What is a WBC hive?
The WBC is a traditional British beehive with a distinctive look: a gabled roof, a stack of inner boxes, and a set of outer wooden shells called “lifts” that slide over them. The inner boxes hold the frames and the bees. The outer lifts surround them like a second wall, which is why the WBC is described as a double-walled hive.
It remains popular in the UK as much for its appearance as for its function. Many gardeners choose it because it looks like the classic image of a beehive. It is one of several types of bee hives in use, and it is less common than the simpler single-walled National.
Where the name comes from
The hive is named after its designer, William Broughton Carr, a British beekeeper and editor, and its initials form the name. Carr is generally credited with publishing the design around 1890. Details of later refinements and exact dates vary between sources, so treat any single date with some caution.
Why is it white?
White is the traditional colour of the WBC, though it is not a rule of beekeeping. Commonly given reasons include:
- Heat: a light colour reflects sunlight and can help keep the hive from overheating in summer.
- Protection: paint or preservative helps protect wooden outer walls from rain and weather.
- Visibility and tradition: white stands out in a garden, and the look became part of the hive’s identity.
Hives of any style can be painted white, and many other colours work too. Paint should be suitable for exterior use and allowed to dry fully before bees move in. For more on the pieces involved, see parts of a bee hive.
How a WBC hive is built
- Floor and stand: a floor with an entrance sits on a stand, often with a small alighting board.
- Inner brood box: holds frames where the queen lays. Many WBC brood boxes take British Standard frames, commonly 10 or 11 per box. Check the maker’s specification.
- Inner supers: shallower boxes above, for honey.
- Queen excluder and crown board: used as in other box hives.
- Outer lifts: several square wooden shells that stack around the inner boxes. They are not weight-bearing for the frames and protect the inner boxes.
- Roof: a gabled roof sits on the top lift.
Pros and cons
Advantages
- Attractive in gardens.
- The air gap between inner and outer walls may help moderate temperature swings.
- The outer lifts shelter the inner boxes from weather.
Disadvantages
- More expensive than a basic single-walled hive.
- To reach the inner boxes, every outer lift must be lifted off first, which slows inspections.
- The outer shells need maintenance, because damp can collect where parts meet.
- Fewer people use them, so it can be harder to find a mentor or spare parts.
Working a WBC hive
Inspecting the hive means removing the roof, lifting off each outer lift, and then working on the inner boxes. Many keepers find this tedious compared with a National or Langstroth. Some leave the lifts off during the active season and put them back for winter. The inner boxes are typically similar in interior dimensions to National boxes, so some equipment can be shared, but check compatibility before buying.
If you are new, ask yourself whether the extra effort is worth the look. For context, the main hive types are compared in our overview.
Is a WBC right for you?
A WBC suits someone who values appearance and tradition, has time for slower inspections, and does not mind occasional repainting. It is less suited to beekeepers planning to expand to many colonies, because the lifts add cost and work. If you want a small starter colony for it, a nucleus hive is a typical way to get bees.