The Noble Bee is looking for a Seasonal Beekeeper to join our team for the 2027 beekeeping season, working from April through to the end of September.

We are a small but growing beekeeping business based at Furzedown Farm, on the edge of the New Forest. We produce award-winning raw New Forest honey, beeswax candles and other hive products. We also run our award-winning Beekeeping Experience Days every Friday from May until August.

Our bees and their welfare are at the heart of everything we do.

The role

Your primary responsibility will be the day-to-day care and management of our approximately 100 honey bee colonies across our different apiary sites in and around the New Forest.

The work will vary considerably throughout the season and will include:
* Carrying out regular hive inspections
* Monitoring colony health, strength and development
* Swarm prevention and management
* Adding and removing supers
* Queen assessment and general colony management
* Identifying and responding to signs of disease, pests and other colony problems
* Moving bees and equipment between apiary sites
* Helping with honey harvesting and extraction
* Maintaining hives, frames and other beekeeping equipment
* Keeping accurate records of colony inspections and apiary work
* Preparing and moving colonies to the New Forest heather
* Preparing colonies for winter
* Expanding colony numbers [including nuc making]
* General practical work around our apiaries and beekeeping operation

Beekeeping is physical work, particularly during the height of the season. The successful applicant should be comfortable working outdoors in all sorts of weather, lifting full honey supers, spending much of the working day on their feet and, importantly, working independently for significant periods of time.

Who we're looking for

We are looking for an experienced beekeeper who is ready to take on significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of our approximately 100 colonies.

The right person will be hardworking, friendly, enthusiastic, reliable and ambitious, with the confidence to manage colonies independently and make sensible beekeeping decisions throughout the season.

We are particularly interested in candidates who already have practical experience managing a number of colonies. Commercial beekeeping experience would be an advantage, but isn't essential. We would also consider someone with a strong practical beekeeping background who is looking to take the next step and develop their skills within a growing commercial beekeeping business.

Just as important to us is finding the right person who fits into The Noble Bee and our friendly ethos. We are a small team, we work hard, but we like to have fun along the way.
For the right person, this seasonal role could develop into a permanent, full-time position, with the opportunity to become an important part of The Noble Bee’s long-term journey and growth.

You will need to be comfortable working independently as well as sometimes working as part of our small team. During the busiest parts of the season, you may also be asked to get involved with other areas of the business, such as attending fairs and food festivals, helping with our Beekeeping Experience Days and generally lending a hand with whatever might pop up.

We are a small business, so there isn't always a strict job description. A willingness to muck in and be flexible is an important part of the role.

A full UK driving licence is essential, as the job involves travelling between our different apiary sites.

About The Noble Bee

The Noble Bee is a growing beekeeping business based at Furzedown Farm near Hythe, on the edge of the New Forest. We are currently a small team of two full-time employees, supported by several part-time members of staff.

Our colonies are located across a number of carefully selected sites, including farmland, woodland, private estates and areas of the New Forest. During the season, colonies are also moved to take advantage of particular nectar flows, including the New Forest heather.

Our approach is centred around good bee husbandry, careful colony management and producing exceptional honey while looking after the bees and the environments they depend upon.

We work hard, but we like to have fun along the way.

This is a great opportunity for someone who loves beekeeping to spend an entire season working closely with honey bees, take genuine responsibility for a substantial number of colonies and become an important part of a growing beekeeping business.

Does this sound like you?

If you think you would be a good fit for The Noble Bee, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via email to info@thenoblebee.co.uk with your CV and a short introduction telling us about your beekeeping experience, practical experience and why you would like to join us for the 2027 season.