Service Description

If you like the idea of having your own hive, then come and learn the fundamentals of beekeeping and some of the astounding realities of honeybee colonies in beautiful rural West Dorset, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty right on the Jurassic Coast. We are natural, low intervention beekeepers and will teach you about our approach to bees, beekeeping and how you can interact with honeybees while still protecting them and their habitat. The course is broken into two days of theory and practical sessions and is designed to guide and prepare you as a beginner beekeeper to enable you to look after a hive of your own. ​We will start from general principles, go on to talk about colony behaviour and give some insight into the bee’s activities. Colony behaviour is a vast and fascinating topic and will permeate all our teaching and your questions. We will also discuss the different types of hive available, swarm collection, the siting of an apiary, and look at the types of equipment we use. You will get to familiarise yourself with the essential equipment. We will spend time at the hives, building your confidence and skills with us safely by your side. You will learn about the beekeeper’s year and honeybee colony behaviour across the seasons, and we will give you guidance on how you might like to acquire and look after your own hive and how to sustainably harvest products from your hive. ​​The two day beginner beekeeper course is £270 including lunch on both days. Available date 21 and 22 August 2025, 13 and 14 November 2025, 5 and 6 February 2026, 16 and 17 April 2026 £270 per person ​ ​