A bigger and even better experience will be on offer to visitors to Reaseheath College when it opens for its popular Lambing Weekends next month.

The early Spring event, which attracts hundreds of families to Nantwich each year, is held in spacious facilities on the college’s main campus and will also include an artisan market following requests from visitors.

Reaseheath’s Mini Zoo, which is one of the best at any educational institution in the country, will also be open to the public. The event will run during the weekends of March 4 & 5 and March 11 & 12 (10am – 4pm). Traffic will enter at Entrance 1 off B5074 Worleston Road, car parking is free and refreshments are available on campus.

The lambing weekends have been a major draw to the college over the past 26 years, with many visitors returning annually from as far away as Merseyside and Derbyshire to meet the newborns and hopefully to experience a live birth.

The college has a commercial flock of 350 expectant Highlander ewes which are due to produce more than 700 lambs including a small number of quads and triplets. During quiet periods in the lambing sheds, visitors can still catch videos of earlier action and watch experts demonstrating the special care required for the delivery and care of the lambs.

Reaseheath’s zoo houses over 1,000 animals including meerkats, lemurs, a tapir, otters, birds of prey, companion animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Activities will include face painting and educational talks by Reaseheath’s zoo keepers.

Shepherd Anthony Baggaley is in charge of the lambing flock, helped by a rota of Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture students who are gaining practical experience in the lambing sheds.

Anthony said: “Lambing is traditionally the first sign of spring and this event is always very popular. Our modern lambing sheds give visitors a great viewing experience, with the added attractions of visiting our zoo and buying local products from the artisan market.

“Opening the lambing sheds gives us the chance to show what we do here. As well as giving the public the unique experience of seeing lambs being born, it is also a great opportunity for us to tell them about the farming calendar.”

Reaseheath Lambing Weekends 

March 4 & 5 and March 11 & 12 (10am – 4pm)

  • Entry by prepaid ticket only
  • The college postcode is CW5 6DF. If arriving by car, please access the event via Main Entrance 1
  • A family ticket (two adults and up to three children) costs £25 and there are other alternatives
  • Food outlets are available on campus serving hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks
  • Reaseheath is a cashless campus and only card payments will be accepted, although some artisan suppliers may accept cash
  • This event is not suitable for expectant ladies
  • Dogs are not permitted
  • Please wear suitable footwear 

Find out more and book at www.reaseheath.ac.uk/lambing