Start Your Beekeeping Journey with Confidence
If you’ve been thinking about keeping bees, this is your moment.
Our beekeeping course in Dorset is designed especially for beginners, giving you the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on experience to get started the right way.
No experience needed. Just curiosity. Register your interest below.
Why Choose EDBKA for Beekeeping Training?
Learning something new can feel daunting. However, with the right support, it becomes exciting, rewarding, and even a little addictive.
With East Dorset Beekeepers Association, you’ll benefit from:
- Friendly, experienced beekeepers guiding you every step
- A relaxed, welcoming environment (no pressure, no jargon overload)
- A balance of theory and real hands-on experience
- Ongoing support even after your course finishes
In other words, you won’t just learn — you’ll feel part of something.
What You’ll Learn (Step-by-Step)
📚 Phase 1: Classroom Learning (Broadstone)
Firstly, you’ll attend six engaging evening sessions (2 hours each), led by an experienced beekeeper.
During these sessions, held in a relaxed classroom-type setting on a Monday evening you will learn:
- The BBKA Basic Beekeeping syllabus covering
- The differences between the bees and their lifecycle.
- Natural history of bees and their behaviour
- How hives work and the equipment you need
- How to manage swarming
- How to identify pests and diseases
In addition, the course follows the BBKA Basic Beekeeping syllabus, ensuring high-quality, trusted training.
Phase 2: Hands-On Apiary Experience (West Moors)
Secondly, you’ll step into the real world of beekeeping.
At our West Moors apiary, (usually on a Saturday morning) you will:
- Open and inspect live hives with experienced beekeepers
- Learn to handle bees safely and confidently
- Spot the Queen, drones and worker bees
- Apply everything you’ve learned in real conditions
As a result, you won’t just understand beekeeping — you’ll be ready to do it.
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is perfect if you:
- Are completely new to beekeeping
- Want to try before committing to your own hive
- Enjoy nature, sustainability, and outdoor learning
- Are looking for a rewarding and mindful hobby (although not a cheap one!)
Even if you’re unsure, this is the safest and most supportive way to find out.
What Happens Next?
Once you register your interest below:
- We’ll contact you with course dates (Spring course usually starts in March in Broadstone)
- You’ll receive full joining details
- You’ll be welcomed into our friendly beekeeping community
👉 Register your interest below — spaces are limited
Join a Supportive Beekeeping Community
To take part, you’ll need to join EDBKA:
- Associate Membership: £17/year 2026
- Full Membership: £38/year (includes BBKA membership) 2026
Membership gives you:
- Access to ongoing apiary sessions
- Talks, events, and seasonal workshops
- A network of experienced beekeepers ready to help
👉 View membership details here
Why People Love Beekeeping
There’s something truly special about opening your first hive.
The sound, the movement, the calm focus — it’s unlike anything else.
And then, one day, you realise… you’re doing it.
We’ll help you get there.
Take the First Step Today
If you’re searching for a beekeeping course in Dorset, this is the perfect place to begin.
👉 Register your interest for the next beginner course below
👉 Start your beekeeping journey with EDBKA
If you would like further details of this course or others in the future, please let us know by sending us your details in the form below.