The Story of Castle Farm Honey
At Castle Farm, nestled in the picturesque Darent Valley, thousands of honey bees work tirelessly to produce our beautifully soft and floral honey. From fragrant lavender fields to apple blossom, wildflowers, and hedgerow shrubs, every jar of honey is infused with the essence of the Kentish countryside.
The Buzz Behind Our Honey
Our hives are carefully managed by our professional beekeeper - Roy, from Fawkham Bee Company - who ensures that our swarms are healthy and thriving. Strategically placing the hives near the richest sources of nectar, he helps the bees gather the very best in the area.
When the weather warms in spring, the worker bees begin their daily quest, guided by an extraordinary sense of smell to locate flowers . In the process, they perform an essential role in pollinating millions of flowers—supporting food production, horticulture, and biodiversity. Without bees, many of the crops and plants we rely on would struggle to reproduce.
A Seasonal Delight
Our honey varies throughout the year, reflecting the changing floral landscape.
- Spring Honey: The first honey of the year is light and delicate, gathered from the blossoms of fruit trees, hedgerow shrubs, and early spring flowers.
- Summer Honey: The main summer crops bring a richer, more fragrant honey, sourced from our expansive lavender fields, wildflowers, and clover meadows. This results in a more aromatic, golden nectar that encapsulates the height of summer.
- Winter Care: As temperatures drop, our beekeeper works to protect the hives from predators such as woodpeckers and badgers (who also have a taste for honey!). He also ensures the bees have enough food stores to survive the colder months, supplementing their diet when needed.
A Haven for Pollinators
Castle Farm is not only home to honey bees but also supports a diverse array of wild bees, including solitary bumblebees that nest in holes in the ground. These pollinators contribute significantly to the health of our local ecosystem, ensuring that flowers and crops continue to flourish year after year.
Our Honey Varieties
We are proud to offer a range of exquisite honey, each with its own distinctive taste:
- Lavender Honey – A delicately floral, smooth honey with aromatic sweetness, harvested from our iconic lavender fields.
- Wildflower Honey – Rich, golden, and full-bodied, this honey is a natural blend of nectar from hedgerows, meadows, and woodland flowers.
- Soft Set Honey – Naturally crystallised for a creamy, spreadable consistency, this honey is velvety smooth with a subtle buttery taste.
- Apple Blossom Honey – Light and fruity with a hint of orchard sweetness, capturing the delicate flavours of springtime apple blooms.
- Sevenoaks Honey – A unique, local honey that showcases the floral diversity of the Sevenoaks area, produced from a variety of native plants.
The Magic of Honey
Did you know that honey has been cherished for centuries, not only as a delicious treat but also for its incredible health benefits? Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and antibacterial properties, honey supports the immune system, promotes gut health, soothes sore throats, and provides a natural energy boost.
Many hay fever sufferers also turn to local honey to help reduce their symptoms, as consuming trace amounts of pollen may help the body build a natural tolerance.
And here’s an astonishing fact: in its short lifetime, a single honey bee produces less than a twelfth of a teaspoonful of honey. That makes every single drop truly precious—so be sure to savour it!
Experience the Taste of Castle Farm
Every jar of Castle Farm honey is a testament to the dedication of our bees and the care we take in preserving their natural environment. Whether drizzled over warm toast, stirred into herbal tea, or enjoyed straight from the spoon, our honey is a golden taste of the English countryside.Visit us at Castle Farm to experience the magic of our honey for yourself!
Please note that Lavender Honey is only available in the farm shop - not online.
