At Lancashire Honey Company, everything starts with the bees.

We keep Buckfast bees. These bees are a hardy, gentle, and highly productive breed originally developed by Brother Adam at Buckfast Abbey in Devon. Known for their calm temperament and excellent honey production, Buckfast bees are perfectly suited to the British climate and the diverse wild forage found across the Lancashire countryside.

Why We Choose Buckfast Bees

Buckfast bees are ideal for responsible beekeeping. They are:

• Gentle in nature, making hive management safer and less stressful for both bees and beekeepers.
• Disease resistant, with strong hygiene behaviours that promote colony health.
• Efficient foragers, producing high yields of honey from the local wildflowers, hedgerows and farmland.
• Well adapted to cooler climates, able to overwinter successfully and thrive in the changeable weather of the north of England.

Our focus is on maintaining strong, resilient colonies through ethical breeding and management practices, ensuring that we always put bee welfare first.

Sustainable Beekeeping

Sustainable beekeeping means more than just harvesting honey — it’s about working with nature, not against it.

Our practices are designed to support long-term bee health and protect the natural ecosystems they depend on. Here's how:

• Minimal Intervention: We allow our bees to behave naturally wherever possible, reducing stress and supporting strong colony behaviour.
• Selective Breeding: We avoid importing bees, instead breeding from our own strong, local colonies.
• No Over-Harvesting: We always leave enough honey for the bees to feed through winter, supplementing only when absolutely necessary.

Growing Our Apiary, One Hive at a Time

As our number of hives grows, so does our commitment to ethical beekeeping. Every decision we make is guided by what is best for the bees. A healthy hive means healthier ecosystems, more pollinated plants, and of course better honey.

• We believe that small-scale, sustainable beekeeping can make a big impact:
• Supporting biodiversity
• Boosting pollination for local crops and wild plants
• Playing a role in reversing the decline of bee populations

Want to Learn More?

We love talking about bees! Whether you're a curious beginner, a school looking to inspire young minds, or a business wanting to learn about sustainability, we offer educational sessions and beekeeping talks to share the story of the honeybee.