Buy National Nucs for Sale in the UK
At Jurassic Bees, we supply 6-frame National nucs designed for strength, productivity, and ease of handling. Every nuc is carefully prepared to give you the best start to the beekeeping season:
- Each nuc contains brood at all stages, healthy food stores, and a thriving colony structure.
- All frames are less than 12 months old with fresh wax and foundation, ensuring a clean, disease-free environment for your bees.
- Supplied in brand-new Paynes or Abelo poly nucs, built for durability, insulation, and easy handling.
- Calm, gentle, and prolific UK-mated queens bred for productivity and honey yield.
Our bees are bred for calmness on the comb, disease resistance, and strong colony growth — making them suitable for both new beekeepers and experienced apiary managers.
Whether you are looking for overwintered nucs for an early start, or spring and summer nucs to grow your apiary, our colonies are ready to thrive in UK conditions.
Overwintered National Nucs (2025 UK-Mated F1 Buckfast Queen)
Availability: April
- Strong Colonies – raised through winter, proven to thrive in UK conditions.
- Proven Queens – tested over winter and selected for hardiness and productivity.
- Rapid Spring Expansion – colonies build quickly as soon as forage begins.
- Maximum Honey Production – early build-up means more time to capitalise on nectar flows.
- Maximum Colony Growth – strong brood patterns set your hive up for long-term success.
Spring National Nucs (2026 F1 Buckfast Queen)
Availability: May
- Fresh Queens – newly mated in spring, vigorous and ready to build strong colonies.
- Balanced Colonies – supplied with brood, pollen, and stores for a smooth start.
- Ideal for Beginners – calm, gentle Buckfast bees, easy to manage.
- Plenty of Forage – colonies can grow rapidly with long summer months ahead.
- Strong Start to the Season – perfect timing for expansion before winter.
Summer National Nucs (2026 UK-Mated F1 Buckfast Queen)
Availability: June
- Proven New Queens – mated and laying strongly by summer.
- Fast Expansion – colonies supplied with brood at all stages for quick growth.
- Great for Swarm Control – use summer nucs for splits or increasing hive numbers.
- Strong Stores – supplied with pollen and honey to support immediate development.
- Perfect for Later Starts – build a productive colony even if you miss spring.
🗓 Availability for 2026
- Overwintered National Nucs – available from April 2026
- Spring National Nucs – available from May 2026
- Summer National Nucs – available from June 2026
Choose the timing that fits your beekeeping season — each option ensures your National hive gets the right start.
Compare Our Nucs
| Feature | Overwintered Nucs (April) | Spring Nucs (May) | Summer Nucs (June) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | Proven UK-mated Buckfast, tested over winter | Freshly mated UK Buckfast queen | Newly mated UK Buckfast queen |
| Colony Strength | Survived winter; very strong start | Balanced colony with brood, pollen & stores | Growing colony with brood at all stages |
| Growth Potential | Rapid spring expansion | Full season ahead for maximum growth | Fast build-up; shorter season window |
| Best For | Earliest possible start to the season | Beginners seeking reliability | Expanding apiaries or later starts |
| Honey Production | 20–30kg potential (longer build-up) | 10–20kg potential in first year | 0–10kg potential; focus on colony strength |
| Price | £330 incl. free UK delivery | £330 incl. free UK delivery | £330 incl. free UK delivery |
Not sure which to choose? Pick Overwintered for the earliest start, Spring for the most popular beginner option, or Summer if you’re starting later and want a strong colony ready for next season.
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9 Reasons to Buy a National Nucleus from Us
Strong, calm Buckfast bees on National frames, supplied in premium poly nucs — health checked, easy to handle, and perfectly suited to UK beekeeping.
1
Premium Genetics
Every National nucleus is headed by a UK-mated F1 queen, raised from Europe’s most respected breeder lines. These queens bring together proven Buckfast genetics for calm temperament, strong colony growth, and excellent honey production. By choosing only the best breeder stock, we provide National colonies with the resilience and productivity needed for long-term success in UK conditions.
2
Guaranteed Live Arrival
We stand behind every queen and colony with our Guaranteed Live Arrival promise. Orders are securely packaged and temperature managed to reach you in peak health. In the rare event that bees do not arrive alive, we offer a full replacement or refund — giving you total peace of mind when ordering your National nuc.
3
Transparent and High Quality
We believe honesty and quality go hand in hand. Each National nuc is supplied with equipment less than 8 months old — including clean frames, fresh foundation, and durable poly nuc boxes. All queens are clearly marked with their mating year, giving you complete transparency and confidence in the age and origin of your colony.
4
Selected for Docility
Our bees are bred and selected for their gentle, calm nature, making them easy to handle for beekeepers of all levels. Docile colonies are less likely to sting, more pleasant to work with, and safer in gardens or shared spaces. With docility and productivity combined, your National nuc will be a joy to manage.
5
Selected for UK Conditions
Our colonies are tested and proven to thrive in the UK climate — from damp coastal areas to colder inland apiaries. This ensures stronger overwintering, better brood rearing, and consistent honey yields on National equipment, year after year.
6
Personalised Customer Support
We’re here to help you succeed. Our team offers tailored advice for National hives, whether it’s guidance on swarm prevention, feeding schedules, or queen introductions. With Jurassic Bees, you’re never left on your own — you have expert support whenever you need it.
7
Experienced Beekeepers
Lorraine and Charlie bring years of beekeeping expertise to every colony. From queen breeding and disease management to honey production, their knowledge ensures your National nuc is raised with the highest standards of care and reliability.
8
High Quality Equipment
Every colony is supplied in Paynes poly National nucs fitted with fresh frames and foundation. Using professional-grade equipment ensures better insulation, easier handling, and a strong foundation for your colony’s growth and success.
9
Educational Resources
Alongside your nuc, you’ll gain access to practical guides and resources built from real-world experience. From seasonal checklists and feeding plans to swarm control and honey extraction, our resources are designed to help you get the most from your National hive.
Choose the Right National Nuc for Your Season
Strong colonies raised over winter, ready for early season expansion.
- Queens have been tested over winter and proven to be hardy
- Rapid spring expansion
- Maximum Honey production
- Maximum colony growth
A nice balance of rapid growth balanced with a fresh queen and a young colony. Less likely to swarm than overwintered nucs.
- New season queens, freshly mated
- Less likely to swarm
- Good honey production
Productive colonies to strengthen your apiary before winter.
- Fresh in season UK mated queens
- Most unlikely to swarm
- Less likley to produce honey in year
- Perfect for boosting apiaries
- Ideal colonies to build up to overwinter in full hives ready for next season harvest