Lake District farmers to offer unique sheep-walking experience

Meghann Crowe and her sister-in-law Denise Gaywood, who are based at Woodend Farm between the Eskdale Valley and Birker Moor, set up Woody’s Woolies after buying their first Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep – Woody.

Denise pictured with Woody the sheep (Image: Submitted)

The pair bought more sheep after they started making handmade, cruelty-free items such as Christmas wreaths and decorations from their own sheep’s wool.

Meghann and Denise now have 11 sheep and from April will start offering a sheep-walking experience from their picturesque farm, giving people the chance to take a stroll with the lovable animals.

Visitors will be able to walk the sheep at the farm, which offers spectacular views (Image: Submitted)

Meghann said: “We love our sheep so we thought maybe other people would as well. It’s something we both enjoy doing and we thought we could diversify the farm a little bit.

“The sheep seem to enjoy what they do. You can walk alpacas everywhere but we wanted to do sheep.

“At the minute, friends and family have been coming and putting their leads on and walking the sheep. They just walk next to you like a dog! They really seem to like it.

Denise's son, Jason, walking one of the sheep (Image: Submitted)

“Their personalities are amazing. They are all really different.

“In the future, we’d like to use them as therapy for people. Just giving them a cuddle can really help.”

The sisters-in-law are also planning to offer a ‘cuddle the sheep’ option for visitors.

The sheep are all said to have their 'own personalities' (Image: Submitted)

They have a good mix of breeds in their flock with Swiss Valais Blacknose, Ryland, Herdwick and Hampshire Down sheep.

The sheep-walking experience is suitable for all ages but adults must hold the reins for children under 10 years old.

For more information, search for Woody’s Woolies on Facebook.