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DofE Gold Residential
Now booking for 3 August to 7 August 2026
DofE Residential Beekeeping Course – Now Booking for 2026
📅 3 – 7 August 2026
📍 West Dorset – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | Jurassic Coast
Spend five unforgettable days immersed in the world of honeybees while completing your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Residential in one of the UK’s most beautiful settings.
Set just outside Bridport, on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, our course offers the chance to live and learn in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We schedule some free time to enjoy the area with beach visits, and optional activities such as the high ropes course, or some kayaking. We are easily accessible in less than 3 hours from London, and our local train station Axminster is where we collect you from.
What our students say
‘ this is a residential like no other'
‘Magical memories that will last a lifetime’
‘I loved bees before but now I am totally smitten’
‘It’s given me the perfect project for me product design degree’
‘I feel so strongly about helping the planet, this course has provided
me with a direction where I can start to make a difference’
We are delighted to be licensed by the Duke of Edinburgh Award as an Approved Activity Provider which means we will be the assessor for this section and write the report upon completion.
Led by experienced natural beekeepers, you’ll explore a low-intervention, respectful approach to beekeeping that puts the wellbeing of bees and their habitat first. You’ll learn how to safely interact with honeybees, understand their behaviours and appreciate their essential role as pollinators in our ecosystem.
Our team combines expertise in beekeeping, education, environmentalism, (and even pizza making!) to provide a warm and enriching, fun experience for all participants. Whether you're new to bees or already curious, this is your opportunity to connect with nature in a truly meaningful way.
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course is a lovely mix of theory and practical sessions —we believe that to truly understand bees, you need to work alongside them. You’ll be supported every step of the way, gaining hands-on experience and developing real knowledge, confidence, and skills you can take with you to start your own beekeeping journey or maybe this residential will ignite a passion for pollinators and you’ll join a research team. Our teaching style is flexible and inclusive, everyone is welcome.
We are personally committed to continuous learning, always updating our methods and knowledge in line with the latest research while responding to the ever changing climate. We also work beyond the hive, consulting with landowners and local communities to restore habitats and provide safe, diverse forage for bees and other pollinators. By learning with us, you’ll gain insight into how we can all play a part in supporting our fragile ecosystems.
At The Dorset Bee, we recognise and celebrate neurodiversity.
We understand that everyone learns differently—and that’s something we truly value.
Whether you're neurodivergent or neurotypical, our courses are designed with flexibility in mind. We tailor our teaching approaches to suit individual learning styles, creating a supportive, inclusive environment where every participant can thrive.
You're not expected to fit into a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, we meet you where you are.
If you have specific needs or preferences, just let us know—we’re here to support you.
Come as you are. You’re welcome here.
Places are limited — early booking is recommended.
We look forward to welcoming you into the world of bees.
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Approved Activity Provider
The course is ideal for DofE GOLD RESIDENTIAL with participants aged between 16 and 24. As an Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, we will act as your assessor to submit a report to your eDofE page on completion of the course. Our maximum is only 12 students per course.
What's Included
Tuition - 5 days of practical and theory sessions using a well planned syllabus to give you maximum enjoyment whilst learning this beautiful craft.
Food & drink - All included and you’ll be fully catered. Some evenings we will prepare the meals around the firepit, with the pizza oven or BBQ, or in our on-site kitchen. Sometimes we cook on the beach and enjoy the sunset. We can cater for most dietary requirements.
Equipment - Beekeeping suits and all that you need for hands on tuition in our apiaries is all included.
DofE - We are an Approved Activity Provider and will submit our assessors report to your eDofE page.
Accommodation - 4 nights accommodation at our beautiful private site in the heart of the Dorset countryside next to the sea! Choose from one of our shared rooms in our cottage or share one of our 5m bell tents, complete with comfy beds and carpets true glamping style! Only 12 students per course.
Transport - if you are arriving by train, we will collect you and drop you back on arrival and departure days at Axminster station. We provide transport while you’re with us for trips to the beach and other apiaries we may visit.
There are two price options - Glamping £899 or Cottage £1049 - book your place with a £250 deposit and then pay the balance 8 weeks before the course starts.
Location
New for 2026, our course will take place in the charming coastal village of Charmouth, just a five-minute walk from the beach.
We offer a choice of comfortable cottage accommodation or a unique private glamping experience, giving you the flexibility to stay in a way that suits you best. All theory sessions and media presentations are held in our welcoming communal lounge with Wi-Fi, creating a relaxed and engaging learning environment. Guests staying in the glamping accommodation also have access to indoor hot showers and toilet facilities within the main house.
Food is a central part of the experience. All meals are provided, with a focus on relaxed, sociable dining—think beach BBQs, pizza oven evenings, and shared meals prepared together in our indoor and outdoor kitchen spaces. We often eat outside to enjoy sunsets, and on clear nights, gather around the firepit to toast marshmallows under some of the darkest skies in England—perfect for spotting shooting stars.
Breakfast is available each morning as a self-service option before sessions begin, while lunches are typically fresh salads or sandwiches, depending on which apiary we are visiting. Drinks and snacks are available throughout the day. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated.
The glamping site is rich in wildlife, with tawny owls, hedgehogs, badgers, foxes, bats and sometimes deer, and our own friendly animals including cats, chickens, and guinea pigs. We also set wildlife cameras in the evenings to see what nocturnal visitors have passed through.
During the week, we visit several teaching apiaries, where you’ll learn about honeybee behaviour and colony life through guided observation and hands-on experience.
Midway through the course, we offer an optional afternoon activity. A popular choice is the local high ropes course (£20 per person), or for those who prefer something more relaxed, there is a beautiful walk to a nearby wildflower meadow.
Testimonials
Max DofE student
My stay with the Dorset Bee was exceptional. Their knowledge combined with hands on experience gave me a unique 5 day experience I'm not sure I could have had anywhere else. I feel confident in the knowledge they've given me.
