Trip to Devon - what to do....

[region2]

I've got 4 or 5 days in Devon coming up next week - can anyone recommend any bee-related visits for me and the wife?

R2

ps. please don't recommend Trago Mills!!!

 

[Hivemaker.]

Quince honey farm,south molton,north Devon.

 

[the naked beekeeper]

Devon's a big place, so it depends where you are, but a trip to Buckfast on the South for sentimental value might be nice.

On the north coast of Cornwall there's Portreath bee centre. Might be a bit of a drive though.

There's Quince Honey farm...but do check their opening hours.

And also National Bee Supplies in Okehampton if you wanted to stock up on some gear.

 

[Queens59]

Ditto all above.

Quince has the good the bad and the ugly - but the observation hives are quite interesting as to what bees tolerate...and the leaf cutter ants in the kids area are good fun to watch - shop very overpriced though.

You could try contacting Clare at Buckfast to see if you could pop in for a chat - but at this time of year there isn't a great deal happening. They are creating a new bee dept. but not yet. The community apiary is being torn up and replanted at the moment - but the gardens are pretty

Okehampton is good - but a bit expensive...I priced my wax order and they lost by £30+

I have hives - but no reason to disturb - so can't unfortunately offer a tour, but could offer cake & coffee or tea.

Not hot on bee related activities I'm afraid - summer Buckfast Community Apiary is good for a visit with a member or by calling/emailing the dept...

 

[region2]

Quince honey farm,south molton,north Devon.

I went to school near there!

R2

Ps thanks for all the tips!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Quince honey farm,south molton,north Devon.

I remember going there as a child and taking my child some 35 years later.

 

[region2]

I'm in Devon!

Didn't go quite to plan - journey somewhat thwarted by blaze in Crediton, lorry crash in Tiverton and North Devon Link Road closed due to accident - none were really my fault I hasten to add...

National Bee Supplies - very helpful staff but in the middle of a premises change (to more-or-less next door) so a bit chaotic. Spent a pound on a wick for the wife's new hobby (she doesn't know yet) and then off to South Molton for...

Quince Honey Farm - couldn't have been less helpful if they tried. Woman behind counter kept saying they were closed when they were clearly open but the exhibit was closed. I asked to taste the Exmoor Heather Honey - I was handed the metal spoon and the jar and abandoned. Tasted so good that I bought a jar but was offered no help with what to do with the sticky spoon etc so cleaned it off with a tissue and left it on the counter. Trying to chat about the history of the place resulted in a disinterested conversation. Would I go back - probably not...

R2

 

[AnotherNewBee]

I went to Quince Honey Farm last year (in March, IIRC). It seemed more geared towards entertaining kids. Not impressed.

My day out, yesterday, didn't go according to plan either. Went to a meeting just north of where I live. Wrong day. I should have gone this morning. Ooops. Oh well. Decided to head along the A30 to find Th**nes (near Stockbridge) to have a look at a Bees on a Budget national hive. Eventually found Th**nes. No BoaB stuff. Bought a book and headed home. Broke down (dead fuel pump). Spent 3 hours about 25 miles from home (and completely blocking a farm entrance) waiting for my local garage to pick me up.

Couldn't get to meeting this morning. Shame - it might have been useful 'networking' as I need some useful contacts in that area and these people would have had just the right local knowledge.

The total bill to get the car back on the roads for another year will be about £500, so it might be just as well Th**nes didn't have any BoaB stock in Stockbridge. I did have a nice cup of tea and a chat, though. Expensive cup of tea.

 

[region2]

BoaB at Thornes are online only really it seems - they're ok quality wise IMHO

R2

 

[luckydunny]

What is wrong with Trago??

Any visit to Devon or Cornwall Trago is derigeuer!! (hope speltright).

I buy screws, woodstain, turpentine, fixing brackets, cable ties, drill bits, clamps, tools I like but do not really need but a must for my hives, roofing felt, nails, screws, etc etc.

If you only have B+Q it you would appreciate a dose of Tragos now and again..

Rollon half term and visit to relatives.....

 

[AnotherNewBee]

BoaB at Thornes are online only really it seems - they're ok quality wise IMHO

R2

I suspected they were online only, but I had a morning free, anyway, needed to give the car a run out before its MOT (it's a local run-around, now not used anywhere near as much as it should be) so took a chance on the hive.

They seem like a sensible way of starting out at reasonable cost. I just have a thought that I'm better off starting with low cost new hives than similar cost (but better quality) used.

Besides, if I buy a flat-pack BoaB I have all the templates I need to make as many copies as I want reddevil, incorporating mods as I find out the better ways of doing things from my course and subsequent involvement in my local association.

 

[region2]

They seem like a sensible way of starting out at reasonable cost. I just have a thought that I'm better off starting with low cost new hives than similar cost (but better quality) used.

Besides, if I buy a flat-pack BoaB I have all the templates I need to make as many copies as I want, incorporating mods as I find out the better ways of doing things from my course and subsequent involvement in my local association.

R2

 

[region2]

What is wrong with Trago??

Nowt but struggling to convince the wife!

Next time maybe!

R2

 

[region2]

I went to Quince Honey Farm last year (in March, IIRC). It seemed more geared towards entertaining kids. Not impressed.

Feedback from our trip - went to National Bee Supplies in Oakhampton - they were moving to new premises so a bit chaotic but couldn't have been friendlier.

And then went to Quince Honey Farm - never again. Indifferent honey, indifferent service...

And it rained a lot! Overall though it was great - fish'n'chips in Appledore cannot be beaten!

R2

 

[Poly Hive]

Oh yes they can... try the chippie on Stonehaven sea front for the best in the UK

PH

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Or the chippy next to the home guard club in Cleethorpes Queens chippie in Gravesend (amongst others on the crew list of better chippies in the UK)

 

[REDWOOD]

Buckfast abbey is worth a visit with gift shops and generally a good day out.

 

[For want of a better word]

Buckfast abbey is worth a visit with gift shops and generally a good day out.

AND... from 16th April there is an exhibition of ART & BEES in the great Hall..
you will perhaps be able to purchase a picture of a Buckfast bee !