The UK’s National Honey Show is the world’s largest and most prestigious honey show, drawing beekeepers and entries from across the globe. In this episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Bob Mauer, current chairman of the show, about its remarkable 102-year history, its roots at the Crystal Palace, and the traditions that have helped it grow into an international event.

Bob shares how the show combines competitive honey judging with practical workshops, lectures from leading experts, and a vibrant trade hall. He explains what it takes to organize 2,500 entries across 240 honey, wax, and mead classes, along with photography, microscopy, and decorative displays. Listeners will also learn about the challenges of transporting honey from abroad, the rigorous standards judges apply, and the welcoming community that keeps the show thriving.

Whether you’re curious about entering your first honey show or adding this renowned event to your beekeeping bucket list, this conversation offers an inside look at what makes the UK National Honey Show so unique. The 2025 show will be held October 23–25 at Sandown Park in Surrey.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

The National Honey Show website: https://honeyshow.co.uk
The Wax Chandlers: https://www.waxchandlers.org.uk/
Referenced BTP Episode with Stephanie Slater: https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/videos/judging-honey-shows-with-stephanie-slater-328/
Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
The National Honey Board: https://honey.com

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com

Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!

Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper.

Dalan Animal Health

Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens.

Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages: https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/

More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

UK National Honey Show – History, Traditions & Global Impact (344)

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