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The Beekeeping Day

Only 4 dates left

The Beekeeping Day

£245.00 Inclusive

Book this course
dates left
17 May
£245.00
06 Jun
£245.00
26 Jul
£245.00
14 Aug
£245.00
1 day
Adult
Close
10:00 - 17:00

Join Us for the River Cottage One Day Beekeeping Course in Devon

Step into the world of honeybees and spend a hands-on day at River Cottage in the beautiful Devon countryside, discovering the craft of beekeeping. Whether you’re dreaming of your own hive or simply curious to learn something new, this immersive experience blends practical learning with exceptional seasonal food.

Guided by expert beekeeper Steve Minshall, co-author of the River Cottage Bee and Honey Handbook, you’ll get up close to the hives and learn how to care for a colony, understand bee behaviour, and explore different approaches to beekeeping. It’s a fascinating insight into one of nature’s most important and industrious creatures.

Between sessions, you’ll sit down to a generous, seasonal lunch prepared by our River Cottage chefs, celebrating the best of our kitchen garden and surrounding countryside. Throughout the day, you’ll also enjoy honey-inspired treats that showcase the flavour and versatility of this remarkable ingredient.

By the end of the day, you’ll leave inspired, well-fed, and equipped with the knowledge and confidence to begin your own beekeeping journey.

Is this course suitable for me?  This course isn’t suitable for those with bee sting or honey allergies. We recommend this course for participants aged 13 and up. Under-16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all our guests. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or need more information.

 

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

Arrive at River Cottage and settle in with tea or coffee as you meet your hosts. We’ll begin with a tasting of different honeys, including our own, a delicious introduction to the day ahead and the remarkable flavours bees create.

SESSION ONE

Beekeeping expert Steve Minshall will guide you through the foundations of beekeeping, from why bees matter to how a colony works. You’ll explore bee behaviour, different hive types, and the essential equipment needed to get started, all brought to life with stories and real insight from the apiary.

SESSION TWO

Step into a beekeeper’s world as you suit up and head to the first River Cottage apiary. Here, you’ll meet the bees up close, explore different hive styles, and get hands-on experience working with the colony.

LUNCH

At River Cottage, food is always a highlight! Enjoy a two-course seasonal lunch made from local ingredients, featuring delicious honey.

SESSION THREE

In the second practical session, visit the second River Cottage apiary to examine a beehive in detail. Learn how to inspect a hive, care for the bees, and maintain safety. Steve will also showcase the various hive types on the farm, including our Rocket hive (as seen on River Cottage Reunited), a Warre hive, and a Top Bar hive.

SESSION FOUR

Return to the kitchen for something sweet, with honey-inspired treats fresh from our chefs. As you enjoy them, Steve will guide you through the next steps, from setting up your own hive to establishing a healthy colony.

DEPARTURE

Before heading back up the hill, there will be time to chat with fellow participants and talk to Steve, all while holding your course notes.

Your Beekeeping Course Highlights

  • Learn the fundamentals of beekeeping and how to start your own colony.
  • Explore different beekeeping methods and discover the right one for you.
  • Gain hands-on experience with various types of hives around River Cottage.
  • Receive expert instruction from Steve Minshall, author of the River Cottage Bee and Honey Handbook.
  • Enjoy a two-course honey-inspired lunch prepared by River Cottage chefs.
  • Dive deep into hive inspections, learning bee care, disease prevention, and more.
  • Leave with the knowledge to start your beekeeping journey, including equipment essentials.

 

 

Artisanal SkillsGardening and Outdoor CoursesRiver Cottage Courses
Can’t find the right date? Click here to receive an alert
when new dates are released for this event.
10:00 - 17:00
|
from £245.00
Bumblebee collecting nectar from purple wildflowers in a natural garden setting.
Small group of people in beekeeping suits gathered around wooden hives in a wildflower meadow, listening to an instructor during a practical session.
A beekeeper holds a piece of honeycomb, surrounded by bees.
Steve Minshall in a beekeeping jacket standing beside a wooden hive, using a metal smoker that releases gentle smoke, with greenery and a garden bench in the background.
"Bee Careful" Sign with beekeeping course in background.
A woman stood holding the beekeeping hive.
Three women enjoying a lunch on the River Cottage Course
Bumblebee collecting nectar from purple wildflowers in a natural garden setting.
Small group of people in beekeeping suits gathered around wooden hives in a wildflower meadow, listening to an instructor during a practical session.
A beekeeper holds a piece of honeycomb, surrounded by bees.
Steve Minshall in a beekeeping jacket standing beside a wooden hive, using a metal smoker that releases gentle smoke, with greenery and a garden bench in the background.
"Bee Careful" Sign with beekeeping course in background.
A woman stood holding the beekeeping hive.
Three women enjoying a lunch on the River Cottage Course

Proudly Accredited & Award-Winning

Proud to hold the ICSA Centre of Excellence award, we uphold the highest standards in culinary education.

