I’m looking for a place in the North Lake District where I can experience a sheepdog demonstration or get involved in farm activities. Any recommendations for farms or events that offer this kind of experience?
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2564 posts
Try this place at Watermillock on Ullswater, which gets good reviews on Trip Advisor.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9261 posts
Generally this kind of thing stopped after Foot and Mouth disease in 2001- in particular the Sheep and Wool Centre at Cockermouth closed for ever after Foot and Mouth. There are all sorts of diseases around now which farmers cannot risk visitors bringing onto their farm. No one has forgotten the absolute disaster that was.
Also Health and Safety regulations would mean you could not help with farm activities.
All farms have very serious machinery nowadays, even for milking cattle.
In addition there was another similar thread yesterday for France which pointed out US declarations you would have to make when returning home.
The only other place I am aware of (apart from the above) is Yew Tree Farm at Rosthwaite (Prince, now King Charles' , favourite Farm) but that has a minimum exclusive group size of 4.
Your best chance is attending one of the Agricultural Shows which are held around the County during the Summer months which sometimes have sheepdog trials as part of the day's activities. It's probably too early in the year to have a calendar of when they are all happening.