Have you ever wondered what it looks like inside a hive? Are you looking for something different to give a friend or loved one who has an interest in bees and beekeeping as a gift?
For just £20 we provide a two hour ‘Taster Session’ that will give the participant an insight into the world of the honey bee and beekeeping. You will be able to find out about the honey bee lifecycle and put on a beekeeping suit to look into a live hive and watch the honey bees at work.
2025 Taster Dates are available to book now:
- Sunday 4th May 1-3pm
- Sunday 6th July 1-3pm
- Sunday 3rd Aug 1-3pm
Book A Taster Course
Our 2026 Introduction to Beekeeping Course is ready for booking, please use the booking link below, or get in touch for more info: Contact us .
Book Here
2026 details
The introductory course is suitable for complete novices and aims to provide the knowledge and experience you will need to take on the management of your first colony of honey bees.
The course begins with 5 Beekeeping Theory days at Necton Community Centre PE37 9EH from 7pm - approx 9pm, including a short refreshment break. Topics will include - the basics of bee biology, types of hives, where to keep them, other essential equipment, how to care for bees throughout the year, apiary safety & hygiene, extracting your first honey and an introduction to the most common bee pests and diseases.
These will be followed by some practical sessions, when you can don a beesuit and experience the inspection of colonies of bees under the expert guidance of some of our experienced beekeepers. On the first visit, you will observe the volunteer beekeepers as they explain what they are doing and why. But in later weeks, as your confidence grows, you will learn to handle the bees yourself and practice what you will need to do to look after your own bees during their first season. Finally, there are 3 sessions, later in the year, that will provide the information you will need to carry out essential tasks at those times. All practical sessions take place at WNKLBA East Walton Apiary PE32 1PP (Directions will be sent before your first visit)
The total cost of the course is £170 per person, made up as follows:
- £130 course fee - which includes your own copy of the Haynes Bee manual and the 13 course sessions listed above. This is payable by bank transfer within 48 hours of booking to secure your place and is non-refundable except in the unlikely event of the course being cancelled. In case of cancellation, it will be refunded in full, or your place can be deferred until next year as you prefer; PLUS
- membership of WNKLBA which costs £40 per person for 2026 (with a small discount for couples). WNKLBA membership includes membership of the British Beekeepers' Association, Public & Products Liability Insurance and Bee Disease Insurance for your first 3 colonies of bees. Membership payment links will be sent out in early January and must be paid by 10th January, at the very latest, to participate in the course.
membership of WNKLBA which costs £40 per person for 2026 (with a small discount for couples). WNKLBA membership includes membership of the British Beekeepers' Association, Public & Products Liability Insurance and Bee Disease Insurance for your first 3 colonies of bees. Membership payment links will be sent out in early January and must be paid by 10th January, at the very latest, to participate in the course.
2026 Provisional Course Dates
| 1st Theory |
Thursday 29th January 7pm - 9pm |
| 2nd Theory |
Thursday 12th February 7pm - 9pm |
| 3rd Theory |
Thursday 26th February 7pm - 9pm |
| 4th Theory |
Thursday 19th March 7pm - 9pm |
| 5th Theory |
Thursday 9th April 7pm - 9pm |
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| 1st Practical |
Sunday 26th April 2pm - 4pm |
| 2nd Practical |
Sunday 17th May 2pm - 4pm |
| 3rd Practical |
Sunday 7th June 2pm - 4pm |
| 4th Practical |
Sunday 28nd June 2pm - 4pm |
| 5th Practical |
Sunday 12th July 2pm - 4pm |
| Autumn Treatment Day |
Saturday 8th August 2pm - 4pm |
| Preparation for the Next Season |
Sunday 4th October - 10.30am - 1.30pm (TBC) |
| Winter Treatment Day |
Sunday 22rd Novmber 12 noon - 2pm |
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If you have any questions or difficulties using the booking system please email Contact us.
We look forward to introducing you to the wonderful world of beekeeping!
Some Important Information for Prospective Beekeepers
Beekeeping is a wonderful hobby but, like most hobbies, it has a significant cost. In addition to the course, you should budget £800-£1,000 to cover first-year set-up costs (to include a hive, a starter colony of bees and all the essential equipment) and you will need a second hive early in the 2nd year (cost from £200).
Most new beekeepers do not get a honey crop until their 2nd year.
There is also a significant time commitment. Bees are livestock and must be properly cared for. They must usually be inspected every week between April and August, which will take about an hour per colony to begin with (but will get quicker with more experience and more colonies). During the winter, the hives are not opened but should be checked regularly, and there are tasks that must be done at specific times of year.
Expect a few stings! For most people this is a minor inconvenience, perhaps a minute or two of pain and a day or two of swelling, and you will get used to it. However, if you know you are allergic to bee venom, please contact us before signing up.
The course is tailored to finish around the best time to buy bees, in late May/early June. We will provide a list of reputable local bee breeders at your first practical session. There is no obligation at all to buy bees - enjoying and learning about them and then deciding that beekeeping is not for you, or that now is not the right time, is a perfectly valid outcome.
Once hives are established, it is difficult to move them at certain times of the year. Please be aware that, should your circumstances change eg moving house, the moving of your bees may need to be planned a few months in advance.
This is free to Association members who have done the Beginners course (or £75 + £39 membership otherwise) and is designed to take members to the point where they can gain their BBKA Basic Certificate in Beekeeping. There is no charge for this course.
Our 2026 course will commence on the 4th Febuary 2026 with 3 theory sessions followed by 4 practicals.
Booking is now open below.
Register Here
For more information please Contact Jill