Beekeeping Courses at Birtley with Guildford Beekeepers Association (GBKA)

GBKA house their Training Apiary here at Birtley and hold both Theory Courses (during the winter months, usually starting in January) and Practical Courses from spring into summer.

For anyone considering becoming a beekeeper it is essential to do both a Theory and a Practical Course. Guildford Beekeepers Association (GBKA) has been running both Theory and Practical Courses for many years and our experience in this field is exemplary. You will be provided with a solid grounding during the 8 week courses, time that is needed to grasp the basics, gain experience and have the confidence to manage bees throughout the year. Trainees are further supported by automatic membership with GBKA during the course, with access to the Association Apiary at weekends. When the trainees acquire their bees, there is a mentoring scheme through which they can contact a more experienced member to help them through the first years.

Taster Sessions

If you are interested in bees or considering doing our full training course do come along to our Taster Session, held on the 4th July 2026 at the Apiary near Bramley from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. During this afternoon session our experienced team will guide you through the life of honey bees, beehives and the work of a beekeeper. It will include practical demonstrations at the hives followed by a question-and-answer session with some delicious refreshments.

Find our more about Guildford Beekeepers Association via our partner pages here or contact them directly if you are interested in attending: courses@guildfordbeekeepers.org.uk