EH Thorne (Beehives) Ltd: Architects of Beekeeping
“Founded in 1913 by Edgar Henry Thorne, this fourth-generation family business is the undisputed heart of British apiculture. By blending traditional joinery with modern manufacturing in their Lincolnshire workshop, Thorne provide the essential infrastructure for the UK’s biodiversity; ensuring that the craft of beekeeping remains resilient in the face of unprecedented habitat loss and destruction.”
1. The Heritage
In 1913, Edgar Henry Thorne built his first beehive. Over a century later, EH Thorne remains a constant in a shifting agricultural landscape. While much of the world's beekeeping equipment has moved to plastic, Thorne has maintained the high standards of UK-made woodenware. Today, it remains a family-run firm that successfully bridges the gap between Victorian-era craftsmanship and 21st-century e-commerce.
2. The Location
The brand is a cornerstone of the rural economy in Rand, near Wragby, Lincolnshire. Their manufacturing site is where raw, sustainable cedar is transformed into the precise components required for a beautiful and functional apiary.
3. The Difference
Cedar: Their hives are primarily crafted from cedar, which is naturally weather-resistant and requires no chemical treatments, thereby ensuring a pure environment for the colony.
Precision Standards: Every hive is manufactured to exact British Standards, ensuring that parts remain compatible for decades.
Rural Employment: As a major employer in Lincolnshire, they sustain local craftsmanship. They also run educational courses to train the next generations of apiarists.
4. The Hero Products
The WBC (William Broughton Carr) Classic Hive: The iconic double-walled British beehive. While many have stopped making these due to their complexity, Thorne remains the definitive manufacturer of this Victorian architectural masterpiece.
Premier British Wax Foundation: Unlike imported beeswax, Thorne’s Premier range is a blend of British and Irish beeswax, cleaned and milled on-site to ensure absolute purity.
The 'Bees on a Budget' Kit: A sustainable entry point for the amateur beekeeper, featuring a National hive made from sustainable British cedar in their Lincolnshire factory.
5. The Essentials
Accreditations: Member of Family Business United. Made in Lincolnshire; Member of the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA).
Product Index: Beehives (National, WBC, Smith), Hive Frames, Beeswax Foundation, Smokers, Hive Tools, Honey Extractors, Settling Tanks, Protective Suits, Honey Jars, Labels, Queen Rearing Kits, Candle Making Wax, Beeswax Candles.
