Overwintered, Spring & Summer National nucs with UK-mated Buckfast or Carniolan queens. Supplied in new Paynes poly nucs — UK delivery or Dorset collection.
At Jurassic Bees we supply 6-frame National nucs for sale in the UK, built for strength, productivity and easy handling. These British Standard National (WBC-compatible) nucleus colonies are headed by calm, prolific UK-mated Buckfast or Carniolan queens and supplied in brand-new Paynes or Abelo poly nucs.
Available by season to match your start date: Overwintered (April), Spring (May), and Summer (June).
Availability: April
Availability: May
Availability: June
Pre-order to secure a 6-frame National nucleus with a UK-mated Buckfast or Carniolan queen. UK delivery or Dorset collection.
| Feature | Overwintered (April) | Spring (May) | Summer (June) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuc Size & Frames | 6-frame National poly nuc; 3–4 brood frames + stores | 6-frame National poly nuc; balanced brood and stores | 6-frame National poly nuc; brood at all stages + stores |
| Frame Standard | British Standard National (WBC-compatible) | British Standard National (WBC-compatible) | British Standard National (WBC-compatible) |
| Queen Lines (UK-mated) | F1 Buckfast or Carniolan — winter-tested | F1 Buckfast or Carniolan — newly mated in spring | F1 Buckfast or Carniolan — mated and laying strongly |
| Colony Strength | Proven through winter; strongest early-season start | Steady build-up with long season ahead | Fast build-up; shorter season window |
| Growth & Timing | Rapid spring expansion with early forage | Vigorous development through main flows | Ideal for splits/expansion for next season |
| Indicative Honey (Year 1) | Up to 20–30 kg* | 10–20 kg* | Little to none* |
| Delivery / Collection (UK) | Royal Mail Special Delivery or Dorset collection | Royal Mail Special Delivery or Dorset collection | Royal Mail Special Delivery or Dorset collection |
Local honey & beekeeping store offering high-quality products with exceptional customer service. Features pure, locally-produced honey with coastal flora flavors. Expert beekeeping guidance & support. Fast delivery, often same-day. Healthy bee colonies with ca...
Strong, calm Buckfast bees on National frames, supplied in premium poly nucs — health checked, easy to handle, and perfectly suited to UK beekeeping.
Every National nucleus is headed by a UK-mated F1 queen from trusted Buckfast/Carniolan lines for calm temperament, strong growth and excellent yields.
Securely packaged and temperature-managed for arrival in peak health — with our live-arrival promise for peace of mind.
Equipment <12 months old, fresh foundation, and marked queens — clear specification and traceability from day one.
Gentle colonies that are easy to inspect — ideal for gardens, beginners and multi-hive apiaries.
Proven to thrive in the UK climate for reliable overwintering, brood rearing and yields.
Phone/email help and scheduled Teams calls — practical steps for inspections, feeding and queen work.
Lorraine and Charlie raise each colony to high standards — breeding, health and productivity.
Supplied in Paynes poly National nucs with fresh frames for insulated, easy handling.
Seasonal checklists, feeding plans and how-tos to get the most from your National hive.
Each nuc is a 6-frame National nucleus colony in a brand-new poly nuc (Paynes or Abelo), typically with 3–4 frames of brood, frames of pollen and capped honey, and a UK-mated, marked queen.
We specialise in calm, productive Buckfast queens (UK-mated). Availability of other lines can vary by season.
Yes. WBC brood boxes take British Standard National frames, so you can transfer frames straight across without adaptors.
No. For Flow Hives you need Langstroth-frame nucs. See our Langstroth page: Langstroth Nucs for Flow Hive.
Overwintered from April, Spring from May, and Summer from June (weather-dependent). We’ll confirm your dispatch window at least two weeks before shipping.
UK-wide via Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm or collection in Dorset by arrangement. Nucs travel in ventilated poly boxes with entrances secured for safe transit.
Colonies are raised under NBU-aligned biosecurity, disease-checked, and Varroa-managed prior to dispatch. Frames and foundation are fresh to support a clean start.
Install during mild, settled weather. Follow our step-by-step guide: How to Install a Nucleus Colony. We’re happy to advise on frame order, feeding, and first inspections.
Yes — phone & email support plus scheduled Teams calls if needed. We also provide practical handouts (install checklist, first-week plan, inspection notes).
We stand behind a live-arrival promise. If something isn’t right, contact us within 24 hours with photos/video so we can help and resolve quickly.
Overwintered (Apr): fastest early build-up.
Spring (May): popular for beginners; long season ahead.
Summer (Jun): great for later starts or apiary expansion. See our comparison above for more detail.
No — nucs are supplied in new poly boxes with fresh frames and foundation to reduce disease risk and give the colony a clean start.