Join Us for the River Cottage One Day Beekeeping Course in Devon

Step into the world of honeybees and spend a hands-on day at River Cottage in the beautiful Devon countryside, discovering the craft of beekeeping. Whether you’re dreaming of your own hive or simply curious to learn something new, this immersive experience blends practical learning with exceptional seasonal food.

Guided by expert beekeeper Steve Minshall, co-author of the River Cottage Bee and Honey Handbook, you’ll get up close to the hives and learn how to care for a colony, understand bee behaviour, and explore different approaches to beekeeping. It’s a fascinating insight into one of nature’s most important and industrious creatures.

Between sessions, you’ll sit down to a generous, seasonal lunch prepared by our River Cottage chefs, celebrating the best of our kitchen garden and surrounding countryside. Throughout the day, you’ll also enjoy honey-inspired treats that showcase the flavour and versatility of this remarkable ingredient.

By the end of the day, you’ll leave inspired, well-fed, and equipped with the knowledge and confidence to begin your own beekeeping journey.

Is this course suitable for me?  This course isn’t suitable for those with bee sting or honey allergies. We recommend this course for participants aged 13 and up. Under-16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all our guests. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or need more information.

 

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

Arrive at River Cottage and settle in with tea or coffee as you meet your hosts. We’ll begin with a tasting of different honeys, including our own, a delicious introduction to the day ahead and the remarkable flavours bees create.

SESSION ONE

Beekeeping expert Steve Minshall will guide you through the foundations of beekeeping, from why bees matter to how a colony works. You’ll explore bee behaviour, different hive types, and the essential equipment needed to get started, all brought to life with stories and real insight from the apiary.

SESSION TWO

Step into a beekeeper’s world as you suit up and head to the first River Cottage apiary. Here, you’ll meet the bees up close, explore different hive styles, and get hands-on experience working with the colony.

LUNCH

At River Cottage, food is always a highlight! Enjoy a two-course seasonal lunch made from local ingredients, featuring delicious honey.

SESSION THREE

In the second practical session, visit the second River Cottage apiary to examine a beehive in detail. Learn how to inspect a hive, care for the bees, and maintain safety. Steve will also showcase the various hive types on the farm, including our Rocket hive (as seen on River Cottage Reunited), a Warre hive, and a Top Bar hive.

SESSION FOUR

Return to the kitchen for something sweet, with honey-inspired treats fresh from our chefs. As you enjoy them, Steve will guide you through the next steps, from setting up your own hive to establishing a healthy colony.

DEPARTURE

Before heading back up the hill, there will be time to chat with fellow participants and talk to Steve, all while holding your course notes.

Your Beekeeping Course Highlights

  • Learn the fundamentals of beekeeping and how to start your own colony.
  • Explore different beekeeping methods and discover the right one for you.
  • Gain hands-on experience with various types of hives around River Cottage.
  • Receive expert instruction from Steve Minshall, author of the River Cottage Bee and Honey Handbook.
  • Enjoy a two-course honey-inspired lunch prepared by River Cottage chefs.
  • Dive deep into hive inspections, learning bee care, disease prevention, and more.
  • Leave with the knowledge to start your beekeeping journey, including equipment essentials.

 

 

Artisanal SkillsGardening and Outdoor CoursesRiver Cottage Courses
Can’t find the right date? Click here to receive an alert
when new dates are released for this event.

Reviews (6)

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5 / 5 (6 ratings)
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  1. Jeanette
    –

    Great food and all fresh and local, fabulous staff, we picked up plenty of tips

  2. S
    –

    Excellent, and I have already recommended this to a few friends who would like to attend Bee keeping in the future

  3. Mandy
    –

    The course was really interesting and informative. (Exciting too!) Steve was very friendly and approachable. He took his time with us and and answered any questions clearly.

  4. Diana
    –

    “Our chef teacher was enthusiastic, friendly and very helpful and informed. I love cooking and I really enjoyed myself. However long you’ve been cooking you can always learn new things and the dishes we made were all delicious.”

  5. Zoe
    –

    Well organised, relaxed, great environment to learn – I enjoyed the course and it was inspiring too!

  6. George
    –

    Brilliant chef for the day, it was amazing thankyou, and really appreciate the hard work and effort that must go on behind the scenes everyday to organise all you do, as well as to do the day itself thankyou.