Chain Bridge Honey Farm

📌 Horncliffe, Northumberland
★★

Do you like bees, honey, flowers, beeswax or free tourist attractions? Chain Bridge Honey Farm is more than just a shop selling products linked to anything apian; it also boasts several rooms dedicated to the fascinating science and history behind bees (and wasps) and beekeeping. Beautiful murals accompany detailed, hand-painted information boards describing everything from the insect’s life cycles and swarming to the choreography of their dances. The website mentions an indoor observation hive; this was empty on our visit, though there were plenty of bees around a hive at the farm entrance – just far enough away from the double-decker bus which now serves as a cafe (we recommend the pork pies, as well as the local honey cakes). There’s also a new Beekeeper’s Garden to stroll around, a random assortment of vintage tractors and farm equipment, and, err, a couple of chickens. The Union Chain Bridge is just downhill from here – the slope on the opposite side of the road from the honey farm visitor centre provides one of the best vantage points.