How It All Began
Practical, steady, and hands-on - Henry Rook is the beekeeper behind Eden Honey Bees.
Before the hives arrived, he was already growing fruit and vegetables at home, keeping chickens for eggs, and making cider in small batches. Adding honey felt like a natural next step. At first it was simply about producing something delicious, but bees have a way of drawing you in. The more time he spent around the colonies, the more fascinated he became by how they work: the rhythm of the seasons, the shifting dynamics inside the hive, and the way the workers quietly run the show.
How He Works
Henry is naturally methodical. He plans well, keeps excellent records, and likes understanding things properly. He enjoys finding solutions for himself and often leans towards modern, well-designed equipment and clever tools - always chosen because they’re genuinely useful, not flashy. Most mornings begin with checking the weather, a habit that helps him understand what the bees will be doing long before he reaches an apiary.
His Approach
Henry’s style of beekeeping is calm and deliberate.
He uses minimal smoke, moves slowly and purposefully, and works with the bees rather than against them. He loves the quiet problem-solving of beekeeping - small adjustments made at exactly the right moment - and appreciates the way it naturally slows his pace. There’s simply no rushing a hive.
For more about the bees he keeps and the equipment he uses, visit:
Working Across Shropshire
Henry now manages several apiaries across Shropshire, each with its own landscape and character. These varied sites influence the honey produced each season and help maintain strong, balanced colonies throughout the year.
Learn more about each location here:
Life Beyond The Hives
Away from beekeeping, Henry is usually outside - tending to the family’s chickens and pigs, working in the vegetable garden, or cooking in his outdoor kitchen.
He enjoys slow cooking, trying new techniques, and making the most of whatever the season provides.
When the children are off school, they often join him for hive inspections in their own suits. He takes the time to explain what’s happening inside the hive, and they frequently return to school full of bee stories.