Our Story
Where it all bee-gan!
My journey into beekeeping began just before my 21st birthday when I received a nuc (a small hive) as a gift. With a variety of animals already on our farm, I was excited to try something new. In my first year I produced 9 jars of honey and was thrilled with the results.
At the time, I was completing my placement year in corporate finance and my final year studying Accounting at Aston University. Beekeeping was a weekend hobby that complimented my studies. After graduating, I decided to pursue beekeeping full-time, running courses and participating in numerous farmers markets.
In 2019, we expanded our services to include honey packing, initially taking on a few small extraction jobs. Later that year I had the incredible opportunity to work on a 3,000-hive farm in Australia, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon returning, I grew our hive numbers to around 100, and today we manage around 150 hives. Our honey packing service has significantly expanded and it now constitutes the core of our business. We're passionate about producing high-quality honey and providing top-notch packaging services. Thank you for joining us on this sweet journey!
~Matthew Ingram
I received my very first beehive as a birthday gift in 2017, marking the beginning of my beekeeping journey and creating Holt Hall Apiary's first 9 jars of honey.
In 2019, I traveled to Australia to work on a 3,000-hive farm, gaining invaluable beekeeping experience just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon returning home, I expanded Holt Hall Apiary's hive numbers to approximately 100 and built our first honey processing room.
In 2021, we constructed a second honey processing room to accommodate an increase in production numbers.
In 2022, we successfully passed our first SALSA audit and have maintained compliance ever since.
In 2023, we proudly hired Misha as our first full-time employee and installed a new production line to keep up with demand.
In January 2024, we completed our largest order ever of 100,000 jars of honey. Additionally, we built Honey Room number three to create more space for honey extraction.
Our commitment to the environment.
Sustainable practices are crucial to our apiary as they ensure the health and longevity of our bee populations. We are committed to supporting biodiversity, and promoting a cleaner, more balanced ecosystem.
At Holt Hall Apiary, we embrace zero waste to landfill by shredding cardboard on-site for packaging and using an electric forklift, ensuring every jar of honey is produced and delivered with minimal environmental impact.
Awards & Certifications
Community First
Community first is at the very heart of our apiary. As well as holding regular beekeeping courses, we regularly host beekeeping information talks at local clubs and schools to share our passion and knowledge. As proud members of the British Bee Farmers Association, we’re dedicated to support and educate within our community. If your local club or school is interested in an informative talk, feel free to reach out – we’d love to get involved!
