping on the skyscrapers of Sydney - East Australia. Rebecca and her Husband Kai immigrated back to the UK this year to take over the family business British Honey Producers Ltd full time.

The exciting part! - The Course Itinerary

THE BEE BACKGROUND : Our day begins in our family home on the bee farm. We will talk to you about our background in bee farming and the experiences we've had around the world with Honey bees. We will get to know about the humble honeybee and its fascinating history, You'll learn basic bee biology and all about how bee colonies work.

MEET THE BEES: It's time to get on your bee suits and meet the bees!

We'll provide everything you need (suits and gloves) and teach you how to open the hive, recognise the different bees (including how to spot the queen!) and explain what they are doing in different parts of the hive.

* Break for Lunch *

BEEKEEPER’S ESSENTIALS : Find out about the equipment bee keepers use to care for their hives. You'll learn about the lifecycle of a colony, disease prevention, caring for bees and of course how to harvest honey. We will go through which plants help support the honeybee population too.

LEARN: How honey is made and have a guided honey tasting - We will go through the different honeys we have produced that year, and discover different pollen sources.

Time to get back for coffee and a cake to put everything we've learnt together!

There will be plenty of opportunity to ask us questions and get practical advice on keeping bees throughout the entire day - we will always try to answer any questions you may have.

WHEN?

Saturday 13th June 2026 10 - 3pm - 10 spaces available

Saturday 27th June 2026 10 - 3pm - 10 spaces available

WHERE?

Oakfield Honey Farm,

West street,

Steeple Claydon,

Buckinghamshire, MK18 2LJ

HOW MUCH?

£90.00 per person (home cooked lunch, cakes and refreshments included)

WHO FOR?

This course is designed for adults only age 16yrs +