Bee Experiences
Explore the enchanting world of bees up close, gain practical knowledge and witness the remarkable behaviour of honey bees whilst discovering the invaluable role they play in our ecosystem.
Experience the wonder and be captivated by the buzz at a Sunnyfields Bee Experience!
A Bees-Eye View
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of bees and discover more about the intricate web of pollinators that make our ecosystem thrive. Nestled on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, just a stone's throw away from an expansive ancient woodland and surrounded by fields of wildflowers, the Sunnyfields demonstration apiary awaits. Prepare for an extraordinary visit to the heart of East Anglian countryside, where the gentle hum of bees and the melodious chirping of birds create a serene atmosphere that will transport you away from the buzz of everyday life.
Stacy, our head beekeeper, looks forward to introducing you to the captivating world of the honey bee. Whether you’re seeking a hands-on bee experience or a comprehensive course, we have you covered. Please read on and take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Group or Private Experiences: Share the Wonder
Our bee experiences offer a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with nature, learn about the fascinating world of bees and to understand their importance as pollinators in our ecosystem. Our hands-on, immersive experiences provide a bees-eye view of the hive allowing you to witness the remarkable behaviour of the honey bees up close.
Join us to interact with and to learn about honey bees and the colony they live within. Whether you’re a complete novice interested in bees, ecology or honey, or a nature enthusiast looking to deepen your understanding, our bee experiences are designed to cater to your interests and curiosity. As a testament to the quality of our experiences we’re proud to have been Highly Commended at the East of England Tourism Awards 2022 and shortlisted for Experience of the Year at the Visit England Excellence Awards.
Discover the magic of bees in the company of friends or as part of a mixed group experience. Our private experiences can be booked individually, with a friend or as a memorable family outing. Additionally our popular mixed group experiences are scheduled throughout the season where you can join like-minded visitors in the apiary to explore the hives. Scroll down to see available dates and to book.
For larger interest or corporate groups we also provide customised packages to cater to your specific needs, please visit our Talks and Business pages or contact us for more information.
Your gateway to beekeeping;
Our bee experiences are the perfect way to dip your toes into the captivating world of beekeeping where you witness the honey bees diligently at work.
If you’re captivated by the bees and are ready to embark on your own beekeeping journey, our beginner beekeeper training and mentoring are made for you. Visit our training page to explore our comprehensive offerings and to find the perfect course to suit your aspirations.
Had a brilliant time last week and learnt so much abovt bees I didn’t know.
Stacy explains everything so well and I loved the hands on element.
James Johnston
What to expect:
Each session is unique to the participant(s) and the bees on the day; but expect to get dressed up in a full protective beekeeping suit (where you’re also welcome to pretend to be a ghostbuster or CSI agent!) and view a hive both inside and out with the head beekeeper. You’ll experience the world from a bee’s perspective during your visit that will be filled with wonder, learning, and leave you with a deeper appreciation for these tiny marvels.
During the experience you may have the opportunity to handle frames of bees yourself, if you wish, and will carry out an inspection with the beekeeper - looking for eggs, playing the beekeeping version of Where’s Wally to search out the queen and checking how much honey and pollen they’ve stored. All questions are welcomed.
After the experience you can enjoy some refreshments, along with an opportunity to try some honey!
Please purchase via the link below or via the shop page. Experiences will take place from late-May to the end of August.
How to Book:
Dates and availablity for both group and private bee experiences can be found here or by clicking the button below.
If you already have a voucher for an experience either from Sunnyfields or through ‘Into The Blue’ please choose your preferred date and contact us by the ‘book your experience’ button below
If you would like to purchase a gift voucher for an experience for booking later, there is a voucher without date option for both group and private experiences, please visit the buy now section below or our online shop to purchase.
If you know the date you’d like to attend but haven’t got a voucher yet then please visit the buy now section below or our online shop to purchase. There is a drop down menu that will allow you to select available dates and add to your cart.
Buy Now:
Buying as a gift?
If you’re buying a bee experience as a gift we will send out a voucher pack which will be personalised for the recipient and sealed with a wax seal. Within the envelope they’ll find a voucher along with a letter detailing either how to book their date or with the date they’re booked on, along with information about the experience itself, location and what to bring.
When you book we ask for information about the recipient on a pop-up form so we can email them a week before their experience to remind them and to confirm details. As long as their info is only on this form and not with the payment information they won’t receive anything until a week before their experience.
My daughter who loves bees was so excited and we were not disappointed at all with this experience. We were both given time to handle the bees which was just brilliant. The setting is so tranquil and you just lose time being here. Would definitely recommend this and was well worth the drive up from Essex to this beautiful part of the country.
Gary Jackson
The small print…
We will supply you with a protective bee suit for use during the experience. We cannot guarantee you won’t get stung but will do our very best to ensure you don’t - if you have bee sting allergies this experience isn’t for you.
Experience vouchers are non-refundable.
Experiences are weather dependent. Should an experience have to be postponed a new date will be offered. Weekend and weekday slots are available.
Experience vouchers are valid for one year from purchase.
Location; We run our experiences from our training apiary near Bungay on the Suffolk/Norfolk border (NR35 2DQ). Details with how to find the address are included in the booking confirmation.
Children are welcome to attend experiences, we find ages 6 and up are most interested. A paying adult who will be responsible for the child during the experience is required.