Porteath Bee Centre

Porteath Bee Centre

St. Minver, Wadebridge, PL27 6RA
Tel: (01208) 863718

Don't get stung

Porteath Bee Centre really started as a hobby. Heather started keeping bees in 1970 when a local beekeeper sadly passed away and his wife wanted the bees gone. Heather being an accommodating person took them in and a home for the three hives were found.

In 1979 the hives of bees were on Eddie’s land in Porteath. Eddie became fascinated during those warm summer afternoons watching the bees buzzing back and forth bringing in the different pollen. However, there were the odd occasions when Eddie would get a little too inquisitive which often resulted in a sting to the nose! Not discouraged by any nasal discomfort Eddie decided he wanted his own hives and the following year both Heather and Eddie started to increase their hives making nuclei and selling honey at the door.

In 1987 they started a little shop underneath Porteath farmhouse calling themselves Porteath Bee Supplies, selling a range of bee supply equipment and making their own polishes and candles. Two years later in 1989 the Porteath Bee Centre was built and the following year opened the Living Honey Bee Exhibition. In 1993 the shop was extended and in 1995 the Beehive Tearoom was opened where morning coffee and cream teas are now served.

In the Living Honey Bee Exhibition, the beehives are kept behind glass fronted display cabinets housed in the walls that lead out into the open air. It’s a great opportunity to get really close and observe the bees darting around specially provided post boxes and hollow logs totally uninhibited by your viewing pleasure. And best of all no risk of getting stung!

Educational talks can be provided by arrangement and lots of information is displayed on the walls, and an educational video is available to watch. Old and new beekeeping equipment is on display and you will get to learn all about the history of beekeeping.

Children especially enjoy learning about bees and the whole family can purchase our delicious. Exhibition Cornish honey collected by our bees and bottled on the premises. Seeing first hand the bees, hives and honeycomb as well as how the honey is turned in to what you buy in the shops is a valuable educational tool for both young and old.

The bee centre closed in October 2023.

Location

One mile east of Polzeath.

Living bee exhibition behind glass.
See the honey bees working and storing in their natural habitat as well as continuous descriptive videos.
Craft shop including honey products (ice cream, cosmetics etc.) as well as beeswax candles and polishes etc.
Coffee shop and picnic area.

Now Closed

Polzeath       Wadebridge       Rock       Port Isaac