Something They’ll Always Remember
Looking for beekeeping gift ideas that feel thoughtful, personal and a little out of the ordinary?
Choosing presents isn’t always easy, especially when you want to give something that feels meaningful. And while a hive or beekeeping kit might seem like a good idea, it often comes with practical challenges – like where to keep bees, how to handle them and the different types of care they need through the year.
That’s why we offer two simple ways to try beekeeping first-hand, with no experience needed. Whether it’s for a nature lover, a curious mind or someone who just enjoys trying something new, these gifts offer a fun introduction to life inside the hive.
Get to Know the Bees
One of our most popular options is the ‘Inside the Hive’ Beekeeping Experience Day, where our guests suit up, join our team at the hives and watch the bees at work inside a thriving colony, all at our dedicated Training and Exhibition Centre in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.
Or if they’re ready to learn more, our beekeeping courses offer a more in-depth way to get started. Our Beekeeping for Beginners Course includes eight easy-to-follow modules covering everything from swarming to seasonal hive care, plus how to spot and deal with pests and diseases. Seven of the modules are available online, so they can take their time, build knowledge at their own pace and check their understanding as they go. Once that’s done, they’ll join us for the final module at our Cheshire apiary for a full-day practical session, getting hands-on with the bees, exploring the hives and putting what they’ve learned into practice with support from our experienced team.
Whether it’s a one-off experience or the start of something more, both options are a great way to spend time with the bees and learn something new.
Curious about our Experience Days? Here’s what happens when you book one.
A Beekeeping Gift That Supports Vital Conservation Work
At Buckley’s Bees, our focus is on protecting the native European honeybee (Apis mellifera mellifera), a type of bee that’s evolved over thousands of years alongside the wildflowers, trees and ecosystems of the British Isles.
It’s well-suited to the UK’s climate and a key part of our biodiversity, but most commercial beekeepers now work with imported bees. Changing land use and environmental pressures have made it harder for native honeybees to thrive, which is why we focus on breeding, education and habitat support – and we’re committed to reversing the decline of the bee population.
We’re a family business with more than 80 years of combined experience and, alongside working with schools, landowners and conservation groups, every experience or course booking helps fund the continued protection of these fascinating little garden visitors.
For Curiosity, Learning or Something Unexpected
Visitors come to our Experience Days and Beekeeping Courses for all sorts of reasons – as a gift, to try something new or simply to spend a few hours getting closer to the bees. Some are thinking about keeping honeybees, others just want to see what it’s all about.
They leave with a fresh view of the hive, plenty of new bee facts and a better sense of what it’s really like. Some go on to Adopt a Queen Bee or book another beekeeping course. Others are happy with just the day. Either way, it’s time well spent.
Join Us At The Beehives
Whether it’s a thoughtful present or something you’ve always wanted to try yourself, our Inside the Hive Experience Days and Beekeeping Courses offer a great introduction, plus the chance to support the bees along the way.
We’d love to welcome you to the apiary and show you what makes our bees so special!
(Hive Experience Days run between May and early July due to the short bee season in the UK. Spaces are 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 and on-site training modules take place?
These are all held at our purpose-built Training and Exhibition Centre in the East Cheshire countryside. It’s a peaceful rural setting, ideal for learning about bees in a relaxed, natural environment. All visits are led by experienced beekeepers and take place at working hives.
What do you buy a bee lover?
There are plenty of thoughtful gifts for someone who loves bees. From handmade beeswax candles and jars of local honey, to Experience Days with Buckley’s Bees and even adopting a queen bee, each one offers something special. You’ll find many of these in our online bee gift shop, where every purchase supports honeybee conservation and biodiversity.
Conclusion
Thinking about giving a beekeeping gift? Whether it’s an Experience Day, a Beekeeping Course, or a meaningful gift like beeswax candles or local honey, it’s a unique way to support British beekeeping and share something special with someone who loves bees.
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.