Us and Our Herdwicks
Nurtured With Care
At Wellsprings Farm, our sheep are treated with the utmost care and respect. Our animals graze on varied pastures for at least a year, resulting in meat that's full of flavour.
We believe that responsible farming practices and a commitment to animal welfare are the key. By using sustainable farming practices, we provide a high quality product while protecting our natural resources. These practices include having a low stocking rate, allowing our sheep access to beneficial plants in the sward and hedgerows, only cutting hay late in the summer to provide a diverse habitat for insects and other animals, practices which enhance sheep health and therefore reduce the need for the use of drugs, and always a respectful handling of the sheep (some even have names!).
The Sheep
The Wellsprings Farm flock ranges in size from approximately one hundred to one hundred and fifty, depending on the time of year. We breed from about thirty ewes, and have two rams, so that we end up with approximately fifty lambs born in April to mid May. They prefer to lamb outside and so that is what we do, and try to resist the temptation to interfere as far as we possibly can (which can be a little nerve wracking but normally pays off)!
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The vast majority of Herdwick sheep are in the Lake District and the Peak District, and are less common 'down south'. We chose them for our farm because some of our land is moor-like, associated with the geology particular to the Otter Valley in Devon, because they have a lovely character, because they produce fantastic meat, and because we wanted to support this native breed. Our two rams and the original five ewes came straight off the hills of Cumbria from a reputable farm, and over the years we have used rams and bought ewes from other strong Cumbrian blood lines.
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The adult Herdwick sheep are grey with white heads and legs, but the lambs are born black and then change to brown with white heads and legs through their first year, until they are first shorn in the following summer. They are double coated, with soft warm wool beneath and a coarser, hairy coat above to help shed rain. They have very smiley faces, and are generally good natured (and long suffering when we are faffing around!). They were bred to be self sufficient and able to look after themselves in a sometimes challenging environment, and so they are intelligent and resourceful. They are a joy to share life with!
Our Story
Charlotte always wanted to go into farming, but a career as a geologist working in contaminated land assessment seemed a more sensible option at the age of nineteen! So she spent lots of time on a friend's farm instead. When Mike retired from his career as a civil engineer, they decided that purchasing a farm and expanding their small flock would be a rewarding and meaningful way to keep them occupied and fit! Mike's many years of experience in land ownership, and working with heavy plant compliments Charlotte's love of animal husbandry. Together they have taken on the custody of Wellsprings Farm and work hard to find a good balance between keeping it in a good tidy and productive condition, along with allowing other nature to have their space and share in the resources. Learning how to nurture a particular area of land, with all its variation in geology and soil, and flora and fauna, along with the changing seasons and weather is what makes farming infinitely interesting and enjoyable. Working with the animals makes it fun and rewarding!