
If you are interested in taking up beekeeping, we usually run two courses through the year. There is no requirement to join St Albans & District Beekeepers Association in order to attend either course.
Beginners Course (2020 course Postponed)
Our Beginners Course is held in the Spring, generally in March. The course looks at all the various aspects of beekeeping and is designed for those who are looking to start keeping bees in the near future. It also gives an insight into the fascinating world of the Honey Bee for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge.
Beginners Course (2020 course Postponed)
Our Beginners Course is held in the Spring, generally in March. The course looks at all the various aspects of beekeeping and is designed for those who are looking to start keeping bees in the near future. It also gives an insight into the fascinating world of the Honey Bee for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge.
The Beginners Course topics include:
There will many opportunities to ask questions and to meet other novice and experienced beekeepers.
The course is held over four evenings, from 7.30pm to 10.00pm each evening. The venue is to be confirmed.
The course also includes an apiary visit once the bees are active in the new season, usually during April.
The cost of the course will be £85 per person, and includes a copy of the BBKA Guide To Beekeeping Book (RRP £18.99)
2020 Update - The Beginners Course has been postponed and will not be restarted this year. We aim to hold both the 2020 and 2021 courses together next March, assuming Covid regulations allow.
Please contact training@stalbansbees.org for more information.
Bee Awareness Session
The Bees Awareness Session gives a brief overview of bees and beekeeping. It is a “taster” of what is involved in becoming a beekeeper and a primer for the more detailed Beginners Course. You do not have to have attended the Bee Awareness Session in order to attend the Beginners Course.
The 2020 Bee Awareness session was held on the 22nd October via Zoom.
Please contact training@stalbansbees.org for more information or to register your interest for the 2021 session.
- Equipment, cost and time commitment needed
- The lifecycle of the Honey Bee
- Colony management
- Swarm control
- Honey extraction
- Pests & diseases
- What you can expect during your first year of beekeeping
- Advice on hive location and obtaining your first colony of bees
There will many opportunities to ask questions and to meet other novice and experienced beekeepers.
The course is held over four evenings, from 7.30pm to 10.00pm each evening. The venue is to be confirmed.
The course also includes an apiary visit once the bees are active in the new season, usually during April.
The cost of the course will be £85 per person, and includes a copy of the BBKA Guide To Beekeeping Book (RRP £18.99)
2020 Update - The Beginners Course has been postponed and will not be restarted this year. We aim to hold both the 2020 and 2021 courses together next March, assuming Covid regulations allow.
Please contact training@stalbansbees.org for more information.
Bee Awareness Session
The Bees Awareness Session gives a brief overview of bees and beekeeping. It is a “taster” of what is involved in becoming a beekeeper and a primer for the more detailed Beginners Course. You do not have to have attended the Bee Awareness Session in order to attend the Beginners Course.
The 2020 Bee Awareness session was held on the 22nd October via Zoom.
Please contact training@stalbansbees.org for more information or to register your interest for the 2021 session.

Important: Please do not simply turn up to our apiaries without first making an appointment. For safety and insurance reasons we do not allow people on site who are not members of SABKA. We are sorry, but if you visit without a prior appointment, you will be turned away.
We provide displays and exhibitions about beekeeping at a number of events through the year where you are very welcome to talk to us. Please go to our "Events" page for more details.
For further information on Membership,
please contact membership@stalbansbees.org
please contact membership@stalbansbees.org