Start Your Day at a Working Apiary
We created our ‘Inside the Hive’ Beekeeping Experience Days because so many people wanted to see the bees up close, and it’s a chance to go beyond the basics and discover what it’s really all about.
Your Experience Day takes place at our dedicated Training and Exhibition Centre in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. It’s a real working site where you’re invited to learn about bees in a friendly, purpose-built setting. We’ve welcomed hundreds of visitors over the years – from complete beginners to dedicated bee enthusiasts – and we’re always happy to introduce more people to the wonderful world of honeybees!
Meet the Beekeepers and Suit Up
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by one of our experienced beekeepers, and whether you’re visiting solo, as a pair or with a small private group, we keep numbers low so everyone feels comfortable and involved.
Next, you’ll be fitted with a full bee suit, gloves and head covering. No previous experience is needed and we’ll guide you through the basics and what to expect before heading out to the hives.
See Inside a Live Hive
Guests often say one of the most memorable parts of the day is the moment we open a working hive. You’ll get a close-up look inside the colony and see how honeybees live, communicate and support each other.
You’ll even have the chance to open a live hive yourself, and if you’re feeling confident, you can hold a full frame of bees! No two sessions are exactly the same, as the bees set the pace and there’s always something new to discover.
Learn as It Happens
With expert guidance, you’ll learn how to spot a queen, recognise the different roles within the hive, and understand how the bees work together through the seasons.
We’ll talk through what’s happening as it unfolds so you can enjoy the experience as it comes to life. Everything you’ll see and hear is based on how we keep our own hives healthy using bee-friendly, environmentally responsible methods.
Leave Inspired
People are often surprised by how much they learn just by watching the bees in action. You won’t just hear about them – you’ll be working alongside someone who does this every day.
Our aim is for you to leave with real insights, and many guests go home with practical ideas they’d like to try in their own gardens or green spaces.
Where the Experience Happens
Our Training and Exhibition apiary is set on a farm in the peaceful Cheshire countryside. The moment you arrive you’ll notice how calm and quiet everything feels and it’s a lovely place to slow down and spend some time.
The setting is ideal for both the bees and the people visiting. You’ll be outdoors for most of the experience and surrounded by hedgerows, wildflowers, the occasional farm animal and the gentle hum of the bees.
Learn About the Native British Honeybee
You’ll learn about the different types of bees we work with including the unique species we specialise in, because at Buckley’s Bees we work with the native British honeybee, Apis mellifera mellifera. This is the bee that evolved alongside our other pollinators, countryside and wildflowers and they play a vital role in supporting biodiversity across the UK. You’ll find out how it differs from other bees and why it’s so important to protect its future.
Emma Buckley, beekeeper and founder of Buckley’s Bees, is also a trustee of the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association BIBBA. Alongside her father David, they’ve spent decades helping to protect this important species.
A Bee Experience with a Bigger Purpose
When you book an Experience Day, you’re doing more than planning a great day out. You’re supporting our wider work with vital pollinators – not just honeybees, but bumbles, solitary bees and everything in between!
That support helps us take bee education into schools, businesses and communities across the UK. Everything we do is centred around bee conservation and learning, and by joining us in the apiary, you’re playing a small but meaningful part in that mission.
We’ll guide you through it all, answer any questions, and make sure you’ll finish the day having learned something new.
A Thoughtful Gift or a Personal Treat
Many people book an Experience Day as a gift, for birthdays, anniversaries or just because. It’s a thoughtful way to share time, nature and curiosity with someone special.
Others come along for themselves, simply because they’ve always wanted to learn more about bees or enjoy a meaningful day out. Some guests go on to take our Beekeeping Courses or choose to Adopt a Queen Bee.
However you arrive, you’ll leave with a new perspective and a story to share.
If you’re thinking about an Experience Day as a gift, our blog on beekeeping gift ideas has ideas on what to give and how to choose the right present.
Ready for your unforgettable experience?
If you’re curious about bees, looking for a one-of-a-kind gift or just a day outdoors doing something special, an Inside the Hive Beekeeping Experience Day is a great place to start. We’re looking forward to meeting you!
(Experiences run between May and early July due to the short bee season in the UK. Spaces limited to 10 per session. Out of season? Get in touch and we’ll let you know as soon as bookings reopen.)
FAQs
Where do Experience Days take place?
These are held at our purpose-built Training and Exhibition Centre in East Cheshire. It’s ideal for learning about bees in a relaxed, natural environment. All visits are led by our beekeepers and take place at working hives.
What should I wear?
We’ll provide everything you need, including your beekeeping outfit.
How long is an Experience Day?
The ‘Inside the Hive’ Beekeeping Experience gives you plenty of time with one of nature’s most fascinating creatures and lasts around three hours, with expert guidance throughout.
Do I need any beekeeping knowledge before I come?
Not at all. Everything is explained, so no experience is needed. Just come along and enjoy the day!
Who leads the Experience Days?
Each session is led by a member of the Buckley’s team who looks after the bees on-site throughout the season. It’s a genuine insight into real working hives, shared by people who manage them every day.
How does it all work on the day?
We keep things relaxed and informal, but everything follows a clear flow – from getting suited up and learning the basics to time at the hives and a chance to ask questions throughout.
Ready to join us?
Our beekeeping Experience Days offer a hands-on way to learn about bees, support conservation and spend time in nature. Whether you’re booking as a gift or for yourself, you’ll come away with new knowledge, confidence around hives and a real connection to these remarkable pollinators.
You can get in touch to book or if you have any questions – we’re always happy to help.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND BUCKLEY'S BEES
Buckley’s Bees is a family-run business led by Emma Buckley and her father David, who share over 80 years of beekeeping experience. Their work focuses on reversing the decline of the UK’s bee population, and the education, conservation and care of the UK’s native honeybee. Emma is also a trustee of the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA), supporting responsible breeding and protection of honeybee populations across the UK.