🐝 Our Bees Have Arrived!
We are delighted to welcome our honey bees to Coombe House Farm. The apiary is an exciting addition to the farm and provides fantastic opportunities to learn about nature, food production, conservation and the important role bees play in our environment.
Why Are Bees Important?
Bees are some of our most valuable pollinators. As they visit flowers collecting nectar and pollen, they help pollinate plants, fruit trees, vegetables, and wildflowers. This supports biodiversity, food production, and healthy ecosystems across the farm and beyond.
By introducing bees to the farm, we are helping to support local wildlife while creating new educational and therapeutic experiences for pupils and visitors.
What You Can Discover
- 🐝 Learn about the fascinating life of a honey bee colony
- 👑 Discover the roles of the queen, workers, and drones
- 🌸 See how bees help pollinate plants, flowers, and fruit trees
- 🍯 Learn how honey is made from flower nectar
- 🌿 Explore the importance of pollinators in food production and conservation
- 🧑🌾 Gain an insight into beekeeping and hive management
Keeping Bees and People Safe
Our apiary is carefully managed to ensure the wellbeing of both our bees and their visitors. The bee area is clearly marked and guidance is provided to help everyone understand how to behave around the hives. Honey bees are generally calm and focused on their work when left undisturbed and we are committed to managing them responsibly and safely.
A Growing Addition to the Farm
The arrival of our bees marks an exciting new chapter for Coombe House Farm. As the colony grows and develops, we look forward to sharing their progress and helping pupils and visitors learn more about these remarkable insects and the vital contribution they make to our environment. 🍯🐝
🧠 Learning About Bees
To support the introduction of the apiary, the farm team has completed specialist beekeeping training, gaining knowledge and practical skills in bee husbandry, hive management, swarm prevention and bee health.
🐝 Brilliant Bee Facts
- Bees have five eyes! Three small ones on top of their head, and two big ones on the sides.
- 🌀 A bee beats its wings about 200 times per second.
- 🍯 Honey never goes off.
- 😊 Bees can recognise human faces.
🐝 Bee Safety at the Farm
Bees are an important part of our farm – they help pollinate our plants and keep flowers, fruit, and vegetables growing!
🧡 Bees are not horrible!
Bees are gentle creatures and they do not want to sting you. A bee will only sting if it feels scared, trapped, or in danger. If we stay calm and respect their space, bees will carry on buzzing about their day without bothering us.
✅ What To Do Around Bees:
- Walk calmly and don’t swat at bees.
- If a bee flies near you, stay still or move slowly away.
- Don’t wave your arms or run – that can confuse them.
- Avoid wearing strong perfumes or bright clothes if you’re worried about bees.
🩹 If You Get Stung:
Don’t worry, bee stings are usually mild and go away quickly.
- Tell an adult straight away.
- The adult may gently remove the sting by scraping it off (not squeezing).
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- A cold cloth can help with swelling.
- If you feel unwell or have trouble breathing, an adult will get medical help immediately.
🌼 Remember:
Bees are helpful, amazing insects, and we’re lucky to have them on the farm. Treat them with kindness, and they’ll leave you alone!
