Become a member of the BBKA

Membership of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) brings many rewards

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.

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

Insurance & Magazine

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

Other benefits

Annual Spring Convention and Exhibition with a full range of lectures and seminars
Webshop with educational books and resources
Appear on the online swarm collectors map
Discounts from suppliers to help set up as a beekeeper
5% discount for all members from National Bee Supplies

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.

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

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

Benefits

Online beekeeping forum
Appear on the online swarm collectors map (after two year of membership and having the BBKA Basic Examination qualification.
5% discount for all members from National Bee Supplies.

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]

To join as a Direct Member please fill in the details below. Any application received during the last working week of the month will be responded to during the first week of the following month.

Apply for BBKA Direct membership

Select where you live:

First Name:

Surname:

Email address:

Latest

Professor Ian Gibson PhD

Article by Tim Lovett, BBKA Past President.
What bee is this?

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

Resources for Associations and Branches Risk assessments meeting minutes executive meeting minutes summary

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
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
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!
What bee is this?

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

If you suspect you have sighted an Asian Hornet please find more information here about what to do next!
Gardening for bees

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