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Dowthwaite Head Farm

Dowthwaite Head is a Lake District Hill farm situated in a remote Lakeland valley with evidence of glacial formation. It formed part of a former mining and farming settlement of 7 houses.

With the decline of the mining industry, people from the valley emigrated all over the world and the farm is now a typical Lakeland farm specialising in hardy fell sheep.

Herdwick sheep are among our speciality breeds. The Herdwick, a particular favourite of Beatrix Potter, is a primitive breed of domestic sheep native to the mountainous Lake District of Cumbria in North West England. Like much of the traditional language and culture of the Lake District, the ancestors of Herdwick sheep are thought to have been introduced by early Norse settlers. The name "Herdwick" is derived from the Old Norse "herdvyck", meaning sheep pasture.

Mayson Weir's family has been sheep breeders for the last 75 years and Mayson himself is passionate in his love of the Herdwick breed, which he inherited from his father. He also has a wider interest in rare breeds, in particular Kerry Hills, which he breeds himself. Other breeds can be obtained as required.

To contact Mayson Weir at Dowthwaite Head Farm:
   Tel: 017684 82333 or e-mail: maysonweir@aol.com

Mayson also successfully exports quality breeding sheep to Europe which comply with E.U. regulations and has teamed up with Ralf Reinhardt as his agent on the continent. Ralf, who lives in Germany, also breeds Herdwicks, Scotch Black Face, and traditional German sheep breeds himself. Any breed can be acquired if required for export.

To contact Ralf Reinhardt:
   Tel: 0049 4795 954895 or email:hoope-farm@web.de or visit his website at www.Herdwick.de