Please note that courses may be affected by Coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions and therefore may be cancelled.

Beekeeping Taster Days at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens

Interested in learning about beekeeping? Want to help the environment? Need a hobby or just love honey? All great reasons to explore the wonder of beekeeping with like-minded people! An HRBKA Taster Day provides the perfect opportunity for you to discover what is involved. HRBKA and the RHS at Harlow Carr work together to provide these courses every summer. Topics include ‘starting up’, ‘where to keep bees’, ‘equipment’ and ‘potential costs’. You also have the chance to visit an apiary and enjoy an ‘up-close-and-personal’ encounter with real bees – weather permitting!

HRBKA Beekeeping Taster Days at RHS Harlow  Carr

Our Beekeeping Taster Days allow you a delightful insight into the wonderful world of bees and beekeeping through talks, demonstrations and as much practical experience as time and weather allow. They have been developed by experienced beekeepers to provide a positive and safe introduction to beekeeping in the hope that you will be inspired to learn much more! Adults and young people (age 16+) are welcome to attend these one-day courses.

We hope the Taster Day experience will inspire you to want to keep bees and, if it does, we recommend you find your local Beekeeping Association and start a Beginners Course (search the Internet for details of an association near you). HRBKA also runs its own comprehensive Beginner Beekeeping Courses every year, designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical experience you need to begin keeping bees safely and well.

Each Beekeeping Taster Day at RHS Harlow Carr commences at 10.00am and concludes at 4.00 pm (approx.)

The morning session in the RHS Bramall Learning Centre includes some theory and some interactive work, to prepare you for the afternoon session. Topics include background information about the honey bee (biology, anatomy & physiology), health and safety, practical aspects of beekeeping (incl. equipment & costs) and what to do next. After a break for lunch (not provided*), the afternoon session takes place in the John Annett Apiary, our purpose-built teaching apiary located in the Southfield area of the beautiful Harlow Carr gardens (weather permitting**) Protective jackets and gloves are provided on loan and you will need to bring loose fitting trousers and Wellington boots or waterproof/washable walking shoes/boots. The afternoon concludes back in the Bramall Centre classroom.

* There are toilets and free tea and coffee facilities provided during the class sessions. Within RHS Harlow Carr there are Bettys Tea Room and Shop or the Bettys Cafe in the garden, where you can purchase food if you do not wish to bring your own lunch.

** Weather permitting – the afternoon session is always a weather-dependent activity. If it is unsuitable weather for inspecting colonies the apiary manager/lead tutor will not proceed with the practical inspections. Alternative activities will be offered.

For 2023 Taster Days are held at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, HG3 1QB.

June      – Saturday 17^th         Sunday 18^th 

July       – Saturday 15th         Sunday 16th 

August  – Saturday 26^th         Sunday 27^th 

Workshop 1 – Beekeeping Taster Day – 17/06/2023

Workshop 2 – Beekeeping Taster Day – 18/06/2023

Workshop 3 – Beekeeping Taster Day – 15/07/2023

Workshop 4 – Beekeeping Taster Day – 16/07/2023

Workshop 5 – Beekeeping Taster Day – 26/08/2023

Workshop 6 – Beekeeping Taster Day – 27/08/2023

Introduction to Beekeeping Taster Day fees  – please see RHS website for details

To apply for a Taster Day at Harlow Carr Gardens please visit the RHS website for further details and application forms – https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/event-search

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.