The Barnyard Apiaries

Beekeeping Courses
Honey and Wax Products

The Barnyard Apiaries are located in the village of Litlington in South Cambridgeshire. The barns, which were originally working buildings for nearby Mossbury Farm, were converted into dwellings about 25 years ago. The land comprises approximately 1.5 acres including a mature garden, a wild flower meadow, an orchard and small spinney where the beehives are located. The Bee Barn, dating from around 1790, holds the apiary storage, honey processing facility and the teaching room. The mature garden is pollinator centric.

Beekeeping Courses - Dates in 2025 now available..............                  See below.

Beekeeping Courses - Dates in 2025 now available.............. See below.

We run a range of day and half day courses suitable for non-beekeepers and for those with more experience. Jonathan, your instructor, has been a bee keeper for 20 years and was a Seasonal Bee Inspector for five years with the National Bee Unit (Animal and Plant Health Agency).

Learn More
Honey

Honey

From our small scale honey production facility we produce runny and soft set honey.

Learn More
Bees Wax products

Bees Wax products

We sell raw beeswax and beeswax furniture polish.

Learn More
The Barnyard Apiaries' pollinator centric garden is open to course attendees to visit.

The Barnyard Apiaries' pollinator centric garden is open to course attendees to visit.

Have a guided tour of the garden.

Learn More

Survey 2023 Interim Reports

Vicky is undertaking a research project into the impact of honeybees on other pollinators, ie hoverflys, solitary bees and bumblebees and is using the The Barnyard, Litlington as one of her observation sites. She has logged the species she observed during the year.

Bumblebee Species observed at The Barnyard

This graph shows the percentage of different types of bumblebee observed in 2023.

Solitary Bee Species observed at The Barnyard

This graph shows the percentage of different types of solitary bees observed in 2023.

Hoverfly species

This graph shows the percentage of different types of hoverflies observed in 2023.

  • The Bee Barn

  • The Honey Room

  • Teaching Area

  • Summer House

Please wear long sleeved shirt and trousers. Bring wellies. Washing up gloves.
Coffee/Tea and biscuits are provided.
Yes, but for biosecurity reasons, please ensure it is clean.
For biosecurity reasons we only use disposable or washable gloves in our apiaries.
Clean washing up gloves are acceptable.
Vegetable soup, roll and cheese.
Cake.
Of course if you wish, bring your own lunch.
2025 price list:

Bee Aquaint half day session, 9am till 1pm - £55
Good Beekeeping Practical session, 10am till 4pm - £95
Pest and disease recognition session , 9am till 1pm - £55
National Hive building instruction, 9am till 1pm - £55
Custom courses - please contact us with your requirements.

If your course involves a visit to the apiary and the weather is inclement (cold, wet or windy) we will not be able to open the hives.
If the forecast for the day is clearly going to be bad we will contact you the day before the course. In this situation you will receive a full refund or the opportunity of an alternative date.
If we have to cancel a visit to the apiary during the day of the course, you will receive a 50% refund or the opportunity of an alternative date to visit the apiary.

You may cancel at any time up to the day before the course and will receive a full refund.
  • The Barnyard, Silver Street, Litlington,SG8 0QE

Phone or Email Jonathan Baynes