Places you can see lambs

Lambs are one of the first and most eagerly awaited signs of spring. Go for a family walk in any of these places and see how many lambs you can count.

The role of lambs in nature

We look after a variety of different lambs. Many have intriguing appearances, like the Norfolk Horn which is black faced with spiralled horns, or the fluffy Oxford Down sheep which have chunky wool coats and black muzzles and ears. Volunteers and rangers also look after rarer breeds like the Jacob sheep. Lambs and sheep are vital to keeping the life cycle of wildlife going because they graze orchards and meadows, and keep wildlife habitats in tip-top condition. This helps us tackle invasive species of plants to allow rarer species a chance to grow and flourish, helping the biodiversity of gardens and parks we care for.

Where to see lambs near you
Views over the Arlington estate in spring

Arlington Court, Devon 

Arlington Court has traditionally been home to Jacob sheep, but over the last few years we’ve been introducing new breeds. Why not pay a visit this spring to meet the new flock of lambs? On selected days there’ll be a talk by a local farmer, so you can find out more about our sheep and how they help the estate to thrive.

Visit Arlington Court
Visitors with sheep in the Brecon Beacons

Brecon Beacons, Powys 

The Brecon Beacons offer a spectacular landscape rich in natural beauty, from the high peak of Pen y Fan to the wooded slopes of the Upper Tarell Valley. In spring the valley is a great spot to see young lambs exploring their surroundings.

Visit the Tarell Valley
Lambs at Calke Abbey

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire 

Calke Abbey is home to a small flock of rare Portland sheep. The lambs are born with a foxy-red coat which changes to creamy-white in the first few months.

Meet the newborns at Calke Abbey
Two new Jacob sheep lambs at Charlecote spring 2016

Charlecote Park, Warwickshire 

The rare-breed Jacob sheep flock is a long-established part of the parkland at Charlecote. They were first introduced to pastures surrounding the lake as part of the process for managing the grassland habitats. They still serve this important purpose today, and you'll be able to see lambs gambolling in the fields from mid-April.

See Charlecote's rare-breed sheep
Spring lambs at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk

Chirk Castle, Wrexham 

Spring lambs are gambolling through the parkland of Chirk Castle in Wrexham to gear you up for the new season. Sheep are used to graze and keep wildflowers flourishing in this natural habitat for many wildlife species – so come and meet some lambs to really get into the spring spirit.

See lambs at Chirk Castle
Flock of sheep

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire 

Livestock grazing has played an enormous part in shaping the Clumber Park landscape we enjoy today. During spring and summer we provide grazing for a flock of Hebridean sheep, which are specially chosen for their hardy nature and their taste for scrub, bracken and brambles. They keep down these invasive species, which allows a wider variety of plants, insects and wildlife to thrive.

Visit the sheep at Clumber
Sheep and lambs in a field

Crom, County Fermanagh 

Flocks of sheep help to graze the landscape at Crom, so come spring there’ll be plenty of new lambs to spot. Most ewes will only have one newborn, but some breeds are prone to having twins and there can be occasional triplets too. The sheep belong to our tenant farmers, who check on them regularly during lambing season.

Meet Crom's newest residents
Spring lambs

Downhill Demesne, County Londonderry 

If you’re taking a stroll across the Downhill Demesne estate, don’t forget to keep an eye out for our flocks of sheep. These hardy grazers can cope in all weathers - perfect for more exposed sites like Downhill. At this time of year they’ll have their newborn lambs with them – proof that spring has arrived at last.

Look out for lambs at Downhill Demesne
A sheep and its lamb at a National Trust property

Erddig, Wrexham 

Newborn lambs can be seen in this wildlife haven, where for over 300 years the parkland has been open for visitors to explore. The meadows and parklands make a rich source of food for lambs and sheep, so why not come and soak up nature and spot a lamb or two on the way?

