New-Bees at Bovey
Bovey Castle has introduced five hives of bees on the hotel estate; the bees on the estate are a strain of Honey Bee (Apis Millifera) known as the Buckfast Bee; they are extremely gentle and highly productive, with each hive housing approximately 60,000 to 80,000 bees. A member of the British Beekeeper’s Association, David Tomkins the Bovey Castle bee keeper has been keeping bees for over 25 years, in Yorkshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire and has recently relocated to Devon where he has a number of hives near Kellacott. David has sold his Devon honey to many outlets and farm shops during this time. “I welcome the opportunity to work with Bovey Castle as I can see it has all the ethics of local provenance and quality”.
Why Bees?
Honey bees are a vital part of the pollination process of food crops; with more honey bees globally than any other bee type, or pollinating insects. Bees pollinate approximately one third of all food each day, along with birds; bats and other insects.
Here at Bovey Castle we want to give back to the environment with the decrease of honeybees in the UK. We are proud to be helping to contribute to the environment and to become more sustainable as a business.
Bovey Bee Experience
Starting next year, guests at Bovey Castle will be able undertake the Bovey Bee Experience, providing guests with a one hour bee keeping experience with our resident bee keeper and bees. Guests are suited up, before heading to the hives, to undertake a unique experience on the Bovey Castle Estate. In addition, 340g jars of Bovey Castle honey will be available for sale in the Bovey Shop for £12.95 and Bovey Castle Honey will be making an appearance in our afternoon teas and will feature in the ‘Honey and Rosemary Macaroon’.
Download our recipe for our ‘Devonshire Honey Cake’ using Bovey Castle Devon honey.
