sheep in wales

Near Llyn Gwynant, North Wales

The landscapes of Britain and especially in northern England are full of scenes including livestock, and sheep are there in great number.

As I wander, climb and trek around Britain, in the hills, mountains and valleys I can look back and realise even I take things for granted. As I look back through a year’s photos on my computer and phone I see that many a time there was living company when all thoughts where my own. Bulls, cows and lots of…. sheep. All weathers, all terrains there they are, living, seeing and breathing some of the most wonderful scenery our land has to offer. Certainly not camera shy that’s for sure 😀

Beautiful Britain – Sheep In The Scenes 1

BaldHiker Retreats

Yorkshire Dales

If you go on any great walk in the Yorkshire Dales you will invariably come across sheep. In fact as the dales are one of my favourite places to wild camp I have heard many of these animals wandering around the tent at night.

Sometimes they seem tame and sometimes they are edgy and keep their distance. I remember on one walk over near Malham Cove that a sheep came and stole crisps out the bag I was eating.

Beautiful Britain – Sheep In The Scenes 2

Peak District

Beautiful Britain – Sheep In The Scenes 3

Castle Ewen, Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye

Sheep Breeds

Britain is blessed with a huge list of historic breeds that are still farmed today. As you travel throughout the land you may come across some that look different to the stereotype.

For instance the Badger Face Welsh Mountain, a breed that is known to have been around on the Welsh mountains etc as far back as the 1st Century and perhaps longer. The DNA of many sheep breeds around the world are known to have this breed in it in some way.

Beautiful Britain – Sheep In The Scenes 4

Crinkle Crags, English lake District

The Lake District is well known as the home of the Herdwick sheep. In fact they have become part of the tourist attraction in the area. Known for the hardier wool, they became part of the British landscape by around the 10th to 12th century. Thought to have been brought over via the Vikings. Beatrix Potter was a big farmer of this breed to in her time in the lakes.

Beautiful Britain – Sheep In The Scenes 5

Great Langdale – English Lake District

The Border Leicester is a unique sheep that stands out to me. It is hornless yet the ears stand up a bit like a llama’s do. It also has no wool on its face at all and not its legs either.

Beautiful Britain – Sheep In The Scenes 6

Looking out from Pillar, English Lake District

Actually 35 per cent of sheep in the UK come from the Blackface breed. Regardless of the name they can have black faces or white. They are very hardy and often found up on the mountains of Scotland and northern border areas.

The mums are such creatures that in severe mountain conditions they still look well after the lambs.

Beautiful Britain – Sheep In The Scenes 7

Borrowdale, English Lake District

Walking throughout Britain is a treat, no matter which part. And coming across a field or hillside of sheep is a spectacle that sums up life in the great outdoors even more.

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19 Comments

  1. Beautiful pics! Love the one with the dark clouds. Also the contrast between the white sheep and the green grass. Amazing!

  2. Absolutely stunning glorious photography Peter…!

  3. Heartcoach says:

    Gorgeous photos. Love the moody skies contrasting with the land.

  4. I also love sheep,surprise surprise. For me they always represent peace and tranquility however whilst most of these super images do suggest this the Great Langdale shot I feel suggests contemplation which is why its my own favorite. Love the focusing also. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  5. Beautiful shots! Just what I need to inspire me to go out for a Welsh hill walk 🙂

  6. Hilary Campbell says:

    Stunning photos – so lovely. Thank you for windows onto beautiful, wild, landscapes near at hand.

  7. Love the photos. Especially the Peak District, Borrowdale and Langdale. What camera/lenses are you using and are you using filters for the sky?

  8. These are absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing mate.

  9. Fabulous photos … I gues the sheep with the colored marks are a certain age or breed possibly?

  10. The Peak District photograph is very powerful, but I also like the Great Langdale one with that sheep surveying the landscape. You have some spectacular shots here. It makes me think of a question I have often pondered; why are sheep not grass / landscape coloured? For a tasty and wolf-friendly snack, I would have thought they should be more camouflaged.

  11. Your sheep pictures are great. Animals can make great subjects. They often appear on my photos. I also find that people I walk with who visit the Lakes from away have a fascination with the 'Hefted' sheep on our fells. How they know their own territory and stay there. This was a major issue during the foot and mouth epidemics. If the sheep flocks were slaughtered then they would lose this local instinct.

  12. Beautiful scenery, love the sheep. Fabulous photos!

  13. Wow! These are simply breathtaking! I miss it so bad, and now I MUST travel to the Isle of Skye, Wow!

  14. Paul Steele says:

    I love the cold! 🙂 thank you Ann

  15. I love the last picture, Beautiful!

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