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Beekeeping

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Beekeeping

£183.75 Inclusive

Early Bird Discount
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03 May
£245.00
17 May
£245.00
06 Jun
£245.00
28 Jun
£245.00
26 Jul
£245.00 £196
14 Aug
£245.00 £196
1 day
Adult
Close
10:00 - 17:00

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

Discover the world of honeybees on our one day beekeeping course at River Cottage in Devon. Whether you are keen to start your own hive or simply want to explore a fascinating new skill, our expert tutors will guide you through the essentials of beekeeping.

Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem, and with many species under threat, learning to care for them has never been more important. On this practical course, you will gain the knowledge and hands on experience you need to get started. The day is led by Steve Minshall, expert beekeeper and co author of the River Cottage Bee and Honey Handbook. You will explore different beekeeping methods and discover how to choose an approach that works for you.

Alongside learning how to care for a colony, you will enjoy honey themed treats and a seasonal two course lunch prepared by our River Cottage chefs. By the end of the day, you will leave with the skills 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

Start your day by meeting your hosts and enjoying tea, coffee, and a tasting of various honeys, including our own River Cottage honey.

SESSION ONE

Tutor Steve will guide you through the fundamentals of beekeeping, covering reasons to keep bees, honey bee behavior, different hive types, and the necessary equipment.

SESSION TWO

Get suited up and walk to the first of the River Cottage apiaries. There, you’ll see different hive styles, meet our bees, and gain hands-on experience with our colonies.

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

Savor treats from the kitchen featuring honey, while diving deeper into the essential steps to set up your own hive and establish your bee 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
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from £183.75
Beekeeper stood in front of a beehive teaching at River Cottage.
A beekeeper holds a piece of honeycomb, surrounded by bees.
Private Beekeeping Course with four customers looking happy.
A woman stood holding the beekeeping hive.
Three women enjoying a lunch on the River Cottage Course
"Bee Careful" Sign with beekeeping course in background.
Beekeeper stood in front of a beehive teaching at River Cottage.
A beekeeper holds a piece of honeycomb, surrounded by bees.
Private Beekeeping Course with four customers looking happy.
A woman stood holding the beekeeping hive.
Three women enjoying a lunch on the River Cottage Course
"Bee Careful" Sign with beekeeping course in background.

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

Discover the world of honeybees on our one day beekeeping course at River Cottage in Devon. Whether you are keen to start your own hive or simply want to explore a fascinating new skill, our expert tutors will guide you through the essentials of beekeeping.

Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem, and with many species under threat, learning to care for them has never been more important. On this practical course, you will gain the knowledge and hands on experience you need to get started. The day is led by Steve Minshall, expert beekeeper and co author of the River Cottage Bee and Honey Handbook. You will explore different beekeeping methods and discover how to choose an approach that works for you.

Alongside learning how to care for a colony, you will enjoy honey themed treats and a seasonal two course lunch prepared by our River Cottage chefs. By the end of the day, you will leave with the skills 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

Start your day by meeting your hosts and enjoying tea, coffee, and a tasting of various honeys, including our own River Cottage honey.

SESSION ONE

Tutor Steve will guide you through the fundamentals of beekeeping, covering reasons to keep bees, honey bee behavior, different hive types, and the necessary equipment.

SESSION TWO

Get suited up and walk to the first of the River Cottage apiaries. There, you’ll see different hive styles, meet our bees, and gain hands-on experience with our colonies.

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

Savor treats from the kitchen featuring honey, while diving deeper into the essential steps to set up your own hive and establish your bee 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. 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.

  2. Jeanette
    –

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

  3. S
    –

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

  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.