Introductory beekeeping courses

Beehives at the heather at Llyn Crafnant, Conwy Valley
Beehives at the heather at Llyn Crafnant, Conwy Valley

We recommend introductory beekeeping courses organised by the National Beekeeping Centre Wales, BeesWales.

The courses are held at Henfaes near Bangor, North Wales.

BeesWales is the largest provider of introductory beekeeping courses in Wales.

Blocks of locally produced beeswax
Blocks of locally produced beeswax

We encourage you to follow your course by joining your local beekeepers’ association, attending apiary meetings and winter lecture meetings, reading widely, and learning alongside other beekeepers.

For most of us, beekeeping becomes a lifelong interest.

Weekend Courses and Taster Days are very popular with visitors. We can suggest places to stay. Taster Days also make a popular present.

Swarm of bees
Swarm of bees

We suggest that new beekeepers complete a course and then start with their own bees in the summer. We can put you in touch with local suppliers of nuclei (small colonies of bees).

Recommended reading

Haynes The Bee Manual by Adrian and Claire Waring is an excellent introduction.

Ted Hooper’s Guide to Bees and Honey was recommended for many years, but is now quite dated.