As part of our biodiversity program at The Hayes, we’ve installed two beehives within the grounds of our conference centre.
The bees that will live in these new hives will arrive throughout the Spring as the weather warms up. Each hive holds 40,000 bees when at full capacity. We’re starting with 20,000 bees which will double in number as they reproduce in the summer months. The bees will then start to fill these hives with honey that we will be selling in our shop as Hayes Honey and the beeswax will be made into candles.
This is all part of a wider biodiversity project for our Derbyshire centre which also includes developing natural hedgerows, creating rewilding areas and installing bat boxes. The beehive project has taken 6 months to set up as we have worked with a local beekeeping organisation in Derby to ensure that we are doing everything in the right way. A qualified beekeeper manages the hives for us and collects the honey and wax as needed.
Those that know The Hayes in Swanwick, will appreciate that the bees won’t go unworked! There are thousands of plants and flowers on the 100-acre site and many more in the surrounding area.
If you are staying at The Hayes this summer look out for the homemade honey, which will be available in our shop to purchase and take home.
