Have you ever dreamed of owning a small farm or smallholding, inspired by the idea of keeping livestock as pets or producing your own food? Our smallholder courses give you the opportunity to discover whether the grass really is greener. This introductory smallholder sheep course provides an honest insight into smallholding life, exploring what’s truly involved in caring for sheep. With plenty of opportunity for discussion and hands-on learning, we’ll cover feeding, health care, legislation, handling, and moving sheep—helping you decide whether sheep ownership is right for you.
Suitable for 13 years + (under 16s must attend with paying adult)
Dates for 2026:
21st February 2026 to include caring for pregnant ewes (possible lambing).
30th May 2026 to include lamb based work to tie in with the farming year (possible weaning, vaccinating etc)
29th August 2026 to include tupping (mating)
This course provides the essential knowledge and skills needed to start and care for your own flock, while also earning a City & Guilds qualification. Topics include legislation, animal welfare, handling, husbandry, health checks, feeding, and either lambing or tupping (mating), depending on the season in which you book.
Legislation: Registration, movements & record keeping.
Introduction to Animal Health: Routine health care checks, preventative treatments, foot care, parasite control, vaccination.
Introduction to moving & handling sheep. Handling:
Feeding: Introduction to feeding sheep.
This course runs over 6 full days usually on a Sunday, with each day offering a varied mix of theory and hands-on practical learning. Below is a typical daily schedule:
9am: Welcome and refreshments
9.30am: Health & safety, legislation, animal movements, record keeping.
10.30am: Meet our flock, pen set up, round up, move sheep
11.30am: Sheep handling, demonstration and practical learning / health checks.
1pm: Lunch break
1.30pm: Continue hands on learning on handling, move sheep back out.
2.15pm Animal feeding and nutrition
2.45pm Q&A our farmers will answer your questions
Tripadvisor
My son visits this farm once a week through school . He has ADHD and ASD and everyone at the farm have really made an impact on his life in general! We were very kindly invited as a family to visit and see what H gets up to on his visits . We all had the best time the whole feel of the farm is relaxing, Calm and Happy 😊. All the animals are so very well looked after which you can tell by how affectionate they are ❤️. Thank you.
Tripadvisor
We had such a lovely experience during our visit, feeding the lamb and holding the baby goats. Zenan was a great tour guide.
Tripadvisor
This has been on my bucket list for a very long time but I didn't want to do it in a crowded environment with lots of people who may scare the animals. Frampton Farm was exceptional we had a private visit of 4 adults it was educational and a lot of fun interacting with the baby lambs and goats and all the other animals that are looked after on the farm. We were lucky enough to feed the lambs and the whole experience was so memorable. We have a grandson who is 2 and we hope to return with him next year when is a little bit older and understands more. Thank you to Karen and the team for an amazing experience we highly recommend this experience.
Tripadvisor
An outstanding visit. The owners have really taken a corner of the market in an excellent fashion. I’ve taken most of my Grandchildren round and each experience has been different, but just as enjoyable!! An excellent attraction!