At BS Honey Bees, supplying premium queen bees isn’t a sideline — it’s our speciality.
We are full-time bee farmers, running one of the most efficient honey bee operations in the UK. Managing over 22 million bees, we’re not packing orders from a conservatory or selling a few queens off the back of a hobby — this is what we do, day in, day out, all season long.
And when it comes to queens, we are proud to be known as the UK’s No.1 retailer for quality, reliability and service.
🧬 Elite Genetics from Exclusive Breeding Partnerships
We work closely with world-renowned breeders under exclusive supply agreements — meaning you won’t find these queens anywhere else in the UK retail market. These queens are the result of decades of focused selection for key traits such as:
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✅ Hygienic behaviour (crucial for varroa resistance and colony health)
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✅ Docile temperament (ideal for stress-free hive management)
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✅ Excellent productivity (strong brood patterns, fast colony build-up, and good honey yields)
Our Buckfast Breeding Stocks come from legendary breeders including Dr. Peter Stöfen, Ivan Bjorholm Nielsen, Keld Brandstrup, Tenuta Ritiro, and Lutz Eggert — all names trusted and respected across the beekeeping world.
📦 Premium Queens with Pro-Level Handling
Every queen is:
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Marked to the correct year colour — many with premium disc markers for easy spotting
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Supplied in a slow-release candy cage for smooth introduction
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Backed by clear instructions and access to video guides for beginners and professionals alike
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Sent with selectable dispatch dates so you control when you receive your queens — no more vague shipping windows or missed timings!
Choose from delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery®, Tracked 24®, or collect directly from our Gloucester base on your chosen date.
🐝 Which Queens Do We Offer?
We have queens available to suit every type of beekeeper:
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👑 F1 Buckfast Queen – From elite European lines with consistent, high performance
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🖤 Carniolan Queen – Known for explosive spring build-up and calm colonies
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🧡 Essex Buckfast Queen – UK-mated, ideal for those who prefer home-based selection
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🔬 Buckfast Breeder Queens – F0, F0 Tested & F1 3D VSH+ for those running advanced programmes
All our queens are carefully selected, professionally handled, and backed by our industry-leading stock control system to avoid disappointment or overselling.
🛠️ Full-Time Support from Real Bee Farmers
We’re not a faceless website or part-time setup. You’re buying from real beekeepers who are out in the hives every day — not someone learning on the job.
Need advice? Need help with queen introduction? We offer full customer backup before, during, and after your order. We're not here to take your money and disappear — we're here to help you succeed with your bees.
💡 Why Settle for Less?
Your queen is the heart of your hive. Everything — from brood pattern to honey yield and colony temperament — flows from her performance.
When you invest in a BS Honey Bees queen, you’re choosing reliability, elite genetics, and peace of mind. You’re choosing a supplier who understands the stakes and is with you every step of the way.
🔥 Order Early to Avoid Disappointment
Our queens are in high demand, and early dispatch dates always sell out fast. We take pre-orders from October each year, with deliveries starting from late March through to September.
🐝 Be Part of the Best
With over 9,000 queens supplied each year, and thousands of loyal customers across the UK, BS Honey Bees is the go-to source for serious beekeepers. Whether you manage one hive or one hundred, you deserve the best queens — and we’re here to deliver them.
Don’t settle. Don’t risk it.
Buy from the specialists. Buy from BS Honey Bees.
