Chain Bridge Honey Farm

About the museum

Chain Bridge Honey Farm is a family business that began in 1948, when the beekeeping adviser William Selby Robson started keeping bees. His son Willie took up beekeeping in 1962 and expanded the business, increasing the number of hives and widening the range of products. A new honey house was built in 1982, and in 1991 a large visitor centre was added so that the public could learn about bees and honey. The business moved into a third honey house in 2007.

The honey farm today has nearly 1,500 hives, kept within about 40 miles of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Honey, beeswax and propolis products are sold in the shop on site, online and to about 350 shops.

The visitor centre has displays on the life of bees, the products of the hive, bumble bees and wasps and swarms. The hand-written exhibits are the work of a calligrapher, and murals by a local artist cover the walls. A living colony of bees can be watched in an observation hive. A display of vintage vehicles and a garden planted for pollinators complete the visit. The Union Chain Bridge, a suspension bridge from 1820, is a short walk away.

Highlights

• Free visitor centre with displays on bees and honey
• Observation hive with a living colony of bees
• Murals and hand-written exhibits by local artists
• Display of vintage tractors and other vehicles
• Beekeeper's garden planted for pollinators
• Short walk to the Union Chain Bridge of 1820

Permanent exhibitions

• Bees and honey visitor centre – Information panels on bees, bee behaviour and the products of the hive, with an observation hive and murals of north Northumberland.
• Vintage vehicle display – A large display of vintage vehicles, from caterpillar tractors to Lanz Bulldog tractors and a restored ERF lorry.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Chain Bridge Honey Farm

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the visitor centre is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds but not in the visitor centre (shop and museum). No other access details are published.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The honey farm is in Horncliffe, close to the Union Chain Bridge over the River Tweed, which can be reached on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A seasonal Café Bus serves refreshments with outdoor seating; it has closed for the season. The shop sells honey, honeycomb, beeswax products, skincare, candles and gifts.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit