Something sweet has arrived at Highgate House, and it has wings! On the 4th of June 2025, our Northamptonshire centre welcomed a brand-new colony of honey bees, joining our other venues, The Hayes and High Leigh, in supporting biodiversity through beekeeping.
With around 55,000 resident bees now buzzing happily, the hive is already playing an important role in the life of the area; and soon, in the kitchen too.
The hive can be viewed at a distance on the countryside walk at Highgate House.
A hive with purpose
The bees at Highgate House are Apis mellifera, commonly known as honey bees. These hardworking insects have been brought in not only to enhance local pollination but also to create two natural products: honey and beeswax candles. It’s a beautiful blend of sustainability and stewardship, and it reflects our wider commitment to caring for the God’s creation.
Life in the hive
The colony will follow a well-established yearly cycle. In spring, the bees focus on reproducing and swarming; a natural instinct to ensure the survival of the species. As summer progresses, their mission shifts to storing up enough honey to see them through the winter months, when they hunker down inside the hive to stay warm and fed.
It’s a delicate balance and one that depends on many variables, especially the famously unpredictable British weather!
Two members of Highgate House staff are being trained to look after the hive.
Foraging in the flowers
So, where do our bees collect nectar? Highgate House and the surrounding area provide a rich variety of plant life such as;
- Lime blossom
- Hawthorn blossom
- Meadowsweet
- Blackberry blossom
As they gather nectar from these local plants, the bees also perform a vital job: pollinating the flowers and encouraging stronger plant growth. It’s a quiet but essential contribution to the health of our gardens and the wider local ecosystem.
How much honey will they make?
While it’s tricky to predict an amount; weather, nectar flow, and hive health all play a role; our beekeeper estimates a possible harvest of 10 to 15 kilograms per colony in the future.
Once it’s ready, we hope to incorporate the honey into our meals and sell it in our gift shop, offering guests a taste of something truly local, fresh, and home-grown.
We’re excited to see how the hive grows and to share its gifts with our guests in the months and years ahead. Beekeeping may be a small part of what we do, but it’s one that reflects the bigger picture of who we are: a trust committed to sustainability, hospitality, and thoughtful care for creation.
