Beginner's Course in Beekeeping 2026

If you want to start beekeeping a good way to learn how to go about it is to take a Beginners’ Course with an established Association.

The High Wycombe Beekeeping Association (HWBKA) course is a comprehensive introduction to the essentials of beekeeping and consists of 7 theory and two practical sessions. It commences on Saturday 7 March 2026 and for each Saturday morning (not including Saturday 5 April) until 25 April. Each session runs for 2 hours. Once the theory sessions have ended, two practical sessions will be held at our Association Apiary in Saunderton, where you will obtain experience of handing bees. Practical session dates to be confirmed.

Classroom sessions consist of presentations and demonstrations given by a number of experienced beekeepers. There are some practical activities involved, but no live bees. The aim is to give you an understanding of bee husbandry, bee behaviour, dealing with the honey crop and the essential requirements of being a beekeeper.

Classroom dates for 2025 Course:

As each session focuses on a different aspect of Beekeeping, it is preferable for you to be able to attend all of the sessions, but we do provide course notes, so you can catch up if you cannot attend a session.

The classroom sessions for the 2026 Spring course will be held on the following dates from 10am to 12 mid-day.

Sat 07/03/2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sat 14/03/2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sat 21/03/2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sat 28/03/2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sat 11/04/2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sat 18/04/2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sat 25/04/2026 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

The two practical bee handling sessions will be held at HWBKA’s training apiary near High Wycombe. We will provide you with free gloves (to keep) and a free loan of hive tools, smokers and a protective bee-suit. At the Apiary you will learn the essential skills of bee handling, hive inspections and the observation techniques needed to manage a colony.

After the whole course has been completed you will be invited to on-going supervised hive inspections at the training apiary throughout the year.

You will also be welcome at our Association meetings, will receive our monthly Beespace Magazine and support from Association Members if needed.

Course notes are included. If you take up beekeeping, we suggest that you obtain a suitable beekeeping book – there are several to choose from. One of the best is “The Bee Manual” by Claire and Adrian Waring.

HWBKA also has a library of reference books available for Association Members to borrow.

The cost of the course for 2026 is £90.00 per person.

On-going support

After the arranged sessions have finished, you can continue to help out at the apiary for supervised hive inspections if you wish to improve your beekeeping skills and knowledge. Protective clothing is loaned free of charge (except footwear – wellingtons recommended).

If you decide to keep your own bees, there are often some suitable colonies available from our members at a reasonable price. Alternatively, during the swarming season (around May/June) you may be able to collect a swarm for free. Second-hand hives are sometimes available also.

Here are a few comments about a previous course from some of the participants:

“Really enjoyed it and would recommend”

“A very good course”

“Very well run, well presented”

“Have learned a lot about beekeeping”

“Well done, really enjoyed it”

“Enjoyed the course, everyone very helpful and friendly”

“It was very good indeed”

“Thought it was excellent and very informative”