The Herdwick sheep is the native breed of the central and western Cumbrian Lake District.
Thought to be introduced by Norse-Irish settlers in the 10th and 11th Centuries, there are tales of the breed also being brought here on a shipwrecked Spanish Armada. However the ancient norse for sheep farm was "Herd-Vic", making the first option the more plausible explanation.
A Herdwck Sheep grazing in Rannerdale, Buttermere.
Herdwick sheep were originally bred for their tough wiry wool, that can create garments which will repel rain and outlive many softer fabrics but is sheer purgatory for the hands of the knitter.
The word “Herdwyck”, means sheep pasture and can be found in documents dating back to the 12th century.
Extremely hardy, they are ideally suited to life on the highest of the Lake District peaks and are managed in a traditional way, grazing the rough and rocky lakeland fells.
Left out on their high grazing through the lean winters. The mothers are brought down to the lowland fields in April for lambing. Traditionally the sheep were clipped in July & August but today the wool is virtually worthless and many will be seen shedding their wool naturally on the fellside as clipping becomes an uneconomical burden to the farmer.
In September the Ewes are returned to the upper fells. First year lambs or Gimmers are grazed with their mothers in their own "heaf" or area to instill a knowledge of their grazing territory. A region which can be inaccessible and hostile, often covering a wide area over miles of mountainous terrain.
Sheep could stray for miles, these strays were looked after by the farmer onto whose land they had strayed and returned to their respective owners each year at the local agricultural shows.
A young Herdwick grazing near Buttermere
Herdwick lambs are a dark brown colour, turning to their shabby grey/white as they grow. They are slow growing sheep and have a lower lambing output compared with lowland breeds.
Meat from the Herdwick has a strong quality due to it's slow growth and free range grazing.
The National Trust owns over 90 farms in the North West Lake District. Many have flocks of Herdwicks roaming their own heafs on the fells.
The Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association says:
The Herdwick’s hardiness and ability to graze over a wide area of fell is key to the maintenance of the Lake District landscape as we know it. By purchasing Herdwick products you are giving the farmers that manage this candidate World Heritage Site a sustainable future.
Find out more:
The Herdwick Sheep Breeder's Association
The Ruskin Museum, Conniston, Cumbria.
British Coloured Sheep Breeder's Association.
