About Us

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We have between 10 and 15 colonies, located in the beautiful Test Valley in the heart of Hampshire. These colonies are located on farms near the village of Upper Clatford. The photo above shows one of our hives, each of which will have in the order of 50,000 bees at the height of summer.

We therefore have a very significant workforce, who work 24/7 on our behalf, collecting nectar and pollen and other essentials for their survival! In return, we provide them with a customised, dry and safe environment in which to live, close to good forage and access to water.

It is a happy symbiosis!

The Team

Our Queen Bees

The Queen determines the character of the colony – and its work ethic.

The Queen Bee with her attendants

A colony normally only has one queen and she is essential to their survival and success.

Our Worker Bees

Each colony will have about 40,000 to 50,000 worker bees at the peak in mid summer.

These workers bring in pollen (see picture) and nectar. The nectar provides a source of nutrition and some is converted to honey comb, the source of the wax in your wax wrap.

Our Drone Bees

There are a few hundred drones in a colony in mid summer.

They are the “lads” and fly in drone corridors waiting to mate with new virgin queens. As that is their sole purpose – the colony kicks them out in autumn!