New life on the farm

Lambing is one of the most memorable farm experiences you can have. Watching a newborn lamb take its first wobbly steps, hearing the low conversations between ewe and lamb, and seeing the quiet skill of a farmer at work during the busiest weeks of their year. Many UK farms open their doors during lambing season, and it's an experience families talk about for years. But it's also a working farm during a vulnerable period—so knowing what to expect, what to wear, and how to behave makes the visit better for everyone.

When does lambing happen?

UK lambing season varies by region and farm type. Lowland farms in southern England may start in January or February. Hill farms in Wales, northern England, and Scotland often lamb in March or April, when the weather is milder and grass is growing. Most open lambing events run from late February through April.

Finding a lambing event

Many farms run open days or lambing weekends specifically for visitors. A few ways to find them:

Local farm websites and social media. Most farms announce lambing dates on Instagram or Facebook from January onwards.
Visit England and Visit Wales listings. Both tourism boards collate lambing events regionally.
County shows and farm networks. Your local National Farmers' Union branch or farm cluster group may share open-farm listings.
Word of mouth. Ask at your farmers' market—many livestock farmers or their neighbours host lambing days.

Book ahead where possible. Popular farms sell out quickly, especially at weekends. Some offer timed entry to manage numbers and reduce stress on the animals.

What to expect on the day

Lambing open days vary from small family farms with a dozen ewes in a barn to larger operations with hundreds of sheep across several fields. Most visits include:

Barn viewing. You'll see ewes in pens with their newborns, often within hours of birth. Some farms have viewing areas; others let you walk through the barn with a guide.
Bottle feeding. Orphaned or rejected lambs ("pet lambs") are often bottle-fed by visitors—especially popular with children.
Watching a birth. If timing is right, you may see a lamb being born. Farms can't guarantee this, but it happens more often than you'd think during a busy lambing shed day.
Handling lambs. Some farms allow gentle handling of day-old lambs under supervision. Others prefer a look-but-don't-touch approach for welfare reasons.
Farm tours. Many events include wider farm walks, tractor rides, or other activities alongside the lambing sheds.

Managing children's expectations

Explain beforehand that lambing is a working farm event, not a petting zoo. Some ewes may be stressed, some births are messy, and not every lamb survives. Most children handle this well when prepared with honest, age-appropriate information. The overwhelming majority of the experience is joyful.

What to wear

Lambing sheds are working agricultural buildings. Dress accordingly:

Wellies or waterproof boots. Essential. Barns have straw, mud, and manure underfoot. Some farms provide boot dips at entry; others expect clean footwear.
Warm layers. Barns are sheltered but not heated. February and March visits can be cold, especially if you're standing still watching for a while.
Waterproof outer layer. Even indoor events involve walking between buildings or across yards.
Old clothes. Expect contact with straw, muck, and possibly newborn lamb fluids. Don't wear your best coat.
Hat and gloves. Cold hands are the most common complaint from visitors at early-season events.

Bring a change of clothes for children

Small children have a talent for sitting in exactly the wrong spot. A spare set of clothes in the car saves the journey home from becoming uncomfortable.

Biosecurity: why it matters and what to do

Newborn lambs and pregnant ewes are particularly vulnerable to disease. Biosecurity isn't bureaucracy—it's protection for the animals you've come to see.

Before your visit:

If you've visited another farm or livestock area in the past 48 hours, mention it when booking. Some farms may ask you to take extra precautions.
Avoid visiting if you or your family have had vomiting or diarrhoea in the past 48 hours—some human infections can transfer to livestock.

On the farm:

Use boot dips or disinfectant stations at entry points. Walk through slowly to let the solution work.
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after contact with animals. Gel is useful, but soap and water is better.
Don't touch animals unless invited. Follow the farm's guidance on which pens and animals are accessible.
Keep to marked paths. Straying into other areas of the farm can introduce disease or disturb animals.
Supervise children closely. Small hands go everywhere—encourage hand-washing after every animal interaction.

For a deeper dive into farm visit hygiene, see our biosecurity guide.

Pregnant visitors

Pregnant women should avoid contact with sheep during lambing season. Ewes can carry organisms (including Chlamydia abortus and Toxoplasma) that pose a risk during human pregnancy. This is a well-established precaution, not alarmism. If you're pregnant, enjoy the visit from a safe distance and avoid handling animals or soiled bedding.

Making it a great family day

A few tips for turning a lambing visit into a memorable outing:

Arrive early. Morning visits often see more activity in the lambing shed—births tend to cluster overnight and into the morning.
Bring a camera but stay present. Some of the best moments happen quickly. A few photos are fine; filming everything means missing the experience.
Talk to the farmers. They're busy but most love sharing what they do. Ask about breeds, feeding, or what happens to the lambs through the year. Keep questions brief during a difficult birth.
Pack snacks and drinks. Farm cafés may be available, but don't rely on it. A thermos and some biscuits keep everyone comfortable.
Allow plenty of time. Rushing a lambing visit defeats the purpose. Plan for at least two hours, more if there are farm walks or activities.

Access considerations

Lambing sheds are working farm buildings, often with uneven floors, narrow gates, and limited lighting. If you have mobility needs, call ahead to ask about access. Some farms offer viewing platforms or designated accessible areas. Pushchairs may struggle on straw and mud—consider a baby carrier instead.

After the visit

Wash boots and clothing when you get home, especially if you plan to visit another farm or have contact with other animals.
Watch for symptoms. If anyone develops gastric illness within a few days of the visit, mention the farm contact to your GP. This is precautionary—serious infections from farm visits are rare but treatable.
Follow up. Many farms post updates on social media as lambs grow. It's satisfying to see the ones you met thriving a few weeks later.

What to ask the farmer

"What breed are these sheep, and why do you keep them?"
"How many lambs are you expecting this season?"
"Can children bottle-feed the pet lambs?"
"What happens to the lambs after the season—do you sell breeding stock or meat?"
"What's the hardest part of lambing for you?"

Quick checklist

[ ] Find and book a lambing event (check farm websites, social media, tourism listings)
[ ] Check timing: lowland farms (Feb-Mar), hill farms (Mar-Apr)
[ ] Wear wellies, warm layers, waterproof jacket, old clothes
[ ] Pack spare clothes for children, snacks, and a thermos
[ ] Review biosecurity basics (boot dips, handwashing, supervised contact)
[ ] Pregnant visitors: avoid direct animal contact
[ ] Bring a camera but stay present for the experience

Ready for more?

Read our full biosecurity guide for farm visit hygiene essentials, plan a family farm day beyond lambing season, or check what's in season to combine your visit with some spring produce shopping.

Lambing Season Visits: What to Know Before You Go