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

Local Honey Showcase

This will be our third year for an event very popular with the visiting public (and other beekeepers.) Coinciding with National Honey Day on 21st October, our...

APRIL BEGINNERS COURSE 2025

    NOW FULLY BOOKED The weekend ‘Beekeeping for Beginners’ Course will take place on the 26th & 27th of April 2025 and will be followed by a...

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  

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...

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Manchester and District Beekeeper's Association, a group of volunteers based in Heaton Park have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service,...

FLORA: How She Got There

Flora our Bee is now on display at The Dower House. She is part of the Wild-in-Art trail. The story of the painting of Flora by Peter Davis can be viewed on...