Category: Entertainment

Visitors are expected to flock to Hall Hill Farm, the award-winning farm attraction near Lanchester, this weekend as top shearer Gary Tyers shears sheep over the Bank Holiday.

Recently named one of the top attractions in the UK, Hall Hill Farm, a family-run tourist attraction on the edge of the Durham Dales, has been providing children and families with an educational and fun day out for over 35 years.

Over the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend, it is inviting its visitors to enjoy a demonstration of the traditional skill of sheep-shearing on Saturday 25, Sunday 26 & Monday 27 May with demonstrations starting from 12 noon.

Domestic sheep do not naturally shed their winter coats which can result in sheep that overheat in summer. But shearing requires skill so that the sheep is shorn efficiently and quickly without causing cuts or injury to the sheep or shearer. Gary Tyers has been shearing for over 30 years and having spent time shearing in New Zealand he can shear 200-300 sheep a day.

“This is a big weekend for Hall Hill Farm,” said Ann Darlington, tourism manager, Hall Hill Farm. “We first opened the farm gates for visitors to see our lambs nearly 40 years ago and they continue to play a very important role for us as demonstrated by the popularity of our recent ‘lamb-cam’.

“Sheep shearing has been an important part of the UK sheep industry for thousands of years and is one of the most entertaining traditional farms skills. It is an important part of the visitor experience here at Hall Hill Farm to inform people about the animals, as well as providing an excellent family day out.”

Hall Hill Farm, which employs up to 50 people, and last year welcomed over 80,000 visitors attracted by the family fun on offer and the opportunities to see and touch animals at close quarters, as well as enjoy crazy golf, the jumping pillow or a tractor or donkey ride around the beautiful countryside.

The popular Playbarn also provides a fun indoor soft-play area for families to enjoy as well as shelter from the rain or find shade from the sun. This year sledging and climbing have been added to the outdoor fun activities.

Hall Hill Farm is open every day until the end of September. Set in the beautiful rolling hills of Durham, Hall Hill Farm is an award-winning mixed farm of 290 hectares. The multi-award winning farm provides a great day out for children and schools with loads of great things to do and see. For more information: www.hallhillfarm.co.uk

You can find Hall Hill Farm on Facebook and Twitter (@HallHillFarm) and at www.hallhillfarm.co.uk