Quince Honey Farm, near Barnstaple

One of the largest honey farms in Britain, Quince Honey Farm has been running since 1949. Established by fiery Scotsman George Wallace who was one of a few to be demobbed from the British Army into beekeeping, the family-run business has gone from strength to strength over the years, now keeping over 1,500 hives.

Set amongst a luscious 40-acre sprawl, this South Molton farm prides itself on using the most up-to-date and sustainable beekeeping techniques and is an unmissable attraction if you are staying in the area.

To learn about some of the techniques the Quince Honey Farm team use and to see what else is going on at their brand-new site (opened in April 2019), you can make the most of the regular opening times throughout the year. Diving straight into the action, a guided tour of the Honey Factory will reveal how the bees make honey; experience the deliciousness of this sweet nectar with a tasting session, deciding which is your favourite before purchasing a jar in the shop. 

If you’d like to take your experience a little further and think you’ve got what it takes to be a beekeeper yourself, you will be invited to put your skills to the test! Peer through a protective screen as one of the popular beekeeping demos takes place, before slipping your hands into some protective gloves that extend past the screen and hold a frame of bees. Test your eyesight and see if you can spy the Queen Bee herself, before donning protective clothing and enjoying a 30-minute ‘Be a Beekeeper’ experience.

Once you’ve gained your beekeeping stripes and are ready to explore the rest of the farm, a whole array of activities and attractions await outside. Boasting delightful landscaped nectar gardens planted with millions of bee-friendly plants, you can explore the striking, individually-themed hexagonal plots and take in the colours along with the seasons. Or, if you fancy a novel way to explore the site, make sure you hop onto one of the beekeeping tractor tours, visiting the apiary fields and looking at the picturesque fruit orchard and wild-flower meadows.

If you have children, a buzz around the Play Hive Adventure Park will be the perfect way to let off steam. Watch them fly around the indoor soft-play and outdoor play areas, before taking a relaxing stroll around the lake. Later on, the bravest of the bunch can head over for a critter encounter, saying hello to some of the farm’s other weird and wonderful residents. 

Appetite well and truly fuelled after hours of play, make your way over to the café or restaurant for tasty home-made meals and treats – the special honey cream tea is especially hard to resist! 

Feeling inspired? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Devon here.

Quince Honey Farm, Devon EX36 3RD | 01769 572 401 | Honey Farm & Family Attraction