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.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
Whether you're choosing your first hive, learning how to inspect a hive 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.
Clear guidance
Plain-English help for beginners and hobbyist beekeepers who want practical answers, not jargon.
UK-focused
Written around UK seasons, forage patterns, pests and the real rhythm of the beekeeping year.
Built for action
From learning and inspections to apiary records, the aim is to help you do the basics well.
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 and queen management, or when something doesn't look quite right.
Built to make beekeeping clearer
At its heart, BeezKnees exists to make beekeeping feel less overwhelming. The aim is not to drown people in theory, but to help them understand what matters, what is normal, and what needs action.
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.
Monthly 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, including the bee health checker.
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 and making better decisions over time.
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 if you are following a consistent step-by-step hive inspection routine 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, following a month-by-month beekeeping calendar, 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.
About BeezKnees FAQ
BeezKnees is a UK-focused beekeeping website offering practical guidance, seasonal advice and beginner-friendly resources for caring for honeybees and supporting pollinators.
BeezKnees was created by hobbyist beekeeper Colin Chorley to make beekeeping clearer and more accessible for UK beginners and enthusiasts.
Yes. BeezKnees is written specifically with beginners and early-stage UK beekeepers in mind, focusing on clear explanations and practical advice.
Yes. All guidance is written for UK seasons, forage patterns, common pests and diseases, and links to trusted UK resources where appropriate.
No. BeezKnees also provides guidance for people who want to help pollinators through gardening, awareness and conservation.