Bookings Now Open
May – June 2026
Our Beginning Beekeeping Course covers practical skills and provides you with a basic knowledge and understanding of bees and beekeeping, allowing you to handle bees safely.
The course starts with an induction session, and then runs for 6 consecutive Saturday mornings during May and June 2026.
Over the weeks, you will be able to handle a colony of honeybees under the supervision of our experienced Beekeepers, working in small groups.
The course includes:
- How to keep yourself safe
- Hive parts and beekeeping equipment
- The different types of hives
- Recognising Brood, nectar, pollen and honey
- Basic bee biology
- Understanding why bees swarm
- Recognising and marking Queens
- Apiary Hygiene
- Bee Diseases
- How to keep strong and healthy bees
Dates & Locations
Course Dates:
The 2026 Course Dates are as follows:
Saturday 16th May 2026 – Induction Session
10:00 to 14:00
followed by 6 consecutive Saturdays:
Saturday 30th May – Saturday 4th July 2026
10:00 to 14:00
plus a *BONUS* Honey Extraction Demo –
To be confirmed
We are hosting two identical courses, one at our NT Shugborough Apiary and one at our sister at the Forest of Mercia site at Hilton Green.
Before booking, please select your preferred location, either Shugborough or Hilton Green. Places are limited to 15 attendees at each venue, and will be on a first come first served basis.
Forest of Mercia – Hilton Green
Hilton Green,
Hilton Lane,
Essington,
WV11 2BD
10 Places Available.
National Trust – Shugborough Estate
Milford,
Great Haywood,
Stafford,
ST17 0UP
Now Full