Is it hard to be a beekeeper?

The first few years are the most difficult, as the beekeeper realizes things and makes mistakes. You have a plan for winter that works. It's not as complicated as most of us would think, all you need is basic equipment, space, and patience.

I learned the art of beekeeping with expert beekeeper

Camilla Goddard at St Ermin's Hotel, London's first beekeeping hotel. Bee-keeping requires a small amount of regular time with the bees.

You usually have to spend about half an hour a week with a hive. You can do this on the weekend or, if the weather is still good, when you return from work. Most beekeepers would like to spend more time with their bees rather than less, as beekeeping is highly addictive. Unlike breeding other animals, bees mostly take care of themselves and won't notice if you go on vacation.

In total, you can spend 20 to 30 hours a year with bees. St Ermin's celebrates the hard work of its honey bees starting in September, the second harvest of delicious honey of the summer, with its delicious afternoon tea with honey created by head chef Alex Boyd during the hotel's annual honey month.