Welcome to MDBKA

Manchester and Lancashire area beekeeper training for anyone who wishes to learn the craft of beekeeping
Manchester & District Beekeepers’ Association (MDBKA) is a UK charity (number: 1159052).

We train and educate our members in the art of beekeeping through a range of courses, lectures, study and practical experience.
As part of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) our members enjoy a range of benefits including – BBKA News, Insurance and much more.

Dower House in Heaton Park, Prestwich (see Street View) is our Headquarters.
We have a public viewing area, extraction room and a bee garden (apiary), with bee friendly plants. There are a number of bee hives in the apiary and also a safe observation hive in Dower House where you can watch the bees going about their business.
Manchester and District Beekeeping Association  Dower House HQ

Visitors of all ages are welcome and we are open every Sunday.

However please check our Events Calendar BEFORE you travel.

Opening Times
Winter: Open at 12:00 close at 15:00 GMT
Summer: Open at 12:00 close at 16:00 BST

You can also purchase the excellent Manchester Beekeepers Honey gathered from our own apiaries as well as other bee related products.

MDBKA Services, Membership, Training and Education

MDBKA Honey Bee Swarm Service

Swarm Service

Do you think you may have a swarm of Honey Bees? We can help.

MDBKA Membership

Join Us

Applications for MDBKA membership come from all kinds of backgrounds and levels of experience. Find out more about becoming a MDBKA member.

MDBKA Training

Training

We offer a Beginner’s Beekeeping theory course on Zoom with practical evening sessions during the beekeeping season.

MDBKA Visitors Centre

Visitors Centre

Find out how you can help bees and other pollinators. View our observation hive – children in particular find this fascinating. Enjoy the taste of local honey.

News & Events

DOWER HOUSE REOPENING

The Dower House visitors centre reopens today 11th February. Again we apologise for any inconvinience last weeks closer may have caused.

Foulbrood Talk

Foulbrood - where is it? what can we do about it? Caroline Coughlin, Seasonal Bee Inspector, provides up-to-date information on the issues of foul brood. -...

IMPROVERS COURSE 2024

  This is open to all beekeepers who are members of MDBKA and have kept their own bees for 2 full seasons. The start date will be Monday 22th April 2024...

BEEKEEPING TASTER DAYS 2024

Not sure if beekeeping is for you or you just want to find out a little more about beekeeping and experience an active colony of bees? If so, our taster...

SEPTEMBER BEGINNERS COURSE 2024

SEPTEMBER BEGINNERS COURSE 2024: The Weekend Beekeeping for Beginners Course will take place on the weekend of 21st & 22nd of September 2024 and will be...

City Centre/Rooftop Beekeeping

Thinking about putting a hive on your roof? Interested in helping bees by keeping bees? Read this to learn more and join our pollinator-friendly scheme!

ASIAN HORNET INVASION

Help the Fight Against the Asian Hornet Invasion  

APRIL BEGINNERS COURSE 2024

NOW FULLY BOOKED APRIL BEGINNERS COURSE 2024: The Weekend Beekeeping for Beginners Course will take place on the weekend of 20th & 21st of April 2024 and...

If you are not receiving the BBKA Magazine or MDBKA Newsletter

If you are not receiving the BBKA Magazine or MDBKA Newsletter your membership has lapsed. You are not insured and will not be insured for 40 days after you...

GREEN FLAG AWARD 2023/24

Manchester and District Beekeepers' Association have once again been given the prestigious Green Flag for Community Groups. Awarded by the Ministry of Housing...