The Cotswolds Farm Park is a facility dedicated to rare breed conservation and is set within the Cotswolds hills. Their efforts have been instrumental in helping save many breeds of sheep and cattle that were on the brink of extinction. All the animals are in individual pastures with plenty of space to run around in and have a good time.
The first stop was to see the Soay Sheep:
Notice in the pics that many of the sheep have lost a lot of their fleece already. This particular breed sheds them naturally. Alternatively, they can be plucked rather than sheared.
The second stop was to see the North Ronaldsay Sheep. They are unique in that they originally subsisted on a diet of seaweed! They’ve since been able to adapt to traditional feeds such as grass and hay.
Next stop is the “Cotswolds Sheep”:
These sheep have a gorgeous fleece with a very long staple length:
The Hebridean sheep were next. They are another member of the primitive breeds that shed their fleece.
The Manx Loghton has an interesting history:
Was it the Gnome or the farm supplied “goodies” that attracted all the interest??
The Norfolk Horn is an extremely rare breed and in high demand from local spinners:
The Herdwick:
Black Wensleydale:
Portland Sheep:
