Staincross Apiaries

Nestled in Staincross, Barnsley, with picturesque views towards Penistone, our family smallholding is a slice of paradise in South Yorkshire. Here, amidst the tranquility, we delve into the hives to reveal the intricate process behind each jar of honey we offer.

Our 40-acre haven is also home to a friendly flock of free-range chickens. My journey with honeybees began in 2006, and since 2012, I’ve been blending my love for bees with my passion for education. Initially managing two hives with my dad, our project blossomed into 40 hives, a testament to our shared enthusiasm and occasional familial debates.

After losing my dad in 2010, I carried on our beekeeping legacy, supported by my mum, who’s become an invaluable part of our beekeeping adventures, especially during extraction. In 2019, we unveiled our bee classroom, excited to share our knowledge and experiences. We invite you to join us for a beekeeping experience day, where we explore the fascinating world of honey bees together. [read our story here]

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A Little Owl keeps visiting. Often during the daytime. ... See MoreSee Less
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In the picturesque region of northeastern France, a group of beekeepers encountered a curious and colorful dilemma in August 2012. Their bees, known for producing honey of the purest golden hues, began to return to their hives with nectar that transformed their harvest into shades of blue and green. This unusual occurrence puzzled the beekeepers until they discovered the source of the vibrant colors: a nearby M&M’s factory.The factory, which processed waste from candy production, had been disposing of sugary residues in a manner that attracted the local bee population. The bees, drawn to the high-energy waste, incorporated it into their nectar collection routines. As a result, the honey produced bore the unmistakable mark of the confectionery’s bright dyes.While the honey retained its natural sweetness, the unconventional colors rendered it unsellable, leaving the beekeepers in a sticky situation. The incident highlighted the unintended consequences of industrial waste on local wildlife and the importance of responsible waste management. In response, the biogas plant responsible for processing the candy waste implemented measures to prevent future bee access, ensuring the integrity of the region’s honey production and the well-being of its invaluable pollinators.Text credit: Earth UnrealImage credit: Vincent Kessler ... See MoreSee Less
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These look sweet!Honey jars with bees£18 each ... See MoreSee Less
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I had the pleasure of visiting Clare and Martin at Buckfast Abbey yesterday. A beautiful and idyllic setting. Clare was experimenting with coloured syrup in the observation hive to see how the bees move around stores in response to incoming nectar sources. Another experiment is the foundation-less frames using a plywood insert to allow the bees to choose the comb that they draw. If you are down there, a trip to Buckfast Abbey might be just the tonic! www.buckfast.org.uk/bees/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy World Bee Day! ... See MoreSee Less
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