Answers to the questions we’re asked most about our raw Kent honey, experience days and bees. Can’t find what you need? Email info@bramblefarmbees.com or call 07774 707736.
Our honey
Yes. Our honey is cold-extracted, only lightly strained and never heated or pasteurised. It keeps its natural enzymes, pollen and flavour, which is why each harvest tastes slightly different.
Every jar comes from our own six apiaries across the North Kent Downs, around Detling and Maidstone. Our Buckfast bees forage on wildflowers, hedgerows and farmland in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Crystallising is natural and a sign of raw honey, not a fault. To make it runny again, stand the jar in warm (not hot) water and stir. Our soft-set honey is deliberately crystallised to be smooth and spreadable.
No. The NHS advises not giving honey to babies under 12 months old. This applies to all honey, raw or not.
Many customers like to eat local honey during hay fever season, but the scientific evidence is limited and we don’t make health claims. We’d always suggest speaking to your GP or pharmacist about hay fever.
From this season we record our hives, inspections and treatments in NectarLedger, software we built so our records can be checked rather than just trusted, and every harvest from now on will be recorded too. It won’t let honey from a treated hive into a batch until the withdrawal period has cleared. We don’t put a scannable code on our jars yet, but that’s the next step. See how we prove our honey.
Yes, anywhere in the UK. We aim to dispatch within 2–3 working days, carefully packed. Delivery is calculated by weight at checkout. Local collection from our farm at Detling is available by appointment.
Our honey subscription: raw Kent honey delivered monthly or every two months, with free UK delivery. You can pause, skip or cancel at any time, and it makes a lovely gift. Join the Honey Club.
At Rochester Farmers’ Market on the third Sunday of each month, and in two Kent farm shops: Mierscourt Farm General Store in Rainham and Frankie’s Farm Shop in Staplehurst. From 2027 you’ll also find it at Mid-Kent Golf Course in Gravesend. You can also arrange collection from our farm at Detling.
Our natural beeswax paw and nose balm is stocked by The Hound Hut, in Rochester and at The Oval in London.
Yes. We supply local shops, cafés and restaurants. Email info@bramblefarmbees.com to talk about wholesale.
Experience days
Discover Beekeeping (a half day with the bees), Beeswax Candle Making (a half-day workshop), a Full Day combining both, Children’s Meet the Bees for ages 6–12, private experiences for your own group, and corporate team days. See all experience days.
May to September. Dates for the 2027 season, 7 May to 5 September, are open for booking now on our experience days page.
None at all. Our sessions are designed for complete beginners, and we explain everything as we go.
We provide a full bee suit and gloves, start with a safety briefing, and stay with you throughout. Stings are uncommon but possible with live bees. Please tell us about any bee or honey allergy before you book.
Closed shoes or boots and long socks. We provide bee suits and gloves. For the Full Day, please bring a packed lunch. Tea, coffee and a honey tasting are included.
Discover Beekeeping is for ages 9 and over, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Children’s Meet the Bees is for ages 6–12, with a parent or guardian on site.
Bees shouldn’t be opened in rain, strong wind or cold. If conditions aren’t safe, we’ll contact you and rebook you onto another date.
You can move your booking once with at least 7 days’ notice. Cancellations within 7 days aren’t refundable unless we can fill your place. If something genuinely unexpected comes up, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.
Buy a voucher for any experience, and the recipient chooses their own date on our voucher redemption page. Vouchers are valid for 12 months; if you need a little longer, just ask.
Bramble Farm, Scragged Oak Road, Detling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3HL. Parking is on site at the farm.
Bees and beekeepers
Yes. We sell mated Buckfast queens and nucleus colonies on BS National frames, available May to June. Collection only, from Detling. See queens and nucs.
Yes, free of charge, across north Kent. Call 07774 707736 as soon as you can, as swarms move on quickly.
Yes. Individuals, families and businesses can sponsor a hive, with a name plaque, honey through the year and regular updates. See hive sponsorship.