These bees are kept in a secluded sweet chestnut woodland owned by a Buddhist Monastery. The area is so tranquil that we usually stop here for lunch, sitting on a fallen tree that has been carved into a bench, watching the wild life and bees quietly buzzing and going about their business. In the spring there are plenty of woodland wildflowers for them as well as holly trees with their exquisite small flowers. In the summer the bees fly directly upwards into the sweet chestnut trees! As the sweet chestnut is coming to an end of their flowering, there is an abundance of brambles, then himalayan balsam, following on to the bell and ling heathers, finishing the season working the ivy. Occasionally we have had honeydew from this site - rich dark yet sweet strong honey that is sort after by many.

The ivy honey is stronger and crystallised. The earlier runny honey is dark and from the sweet chestnut and brambles.

Currently, there has been an abundance of spring woodland flowers as some of the woodland has been coppiced. This is the current honey we are supplying until the new season sweet chestnut has been brought in by the bees.