Herdwick Experience
The Herdwick Experience offers a unique and unforgettable visit!
Welcome to Yew Tree’s Herdwick Experience!
Select a booking option below:
Herdwick Experience
Book yourself and up to 8 people on our Herdwick Experience.
Herdwick Experience Vouchers
Treat someone to the Herdwick Experience with our Herwick Vouchers.
Herdwick Experience Private Session
Book yourself and up to 8 people on a private session.
Herdwick Experience sessions run subject to minimum participant numbers and are currently released gradually in line with staffing capacity.
To avoid cancellations or last-minute changes, we are focusing on filling existing open dates before confirming additional bookings.
If a date does not reach the required numbers, we always offer the option to move to another session rather than losing out.
“The Herdwick experience was more than could have hoped for! Jo was very knowledgeable in her introduction about Herdwicks and the farming processes and the uniqueness of the Herdwick breed and their environment. Jo was very warm and friendly and our visit was completely at our pace and very relaxed.
The very best part was meeting the various groups of Herdwicks and sitting in a couple of fields of Herdies and having them come and say hello and even come for cuddles! It was just perfect, the sheep were so tame and all 4 of us loved it! Herdwicks look like they are smiling and we felt they were relaxed and smiling with us! We would be back tomorrow if we could! Amazing therapy to sit in a beautiful location with a sheep nearly on your lap! Thank you so very much. “
What Does a Herdwick Experience Involve?
The Herdwick Experience offers a unique and unforgettable visit!
Yew Tree Farm’s Herdwick Experience is unsurprisingly very popular! As the Farm offers the chance to privately tour this famous, iconic property and to learn about Herdwick sheep and fell farming in the Lake District. As well as providing the unique opportunity to meet and bond with the Farm’s very friendly ‘Ambassador’ sheep flock, who willingly provide guests lots of photographic opportunities.
It starts with a focus on Herdwick sheep as a breed, and why we farm them here at Yew Tree Farm. We explain their cultural significance in relation to the Lake District, including their connection to Beatrix Potter , how their wool is utilsed, why the lambs are born a different colour to their parents and lots more Herdwick related facts!
The second half of the tour involves walk around Yew Tree Farm’s home fields, examining the farm’s significance, heritage, architectural features, animals, wildlife and the beautiful landscape that surrounds it.
The final part of the tour involves a visit to our super friendly ‘Yew Tree Farm Ambassador Herdwick Flock’.
Unlike most of our 800 plus Herdwick sheep, these individuals enjoy and actively seek out people’s company, which is why they live in their own, private little field. Providing the perfect opportunity for photographers to capture these enigmatic animals for posterity – in fact it can be a problem as the sheep just want to get up close and personal and you just can’t fit them in the frame!
Yew Tree’s Herdwick Experience
Our Herdwick Experience is very popular! Whether it’s the chance to exclusively tour this famous, iconic farm and learn about Herdwick sheep and fell farming in the Lake District, the opportunity to meet and bond with our very friendly ‘Ambassador’ sheep flock, or the prospect of photographing Herdwick sheep that aren’t running away from you! The Herdwick Experience offers a unique and unforgettable visit.
Here’s what people have said about their visit
We had a fantastic morning with Jo enjoying ‘The Herdwick Experience’. Jo was very knowledgeable and was so welcoming, would recommend to anyone!
Ashleigh Moore
The Herdwick Experience is fantastic. Jo is so knowledgeable, and it’s amazing getting so close to the sheep. They are real characters! It’s a great present for someone who loves animals and the Lake District.
Tracy Dearnley
Visited Yew Tree Farm for the Herdwick experience today. Loved it. If you like Herdies it’s a must-do! Thank you Jo for a great visit.
Rosalind Goodman
Frequently Asked Questions
It starts with a focus on Herdwick sheep as a breed, and why we farm them here at Yew Tree. We explain their cultural significance to the Lake District, including the Beatrix Potter connection, what happens to their wool, why are they born a different colour to their parents… all sorts of stuff!
