Beekeeping Course for Beginners 2026

Full introductory course at Crude Honey’s Production Hives, Set in the beautiful surroundings of Heeley City Farm. Bucket loads of real ‘head in hive’ practical beekeeping experience, coupled with informative classroom-based learning.

Join Nick of Crude Honey, an experienced beekeeper and artisan honey producer, with a wealth of knowledge and passion about bees. Learn the art of natural and sustainable beekeeping through six unique sessions, taking you on a journey through the beekeeping year, functioning of the hive, beekeeping practices, and honey production; enabling you to become a confident beekeeper of your own hives.

The course is suitable for those ranging from interested/ complete beginners through to those wanting to brush up or improve skills and confidence.

One off ‘Bee experiences’ and more in depth/ advanced beekeeping courses are also available, so please contact for details.

About Nick Nick caught the honey bee bug over 14 years ago, learning through a local community project and experienced local bee farmers, and building a 50 hive strong community honey production project at a local city farm. Nick is a qualified and experienced Beekeeper and teacher in adult education, delivering sessions for people of all ages and backgrounds in beekeeping and organic sustainable food growing for many years.

Now an independent beekeeper and artisan honey producer, ‘Crude Honey’ was born in 2022 and is going from strength to strength.

Nick’s work is fuelled by his passion for bees, love of nature and sustainable farming and food production practices. He has a lifelong knowledge of plants and how this affects both the bees through the year and the honey they make. He goes by the principle “a surplus of honey is the byproduct of healthy bees”.

Nick’s esteem for bees is infectious and his enthusiasm for sharing his skills and experience makes it easy to learn and grow in his lessons.

What will the sessions cover?Session 1 – Introduction to beekeeping, bee hives and bees!Session 2 – Understanding a hive and how to place it.Session 3 – Managing bees, swarm control and the honey bee lifecycle.Session 4 – The beekeeping year broken down.Session 5 – Harvesting Honey, everything you need to know to get started, when to, how to, and taking into consideration winter supplies for the bees.Session 6 – Honey bee health, management of pests and identification of diseases.

Every session will include practical time with the bees. Bee suits and gloves are provided, however, best to wear sturdy shoes or boots and trousers.