About BeezKnees

UK Beekeeping Support, Education and Pollinator Protection

BeezKnees is a UK-focused beekeeping website created to make beekeeping easier to understand, especially when you’re just starting out. Whether you’re choosing your first hive, learning how to inspect confidently, or trying to make sense of seasonal tasks, the goal is simple: clear, practical guidance you can actually use.

Beekeeping in the UK comes with its own challenges — changeable weather, short nectar flows, and common pests such as varroa. That’s why BeezKnees is written with UK seasons and real-world hobbyist experience in mind, linking out to trusted resources such as the National Bee Unit / BeeBase where appropriate.

Who is behind BeezKnees?

BeezKnees was founded by hobbyist beekeeper Colin Chorley. Like many UK beekeepers, the journey started with curiosity — then quickly grew into a love of learning, hands-on practice, and (inevitably) a long list of questions that needed plain-English answers.

The site grew from the idea that beginners shouldn’t have to dig through confusing jargon or scattered advice to do the basics well. BeezKnees aims to be supportive and practical — the kind of resource you can come back to before an inspection, during swarm season, or when something doesn’t look quite right.

What you’ll find here

The site is organised so you can either learn step-by-step or jump to exactly what you need. Core areas include:

  • Getting started: how to begin beekeeping in the UK, what to expect, and how to build confidence.
  • Equipment: what’s essential, what’s optional, and what helps most when you’re new.
  • Seasonal tasks: month-by-month guidance so you know what’s normal and what needs action.
  • Hive health: how to recognise problems early, reduce risk, and get the right help.
  • Helping pollinators: practical ways to support bees — even if you don’t keep hives.
  • Honeybee facts: simple explanations of anatomy, behaviour and pollination — no fluff.

Why record-keeping matters (and what HiveTag does)

Good beekeeping is mostly about noticing patterns. When did queen cells appear? What was the temper like last inspection? How quickly was a super filled? Keeping reliable notes helps you learn faster and make better decisions — especially through the UK season.

That’s where HiveTag comes in: the BeezKnees members area designed to help you record apiaries, hives and inspections in one place. There’s a free tier to get started, with optional Premium for unlimited use and NFC hive tag support. Visit the members area.

A supportive UK beekeeping resource

You don’t need acres of land or decades of experience to keep bees — just curiosity, care, and a willingness to learn. Whether you’re planning your first hive or improving your inspections, BeezKnees is here to help you build confidence and keep your colonies healthy.

If you’d like to get in touch, use the contact page. If you spot a swarm and aren’t sure what to do, read Report a Swarm.