Visit Erddig this spring
Ewe with lambs at Knightshayes, Devon

Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire 

Look out for the sheep and their newborn lambs outside Swanley Grange this spring and discover the abbey’s historic connections to the wool trade. Explore what the monastic granges were used for, and try your hand at some woolly crafts.

Discover the history of Fountains Abbey's sheep
View down the lime avenue in the parkland at Hinton Ampner

Hinton Ampner, Hampshire 

Enjoy a spring time stroll around the Hinton Ampner estate and see how well the house and gardens fit into the surrounding landscape. Flocks of sheep and newborn lambs will be out grazing in the parkland – see if you can spot any gambolling as you walk among them.

Take a walk at Hinton Ampner
Two lambs and their mother on the Ickworth Estate

Ickworth, Suffolk 

With miles of parkland and woodland to explore, a wander around Ickworth is a great way to spend a lazy spring day. Around 2,000 lambs are born here each year, and you can watch them having fun discovering their new home.

Visit the lambs at Ickworth
Border collie sheepdog 'holding' a ewe and lamb

Llanerchaeron, Ceredigon 

Remarkably unaltered for over 200 years, this self-sufficient estate includes a Georgian villa, walled gardens and working farm. Lambs are born here from mid-March onwards, so you can visit to make friends. Don’t forget to say hello to the other animals too, from Welsh Black cattle to chickens and geese, and even rare Welsh pigs.

Explore the farm at Llanerchaeron
A sheep and its lamb standing in a grassy field

Lyme Park, Cheshire 

Lyme Park has recently reintroduced lambs to its habitat as part of an effort to encourage grazing. This increases biodiversity, allowing for the flourishing of wildflowers and delicate grasses across the estate. Come and see the young lambs frolicking in the parkland this spring.

Check out what wildlife you can spot
A sheep leading its lambs through a meadow

Orford Ness, Suffolk 

Orford Ness is home to a very important flock of sheep, whose grazing helps conserve the landscape and encourage ground-nesting bird habitats. The first lambs were born here in spring 2014, and this year there’ll be more newborns taking their first steps under the watchful eyes of shepherd Andrew Capell and his sheepdog Kite.

See lambs on the Ness
Gambolling lambs

Snowshill, Gloucestershire 

The fields that lead up to the Manor are the nursery for the Clun Forest lambs that belong to our tenant shepherd. There’s always a least one that is happy to pose for a photo. While you’re here why not look out for spring blooms like daffodils, crocus and the blossom in the orchards.

Gambol with lambs at Snowshill
Herdwick sheep in Langdale in Cumbria

Sticklebarn and the Langdales, Cumbria 

Spring in the Langdales means lambing season, and there’ll be lots of new mini-Herdwicks bounding around the fields. This breed of sheep is native to the Lake District, and perfectly adapted to thrive in the tough conditions of the fells. Come for a walk and see if you make some new friends.

Meet Cumbria's native sheep
A young lamb stands with it's mother outside the yellow stone of the gothic temple at Stowe

Stowe, Buckinghamshire 

Stowe's tenant farmers use the land in much the same way as it would have been during the time of Viscount Cobham - one of the estate's former owners. The resident sheep and cows control the grass growth, provide food and help recreate the historic views. Don’t forget to look out for the newborn lambs in spring.

Meet Stowe's conservation grazers
Lady bottle feeding a lamb

Wallington, Northumberland 

There are plenty of chances to get involved with lambing season at Wallington. On selected dates you’ll be able to take a tractor trailer ride to the lambing shed at Broomhouse Farm, where you can help to bottle feed the newborns. If you want to get hands-on, you can become a lambing apprentice and join our experts for an afternoon to learn about all aspects of ewe and lamb care.

Learn all about lambs at Wallington
Sheep and lamb at Wimpole Home Farm

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire 

Wimpole’s 300 rare breed ewes are set to give birth to several hundred new additions to the Wimpole flock during April. Come and meet the newborn lambs between April 27 and May 12.

Meet the new arrivals at Home Farm