Try Beekeeping for Free
No experience. No equipment. No booking needed.
Project Apis CIC runs free community apiary sessions across Norfolk and Suffolk, giving people the chance to learn about bees, spend time outdoors, meet others, and get involved at their own pace.
You do not need to own a hive, buy a bee suit, or know anything about beekeeping before you come along. Our regular community apiary sessions are free to attend and open to beginners.
Just turn up and see what it is like
Our community apiaries are relaxed, friendly spaces where people can learn by watching, helping, and taking part when they feel ready.
Some people come because they want to learn practical beekeeping. Others come because they want to spend more time outdoors, meet new people, build confidence, volunteer, or feel part of something local and positive.
There is no pressure to do everything straight away. You can watch, ask questions, meet the group, and get involved at a pace that feels right for you.
Watch first
You do not have to open a hive on your first visit. It is completely fine to observe, ask questions, and build confidence slowly.
Learn by doing
When you feel ready, you can help with simple practical tasks under guidance, depending on the weather, season, and bees.
Spend time outdoors
Community beekeeping gives people a reason to get outside, slow down, and connect with nature in a practical way.
Meet local people
Our apiaries are shared community spaces where people can come together around bees, pollinators, and outdoor learning.
Who can come along?
Our free community apiary sessions are open to beginners and people who are curious about beekeeping, nature, volunteering, and pollinators.
You do not have to be confident. You do not have to know the right words. You do not have to have your own equipment. You just need to be interested.
This is Beekeeping Without Barriers: a way to get involved with bees, nature, and community without the cost or pressure of starting alone.
Private Apiary Sessions
Alongside our free community apiary sessions, we also offer private apiary sessions as a paid service.
These can work well for schools, community groups, families, people with additional needs, support organisations, care settings, youth groups, and anyone who would benefit from a quieter or more tailored beekeeping experience.
Private sessions can be discussed around the needs of the group, the season, the weather, access, confidence levels, and what people would like to get from the experience.
Enquire About a Private Apiary SessionFree community apiary sessions
These sessions are free to attend and do not need booking. Just come along to one of our regular community apiary locations.
Sessions are weather dependent because we can only open hives safely in suitable conditions.
What happens at a session?
Depending on the weather, the season, and the bees, a session may include watching a hive inspection, learning how a colony works, helping with simple hive checks, using beekeeping tools safely, learning about pollinators, or helping with planting and hive care.
Our sessions are about more than beekeeping lessons. They are about learning, wellbeing, confidence, local connection, and hands-on bee education.
Honeybees
Learn how a colony works, what beekeepers look for, and how bees change through the season.
Pollinators
Learn about honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees, planting, habitats, and why wider pollinator support matters.
Practical skills
Get used to beekeeping tools, protective clothing, hive parts, and simple apiary tasks at your own pace.
Community
Spend time with others in a calm outdoor space and be part of a local project that supports people and nature.
What do I need to bring?
We provide protective equipment where needed, including bee suits and gloves.
Please wear sensible outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes. In warm weather, please bring water with you, as bee suits can get hot quickly.
If you have a known bee sting allergy, asthma, or any concern about being near bees, please speak to us before taking part.
Would a private session suit you better?
Our free sessions are open community sessions, which means they are relaxed, informal, and shared with others.
If you are looking for something more tailored, such as a school visit, family activity, small group experience, session for people with additional needs, or a quieter introduction to beekeeping, a private apiary session may be a better fit.
Come and try community beekeeping
You do not need to book our free community apiary sessions. Choose a location, come along at the session time, and see what Project Apis CIC is all about.
For private apiary sessions, school visits, group activities, family sessions, or support needs, please contact us first so we can talk through what would work best.