(Excerpt) In the early 2010s, a series of sharp critiques of British upland sheep farming emerged from environmental circles and gradually hardened into a sustained campaign. What began as polemical writing about ecological damage evolved into calls for the removal of sheep from the hills. This was framed as essential for nature recovery, flood prevention and rewilding, among other things.
Category Archives: Farming
Rewilding in Britain, from Concept to Controversy
(Excerpt) The concept of rewilding seeks to restore self-sustaining ecosystems by reducing intensive human management, reintroducing key species or processes, and allowing natural dynamics greater play.
In the densely populated and long-managed landscape of Britain the concept has evolved from a niche conservation theory into a mainstream yet polarising approach, generating disputes over land-use, rural livelihoods, biodiversity outcomes, and, most recently, wildfire risk.
The Barley Harvest 2026
So far 2026’s barley harvest seems to be proceeding more steadily here than in the drought-stressed south and east of the country. While those regions saw some of the earliest starts on record in late June, northern and western crops are following a more typical timeline, benefiting from relatively better moisture retention in many areas.
The Swaledale Sheep, Queen of the Hills
Swaledales are medium-sized, bold, and exceptionally hardy. Key traits include a black face with bright white markings, curled horns (larger in rams), and a weatherproof off-white fleece that is dense and durable. Their strong legs and feet, combined with excellent foraging ability, allow them to thrive on heather, rough grass, and sparse vegetation.
A Brief History of Lancashire Cheese Production
Lancashire cheese is one of Britain’s most traditional cow’s-milk cheeses and renowned for its distinctive creamy-to-crumbly texture and a mild, buttery flavour that develops complexity with age.
Here we look at the history of this cheese’s production from the earliest records to the modern day, concluding with a nice, simple recipe for a traditional cheese & onion pie.
The Bowland Nature Recovery Plan: A Vision for a Wilder Landscape, with a Blind Spot for Those Who Keep it Alive
In December 2023, the Forest of Bowland National Landscape (formerly the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) published its Nature Recovery Plan, a 71-page roadmap with the stated aims of reversing biodiversity declines and building climate resilience across 310 square miles of Lancashire and Yorkshire uplands.
The Hawthorn
The Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, also known as Quickthorn, Whitethorn, or the May tree, is one of the most common small trees, (or large shrubs, depending on how you look at it), to be found in the British isles. Their scientific name comes from the Greek word for ‘strength’; Crataegus, and monogyna comes from mono, meaningContinue reading “The Hawthorn”
Upland Farming in the Backend of the Year
This time of year, (around the end of November / start of December as of writing) is known as the “hinge of the year” by upland farmers. The clocks have gone back, the bracken has bleached to rust, and the last of the swallows are long gone. Up on the fells the year’s main outdoor work might be done, yet it never really stops. This is the season of maintenance, mending, and quiet worry.
Northwest Nature and History 