The second half is a walk around the farm’s home fields, looking at its features, animals, wildlife and beautiful landscape. This is when we also visit the super friendly Yew Tree Ambassador Herdwick Flock. Unlike most of our 800 plus sheep, these individuals enjoy and actively seek people’s company and so they live in their own, private little field. This is a perfect opportunity for any photographers, in fact it can be a problem that the sheep are too close to fit into frame!
Depending on the time of year you may get to meet lambs and tups (rams) on the walk round.
In addition, you’ll receive discount vouchers for:
- Jo McGrath Fine Art prints, cards, and gifts
- Heritage Meats, our on-farm butchery
- Herdwicks Cafe where you can sample our delicious, chef-cooked Herdwick Hogget
All sessions are unique, though most last between 2 to 3 hours, especially if the weather is on-side!
- £45 per person
- £150 family/group booking (4 people, minimum one adult)
- £270 private session (1 to 8 people, must include at least 1 adult)
Anyone who is interested in Herdwick sheep and the Lake District. You can book onto a general session or arrange for a private session.
General sessions:
- Children are welcome, 10 years old and over is the most suitable age.
- Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Private sessions:
Photographers and artists: obligingly photographic Herdwicks in private, stunning Lake District locations. Bring a camera or sketchbook and indulge in the inspiration around you.
Special occasions: very popular for birthdays, anniversaries and honeymooners.
Homeschoolers and families with younger children: specifically child-focused and can be themed to particular topics.
Corporate: truly unique Lake District experience offering for special clients or as a staff treat.
General sessions:
- Wednesday and Sundays, all year round
- 10:30 am
- 14:30 pm
- Maximum of 6 people
Private sessions:
- 1 to 8 people
- Email Jo at [email protected] to arrange
NB COVID info: all sessions were limited to a maximum of 5 people before 17th May 2021. This date was subject to ongoing changes in COVID restrictions.
We begin lambing on the 12th April this year, and the lambing season usually lasts 6 weeks. Our Herdwick Experience sheep need a few weeks to bond with their lambs before the lambs can be handled by people their mums don’t know. So by the end of April there will definitely be lambs to see on the farm. By mid-May you should be able to cuddle some of them!
Our sheep are familiar with our own dogs but can become very scared by dogs they don’t know, even very friendly ones. We love dogs, but it’s best not to bring them with you on the Herdwick Experience itself.
Herdwicks Cafe is 110% dog-friendly and will make you and your pooch very welcome!
- The session is entirely outdoors on the farm, so casual clothing, waterproofs and boots are strongly recommended. You will be sitting down on grass at some point.
- There is plenty of parking available at Yew Tree Farm for Herdwick Experience visitors.
- Please be aware there are slippery and steep surfaces.
Accessibility: general Herdwick Experience sessions take place 100% outdoors. The first part takes place on level hardstanding and is fully accessible. We have ample parking space and accessible toilet and hand washing facilities at the farm.
However, the second part takes place on hilly, rocky, often muddy areas and unfortunately is unsuitable for non-specially adapted wheelchairs or for people with limited mobility.
A private booking will allow us to deliver the full Herdwick Experience while accommodating your individual requirements.
Herdwicks Cafe and Bistro in Coniston village.
Herdwicks serves delicious, chef-cooked dishes using our own Yew Tree Herdwick Hogget and Belted Galloway Beef, exciting vegetarian dishes, hot and cold drinks, wines and beers, homemade cakes, and snacks.
- Located 2 miles away in Coniston village. Drive there in minutes, or walk/cycle off-road via a surfaced bridlepath around the farm, over streams and rivers, and through broadleaved woodland into the village.
- Fully accessible and has a designated parking area outside.
- 100% dog-friendly.
NB: there are no refreshments available at Yew Tree Farm itself.
General sessions run regardless of the weather, within reason, so assume your session is going ahead and dress accordingly.
Occasionally weather does force us to cancel. This decision is made on the day, as our weather is very localised and general area forecasts cannot always be relied on.
(excluding COVID)
- On the day you can change your booking or cancel. If you cancel you will not receive a refund.
- Within 7 days of your booking you can change your booking or cancel and receive a full refund. You will receive your refund within 30 days.
- Within 24 hours of your booking you can change your booking or cancel and receive a 50% refund. You will receive your refund within 30 days.