Starting out in beekeeping is exciting, and it can also be completely overwhelming. Most beginners worry about ending up with a hot, defensive colony, or a weak one that never really gets going. A summer nuc from calm, proven stock takes that worry away. You get healthy bees you’ll actually look forward to opening up.
Reserve your summer nuc. Dispatched from April, in strict date order.
Free UK delivery, and a live arrival guarantee or we replace your colony free.
What is a summer nuc?
A nuc, short for nucleus colony, is a small but complete honey bee colony. It has a laying queen, workers, and brood in all stages, already working together as a unit. A summer nuc is one that’s ready to go from May onwards, once the weather has warmed up and forage is flowing.
Started in May, a well-managed summer nuc has a genuine chance of producing a honey crop in its first season.
Why buy your summer nuc from us
- Calm by design. Temperament is our number one breeding priority, not an afterthought. Beginners rate our bees 10 out of 10 for temperament. They’re so calm you can work them in a t-shirt.
- Mated F1 Buckfast queen. Bred for calm handling, disease resistance, and strong honey production, from lines with more than 75 years of combined family expertise behind them.
- Free Paynes poly nuc. Worth over £75 and included with every order. It’s purpose-built for postal delivery, ventilated, and the best travel home for your bees.
- Safe arrival, guaranteed. Every colony ships Royal Mail Special Delivery. If anything arrives in poor condition, send us a photo and we’ll sort it. No arguments.
- Support every step of the way. Help before, during, and after your colony arrives, plus guides and videos that answer most questions before you need to ask.
We’re DASH accredited and members of the Bee Farmers Association. Fewer than 0.05% of our shipments have a problem, we respond to enquiries within 24 hours, and we dispatch on the date we promise.
When can you get a summer nuc?
Summer nucs are available from May through to June, and we start dispatching from Mayonwards in strict date order. Availability depends on the season, so it’s worth reserving yours early. Once the season’s colonies are spoken for, that’s it until next year.
Is a summer nuc right for you?
A summer nuc is a good fit if:
- You’re starting your first colony and want calm, healthy bees to learn on.
- You’ve lost a colony and want to get going again this season.
- You want to expand your apiary quickly with a strong, laying colony.
- You’d rather start with proven bees than gamble on a swarm or a cut-price nuc of unknown origin.
If you’d prefer a colony that has already come through a winter and is ready to expand fast in early spring, take a look at our Overwintered Nucs instead.
Which summer nuc is right for you?
Every summer nuc we sell is a calm, five-frame Buckfast colony. The only difference is the frame size, and that comes down to your hive.
Got a National hive? National is the British standard and the most common setup in the UK. Choose our Summer Starter Colony – National.
Got a Langstroth or Flow Hive? Flow Hives use Langstroth frames, so you’ll want our Summer Starter Colony – Langstroth.
Not sure which you need? Get in touch before you order and we’ll help you work it out.
Browse the full Starter Colonies range to see everything available this season.
Getting your nuc started
Getting a nuc into your hive is simpler than most people fear. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions with your colony, and we’ve got detailed guides and videos showing exactly how to do it.
In warm summer weather, a five-frame nuc builds quickly. Within a few weeks the queen should be laying across the new frames, and by midsummer a well-managed colony can fill a full hive. If you get stuck at any point, contact us. There are no silly questions.
New to all this? Our guide to Getting Started in Beekeeping covers equipment, setup, and how to give your bees the best possible start.
What beekeepers say
Learn why beekeepers choose us.It's a premium price for a premium product. As with everything you get what you pay for.
I had queens from BMH which I had 50/50 success with probably due to weather but I spoke to Laurance in person on his own mobile number and although he had sold out of nucs for the spring he said he could sort me one out as I was wanting to get a bad start to my bee keeping up and running better for the summer. Yes it was the most I have ever paid for a nuc and I could buy cheaper but a premium price delivered a premium product. I’ve kept bees in the past for several hrs and these very good
The ladies have arrived 🙂
Hi Laurence, Thank you for my Bees :), they arrived this morning, all safe and sound, it’s been a gorgeous day for them, after letting them settle down, and getting them selves orientated for a good few hours, I decided to get them in their brand new national hive this afternoon as it was so nice, they settled in their really quickly and are so gentle, I couldn’t believe how quickly they were come back with pollen on their legs, Looking forward now to the summer ahead, thank you again Laurence
Common Questions
Summer nucs are available from May through to June each season, and we dispatch from April onwards in strict date order, first come first served. Exact availability depends on the season, so it’s worth getting your order in early.
A complete colony on six frames, with a mated F1 Buckfast queen, workers, and brood in all stages. It arrives in a free Paynes poly nuc worth over £75, with introduction instructions included.
Your colony ships in a ventilated Paynes poly nuc via Royal Mail Special Delivery. It’s a signature-required, tracked service, so make sure someone is in to receive it. We’ve shipped thousands of colonies this way and the bees arrive in excellent condition.
Contact us straight away with a photo of what you’ve received and we’ll sort it out. Every colony is covered by our live arrival guarantee. No arguments.
If you have a National hive, choose the National nuc. If you have a Langstroth or a Flow Hive, choose the Langstroth nuc, as Flow Hives use Langstroth frames. If you’re still not sure, get in touch before you order and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Quite possibly. Summer nucs started in May have the best chance, and six frames build faster than five. It depends on your local forage, the weather, and how your colony develops. We won’t promise it, but it’s genuinely possible.
Everything. Contact us before, during, or after your colony arrives, and ask as many questions as you like. There are no silly questions. We’ve also got a library of guides, videos, and live streams covering most of what you’ll ever need as a beekeeper.
Reserve your summer nuc. Dispatched from April, in strict date order.
Free UK delivery, and a live arrival guarantee or we replace your colony free.
