An Introduction to Beekeeping (Mudchute, 2026)

Our renowned two-day weekend course is one of the most comprehensive beginners' courses available, covering husbandry skills, bee disease and pests, siting apiaries, keeping bees in cities, products of the hive, components of the hive, making frames and beekeeping equipment, thorough lectures and hands-on sessions including inspection of hives (weather permitting).

This course is based on the British Beekeepers Association’s ‘Introduction to Beekeeping’ syllabus, but with a focus on keeping bees in an urban environment. It is designed to equip attendees with the basic skills and knowledge that they will need to keep their own bees safely and productively.

All attendees will get a book about beekeeping and free LBKA membership for the year (if you are already a member, we will give your free membership to you next year). In addition, those who want to eventually keep bees will be allocated to an experienced LBKA mentor for a whole bee season. This unique service will prepare you to start keeping your own bees. Please note that we cannot guarantee to find you a mentor near where you live, but we'll do our very best.

The event is over two days (Saturday and Sunday). This event will take place at Mudchute Farm on 11th and 12th April 2026. The same course will run at Brockwell Park the weekend after that (18th/19th April) - please check you are buying tickets for the correct location/weekend that you wish to attend. For more information, please contact services@lbka.org.uk