National 'Bee' Events

World Bee Day: 20th May

World Bee Day is celebrated annually, marking the birthday of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping. The event is designated by the United Nations to raise global awareness of the importance of pollinators.

The public can help bees by planting bee friendly plants in their gardens and encouraging their councils to plant wildflower meadows and leave grass verges to allow wildflowers to bloom.

Here in the UK May is a busy time for beekeepers who are tending their bees, watching them progress into strong colonies and often bringing in a spring honey crop depending on the weather and forage available.

The British Beekeepers' Association offers leaflets and information about planting for bees and has a Planting for bees blog available to encourage the public to help support bees by planting more food.

During May the BBKA also supports 'No Mow May' where the public are asked to not mow their lawns to allow wildflowers to grow to provide pollen and nectar as food for all pollinating insects.

If you have a large garden or a suitable area of land then you could consider offering space to beekeepers.

Many associations hold taster days for members of the public to visit apiaries and get to see bees. Beekeepers all over the country do talks to schools, Scouts and Guides, WI, and other organisations all year round. If you'd like to find out more contact your nearest beekeeping association: "Find Beekeeping near you"

Bees' Needs Week: July

An annual event run by Defra which aims to:

raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators
share ideas, actions and activities that highlight the ways in which everyone can help them thrive

National Honey Day: 21st October

A nationwide initiative to spotlight the golden goodness of local British honey and the dedicated beekeepers who produce it. The theme is simple and powerful: Buy Local Honey! Whether from a neighbourhood beekeeper, farm shop, market stall or independent retailer, choosing local honey supports British bees, biodiversity, livelihoods and the craft of beekeeping.

“We want everyone to experience the joy of tasting spring and summer through honey. Each jar of local honey tells a unique story - of flowers like hedgerow bramble, clover, heather or lime - and the weather that shaped the season,” said Diane Drinkwater, Chair of the BBKA.

Despite the UK’s rich beekeeping heritage, only around 14 per cent of the honey consumed domestically is produced here.

Consumers are encouraged to:

Look for honey labelled with the producer’s name and location
Visit local markets and farm shops to discover regional varieties
Ask beekeepers about the floral sources and seasonal character of their honey
Share your honey moments on social media using #NationalHoneyDay.

By choosing local, buyers help sustain pollinator-friendly practices and ensure that honey remains a vibrant part of Britain’s food culture.

Click here for some great recipe ideas using local honey.

Latest

Burnt Basque cheesecake with honey-macerated strawberries

Basque cheesecake is a famously simple, creamy, crustless baked cheesecake with a deep brown, almost blackened top.
World Bee Day

Celebrated each year on 20th May.
Dancing Bees

Honey bee dances are amongst the most fascinating aspects of their complex behaviour.
Swarm Collection

Information to help identify what type of bees you have and who to approach for help and further information. The BBKA can only help with swarms of honey bees.

Dancing Bees

Honey bee dances are amongst the most fascinating aspects of their complex behaviour.
Fascinating Facts about Honey Bees

Honey bees are remarkable insects in many different ways and here are just a few facts that help to make them so special.
What's in the hive?

At the height of summer, a beehive contains a full colony of honey bees of three types; a queen, female worker bees and male drones.
What other things do bees make besides honey?

Honey bees make lots of products beside honey - some to feed their babies and their queen, some to provide them with snug homes and some to keep diseases out of the hive.
Honey

Honey bees are the only insect which makes food that is harvested by humans. Find out the answer to your questions about honey.
Cooking with Honey

Diane Shepstone, Bradford BKA, shares seasonal and delicious recipes using honey.

Find Beekeeping Near You

Please use our BBKA map to find branches and members who can help you on your way to becoming a beekeeper.
Find a local Swarm Collector

If the bees have been identified as honey bees you can enter your postcode to find our nearest volunteer swarm collectors.
Identify & Report Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet

How to identify if the insect in front of you is a 'Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet' and details of how to report any sightings.
Log in information
What bee is this?
Bees in Buildings

Information to help those who find themselves with a honey bee colony which has set up home in the structure of a building.
Site search

Site search using a Google Custom Search Engine
Becoming a Beekeeper

Are you interested in taking up the fascinating hobby of beekeeping but don’t know where to start or want to find out what might be involved?
Identification

Information to help identify what type of bee you have and who to approach for help and further information. The BBKA can only help if they are honey bees.
Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Sightings and Incursion Map

Details of sightings with an incursion map.