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.
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.
Applications for MDBKA membership come from all kinds of backgrounds and levels of experience. Find out more about becoming a MDBKA member.
We offer 2 day Beginner’s Beekeeping theory courses with practical evening sessions during the beekeeping season.
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.
Bees’ Needs and Green Flag Awards 2018 - We have been awarded the Bees' Needs Award 2018 being only one of three awarded to the North of the UK by DEFRA. This is for achievements we have done for bees and pollinators in the environment. Also we have ...more
Bee in the City – Educational Visits - Over the next few weeks a small group of our members here at Manchester & District Beekeepers Association are going to be doing specially developed, half-day, educational visits to local Manchester schools. We have been at Irk Valley Community School ...more
Flora Has Arrived at the Dower House - MDBKA Wild-in-Art, Bee in the City sculpture has arrive. She is in the process of being painted. Members of the public may visit her on Sundays 12:00 to 4:00pm when the Visitors Centre is Open. Our Artis Peter Davis with ...more
Asian hornet identified in Lancashire - The National Bee Unit has confirmed a sighting of a single Asian hornet in Lancashire on Friday 13/4/2018. More information can be found in the DEFRA Press release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-identified-in-lancashire