Herdwicks: Herdwick Sheep and the English Lake District

Herdwicks are the native sheep of the English Lake District. They are an outstanding part of the cultural landscape of the area with about one hundred farms still keeping Herdwick sheep on the fells. This book traces the development of the breed and reveals the fell farming year through numerous historical and current examples. It describes the arrangements for managing sheep on the fells, (many of which are common land) and the famous heafing behaviour of Herdwick sheep is examined in detail as are the roles of sheep dogs, sheepfolds, sheep identification marks, Shepherd's Guides and shepherds' meets. The work of the many Herdwick families is documented as is the role of Mrs Heelis (as Beatrix Potter was known locally) putting both her contribution to Herdwick sheep breeding and also her legacy to the Lake District into perspective. From the 1920s and 1930s afforestation of the fells led to a campaign for a National Park in the Lake District and the acquisition of key Herdwick farms by preservationist bodies. The National Trust now owns over a quarter of the National Park and many of the traditional Herdwick farms.
This book also looks at more recent challenges to Herdwick farming such as the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Cumbria in 2001; reductions to stocking levels as a result of environmental schemes; and the reform of hill farming policy. It concludes by suggesting some ways forward to sustain a key part of the Lake District's cultural landscape.