April 2025:
Wallowing Pigs, Dental Checks & Sunny Sanctuary Days​

Lambs, laughter and lots of motherly love –
your monthly peek into sanctuary life.

☀️ Spring Has Arrived

The sun is shining, and the sheep are out!

Spring has officially arrived – and the animals are making the most of it. 

From grazing sheep to wallowing pigs, there’s a real sense of warmth and renewal across the sanctuary. 

The fields are lively, the days are longer, and everyone seems to have a little extra spring in their step.

It’s also the perfect time to open our gates for the very first Spring Open Weekend on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th April

Come meet our 600+ rescue residents, enjoy delicious food, browse local stalls, and soak up the atmosphere of a place full of heart.

🐴 Horses' Dental Check-Up Time!

Horses’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and if they wear down unevenly, it can create sharp edges and points that may lead to ulcers and discomfort.


These sharp points can also hinder a horse’s ability to chew effectively, which can result in weight loss and other complications.


We schedule annual dental check-ups for our horses, but we also have them examined whenever we notice a problem.


For instance, Chewy has been dropping feed and quidding, which is unusual for him, so we recognised that something was wrong.
It’s important to address these issues promptly to prevent further complications. It’s the attention to detail that is crucial in our work.

Chewy Horse Dental Day

🐷 Wallow Weather is Here!

Tony knows how to beat the heat


Check out our adorable Tony soaking up the sun in his wallow! It’s definitely wallow weather.


Many of us are familiar with the saying “Sweating like a pig”, but it’s actually a misconception!

Pigs don’t have sweat glands. Instead, they need to find alternative methods to stay cool during these warm, sunny days.


To assist them, we provide wallows – lovely, wet, muddy spots. When pigs lie down and roll in the soft mud, they enjoy a refreshing coolness.

Tony Pig Wallow 1

💐 A Happy Mother’s Day at the Sanctuary

Celebrating all mums, great and small


We hope all the wonderful mothers out there had a fantastic day. Our thoughts are with those who are unable to celebrate with their mums for various reasons.


At the Sanctuary, we strive to do everything possible to keep mothers and their children united.


It pains us to know that for many mothers, this isn’t a reality. We wish that all mums and their kids could remain together forever, enjoying life just like the fortunate ones among us.

Mothers Day 2025

🚜 You Did It!

Our new ATV is on the way – thanks to you


A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who contributed to our GoFundMe campaign to replace our stolen ATV.


Thanks to your generous support, we can now get back on the road. We also want to extend a huge thank you to local dealer Ace ATV, who stepped up right away with an affordable offer to help us out. 

We truly appreciate the support from our business community during this time.


We will reach out to each donor soon to share updates and show you our new machine in action.


Thank you all.

Lamb Smile Atv

🎨 Wild Life Drawing – Online Class

Sketch along with our sanctuary stars on 31st May 2025 11am – 12:30pm

This Spring, join Louise and Steph for a live online class celebrating our animal residents through art and storytelling. 

You’ll meet some of our most charming characters – like Bonnie and Bobby the lambs, rescued after being abandoned, now growing cheekier by the day.

We’ll also visit laid-back Buster the bull for a lesson in mindfulness, and stop by the pig paddock to see best friends Mabel and Twiglet, who might just model their finest snoozes. 

Other curious residents may pop up too – it all depends who fancies saying hello to the camera!

Artist Laura Cuppage will guide the session with tips for drawing moving animals and offer creative support throughout. 

There’s no pressure – just bring a pencil, paper, and your love for animals.

Everyone who books will receive a recording after the session to rewatch anytime.

50% of profits go directly to supporting the sanctuary – thank you.

Buster Wildlife Drawing

Upcoming Events...

Spring Open Weekend 2025

We’re kicking off our 2025 events with a brand-new Spring Open Weekend on 26-27 April! Join us for a fantastic two-day event filled with delicious food, unique shopping, family-friendly fun, and the chance to meet our 600+ rescued animals.

This special weekend is all about welcoming visitors back and supporting the future of our sanctuary—be part of something truly meaningful!

🎟️ Tickets: £5-£25

🐑 The Farm Sheepover – 31st May 🏕️

Join us for the first Sheepover of the year at the sanctuary! On 31st May, pitch your tent and spend a magical evening surrounded by our rescued animals.

Enjoy:
🍽️ Delicious plant-based meals from No Frickin Chicken
🧘 Sunday morning yoga with Whole Heart Yoga
🍩 Sweet treats & hot drinks from Golden Glaze Doughnuts

🎟️ Tickets: £10-£20

Visit The Farm – Every Weekend from Late April!

From the end of April, the sanctuary will be open every weekend for regular visits—perfect for a family-friendly day out! Come and meet our rescued animals, explore the beautiful sanctuary, and enjoy a peaceful day in nature.

What to Expect:
🐑 Meet our 600+ rescue residents
📸 Capture special moments with our friendly animals
🚶 Stroll through the sanctuary and enjoy the fresh air

🎟️ Tickets: £2.50-£7.50

Freedom Fields Festival 2025 – 25th-27th July

The date is set, and early bird tickets are now available! 

Join us for a weekend of music, food, wellness, and fun at Britain’s first Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Check out the 2024 Festival Gallery Here

🎤  Live music & DJ sets
🍽️  Delicious food & drinks
🛍️  Unique shopping stalls
🧘  Wellness workshops & yoga
🐑  Meet our 600+ rescued animals
🎪  Family-friendly activities & kids’ area

🏕 Stay the weekend with on-site camping or visit for the day to soak up the festival atmosphere. 

Every ticket supports our vital work in rescuing and caring for animals.

🎟️ Book now and be part of something unforgettable!