Become a member of the BBKA

Membership of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA)

We recommend, particularly if you are a new beekeeper or want to start beekeeping, that you join your local BBKA affiliated beekeeping association who can provide training and support but you are also part of the national organisation. Partner, Junior, Country and School memberships are also available.

By joining the BBKA you are helping to support the charitable objects:

'to advance the education of the public and beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping and promote the importance of bees in the environment'.

Education

Support and mentoring
Practical teaching at the training apiary
Training and education meetings
Online forum for beekeeping support
Beekeeping examinations, from beginner to the highest level
Annual Spring Convention and Exhibition with a full range of lectures and seminars
Webshop with educational books and resources

Insurance & Magazine

£10m third party public & product liability insurance
Monthly membership magazine, BBKA News, posted to you
On-line BBKA News magazine archive which is fully searchable

You can join via your Local Associations

Direct membership of British Beekeepers Association

We strongly recommend (and it will be cheaper) that you join a local association especially if you are a new or inexperienced beekeeper. For experienced beekeepers who prefer to join the BBKA as a Direct Member or who live abroad we offer a direct membership. Please note applications may take up to 10 working days to process.

Education

Beekeeping examinations held to the highest level
Annual Spring Convention and Exhibition with a full range of lectures and seminars
Webshop with educational books and resources
Online beekeeping forum
Support the public by collecting swarms (after two year of membership and having the BBKA Basic Examination qualification.

Insurance & Magazine

£10m third party public & product liability insurance (only for UK & Channel Island residents)
Bee Disease Insurance (England & Wales only)
Monthly full cover membership magazine, BBKA News, posted to you
On-line BBKA News magazine archive which is fully searchable

Please note we do not offer Partner or Junior direct memberships; these are only available via local associations.

If you are already a BBKA Direct Member and wish to renew your Direct Membership, please e-mail [email protected]

If you are a BBKA Direct Member and have a query regarding your existing membership please e-mail [email protected]

To join as a Direct Member please fill in the details below. Please note this form is for new Direct Memberships only.

Apply for BBKA Direct membership

Select where you live:

First Name:

Surname:

Email address:

Latest

New BBKA President says decision to allow neonic use on sugarbeet is distressing

The government has ignored the advice of its scientific advisors and allowed sugar beet farmers to use a banned bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticide in 2022. BBKA President says this decision will not just kill our bees now, but will affect them and the environment for several years to come .
New Area Association

We have a new Area Association in the BBKA voted for at the Annual Delegate Meeting.
ADM 2022 - Saturday 15th January 2022 at 10am

ADM propositions. Voting at ADM. ADM minutes. ADM delegate pack. ADM voting consultation notes.
January In the Apiary

Blog by Jeremy Quinlan

Swarm removal

Beekeepers are often approached about winged, flying creatures, especially in the spring and summer period, when they are their most active simply working and are no cause for alarm. We can only help if they are honeybees.
Find beekeeping near You

Please scroll over our BBKA map to find branches and members who can help you on your way to becoming a beekeeper.
Courses and education

Our charity raises the standards of beekeeping through its exam structure
Log in information
What bee is this?

What bee is this? Pictures of the bumblebees and solitary bees often mistaken for honeybees. Easy ways to identify them.
Honeybee Swarms

A collection of photos of honeybee swarms. Some photos of beautiful honeybees in swarms. It is hoped this page will help the public recognise honeybee swarms and then use the swarm map to find a beekeeper to collect the honeybees!
How do I become a beekeeper?

How do I become a beekeeper? - Why you should join a local association? - Where can I find out about courses? - books that will help
Gardening for bees

We could all do more to plant our gardens for our hungry honeybees.
Identifying Asian Hornet

How to identify an Asian Hornet in three easy steps - a poster you can print - an app you can download
Honey

Honey bees are the only insect which makes food that is harvested by humans. Honey is hailed as and used by humans as a super-food because of its rich antibacterial properties, which has helped to boost the immune systems of those who take it in its raw form for thousands of years.