Buy Overwintered National Nuc – 6-Frame Poly (UK 2026)
Overwintered National Nuc Colony — £330
Looking to buy overwintered nucs for sale in the UK? This National nucleus colony includes a mated F1 Buckfast or Carniolan queen for a fast spring build-up — one of the strongest overwintered nucs of bees in the UK for early-season growth. Nationwide next-day delivery or collection, plus free support for new beekeepers.
Secure your place with a £50 deposit (total £330). Target April 2026 delivery, weather permitting.
Overwintered National Nuc for Sale — 6-Frame Poly (Buckfast or Carniolan) — UK Delivery
This overwintered nucleus colony is established, inspected by experienced beekeepers, and ready to expand quickly as temperatures rise. If you’re choosing between spring options, an overwintered nuc gives the strongest early-season start and a realistic first honey crop.
Breeding & selection (F1 Buckfast or Carniolan)
Queens are selected from proven UK-suitable lines for calm handling, consistent brood and strong spring build.
- Temperament: gentle colonies suited to beginners and experienced keepers.
- Brood pattern: strong, even laying across frames.
- Spring build: efficient expansion into April–May.
- Productivity: good nectar gathering in mixed forage.
- Hygiene traits: behaviour supportive of colony health.
Queens are supplied mated and laying, marked in the current-year colour. Drone sources and mother colonies are rotated to maintain vigour.
How we overwinter & prepare your nuc
- Late-summer balance: the right mix of bees, brood and stores.
- Regular checks: food, space and queen status monitored through autumn/winter.
- Pest management: integrated Varroa treatments in line with good practice.
- Spring assessment: strength, brood quality and queen status confirmed before dispatch.
If spring is delayed, we hold nucs until conditions are safe for travel and installation.
What’s included
- 6-frame National nucleus colony.
- 4 frames of brood in all stages, plus 2 frames of pollen and honey stores.
- Mated, laying F1 queen — Buckfast or Carniolan, marked in season.
- Brand new Paynes poly nuc box for safe delivery and installation.
- Frames & wax are as new as possible — combs raised within the past year for freshness and hygiene.
Delivery & collection
- Nationwide: Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm (securely packaged).
- Dorset delivery: hand-delivered locally by our beekeepers.
- Collection: by arrangement from Dorset.
We’ll confirm your delivery window as we approach April dispatch.
Installing & first-week care
Transfer to your hive in mild, settled weather. Avoid over-spacing early on. Feed lightly if forage is limited.
• Guide: How to Install a Nucleus Colony
• Tool: Sugar Syrup Calculator (1:1 / 2:1)
• Compare: Spring nucs | Summer nucs | Langstroth nucs for sale | See all nucs
Health, checks & support
- Pre-dispatch check: queen present and laying; brood and stores verified.
- Arrival advice: written guidance included; we’re available for setup questions.
- Free support: email/phone help for new beekeepers as you get established.
If anything seems amiss on arrival, contact us the same day so we can help promptly.
Availability
Target April 2026. If spring runs late, we’ll hold until it’s safe to travel and install. Balance due before dispatch.
- 6 x DN4 frames of bees (with a minimum of 3 frames containing brood in all stages - BIAS)
- 1 x Queen as per the description.
- 1 x Paynes Poly Nucleus with a ventilated lid and side feeder less than 8 months old
- All frames and foundation less than 12 months old, marked green to indicate year they were put into service
All Paynes Nucs come with free shipping included.
We use 24-hour Royal Mail Special Delivery (Pre 1pm) with Signature REQUIRED.
Nucs are guaranteed to arrive alive. Please note, this service cannot deliver through a letterbox.
Nucs are expected to arrive the day AFTER dispatch. However, we cannot guarantee the exact day or time of delivery.
We guarantee the live arrival of your nucs.
Please ensure your address is 100% accurate. We are not liable for failed deliveries due to incorrect addresses or if you are unavailable to sign for your delivery.
