Adopt a hive and help protect honey bees and our planet

Adopt a hive

Support Local Bees & Biodiversity – Adopt a Hive with Mêl Llŷn

Honey bees are vital for healthy ecosystems, but are under increasing threat from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. When you adopt a hive with Mêl Llŷn, you’re backing practical conservation and local pollinator health.

You might hear people speak of the “Welsh Black Bee,” but there’s no official breed by that name. They’re often referring to the European Dark Bee (Apis mellifera mellifera)—Britain’s original honey bee, known for its dark coloring and hardiness. Today, these native genetics have been diluted by imported bees and hybridization, so most Welsh beekeepers (including us) focus on maintaining “locally adapted” bee populations: hybrids that are resilient, diverse, and especially suited to our local environment. In some of our hives, traits of the old dark bee remain—but we don’t keep “pure” Welsh Black Bees.

Your adoption supports:

Locally adapted bee populations on the Llŷn Peninsula

Projects to conserve native bee genetics and wild habitats

Education in sustainable beekeeping and pollinator health

Adopt a hive and you’ll receive:

Personalised hive plaque

Seasonal story updates, photos & videos

Your own honey harvest (340g jar)

Handmade beeswax candle and Bee Keyring

Personalised adoption certificate

Who can adopt?

Perfect for individuals, families, schools, or businesses wanting to get hands-on with pollinator conservation.

Adoption Pack: £120/year

Includes adoption certificate, annual updates, one 340g honey jar, handmade beeswax candle, and bee keyring.