We recently welcomed a little fellow into our care under quite unusual circumstances. Billy was found abandoned in someone’s yard just down the road from us, and nobody came forward to claim him. He’s a small Welsh Mountain lamb, which is odd because there aren’t any of those in the surrounding area. Where he came from is a mystery we may never solve.
When he arrived, he was weak, subdued, and had all but lost the will to live. He was infested with ticks, not just a couple but enough to affect his health, and we discovered fleas on him too. Our vet believes he has some kind of neurological problem on top of everything else.
But here’s the thing: he gently accepted the bottle when we offered it to him. He’d clearly been bottle-fed before.
Someone had cared for him once, and then discarded him. Why? We’ll never know.
We treated him for ticks and fleas, gave him pain relief and a long-acting antibiotic, and got him onto a regular feeding routine. After just one week, he’s transformed into a different lamb. He’s friendly, playful, full of life, and there’s a spark in his eye. He’s going to be quite the character.
This is our mission. This is what we do. We take in these animals who have nowhere else to go and give them a chance at life when nobody else seems to care. We don’t see them as numbers or costs. We see them for who they truly are.
The lambs born at the sanctuary and little Boo are all doing brilliantly.
They’re enjoying the lush spring grass and have had plenty of fuss from visitors at the weekends.
We’ve had a truly amazing start to opening the sanctuary, and it’s wonderful to see so many of our supporters, old and new, coming through the gates.
For those of you who’ve been following Domino’s journey, he now has a buddy: Dipsy.
Dipsy lost her eye a few months ago, but it hasn’t slowed her down one bit. She’s an older mare, calm and serene about everything.
Domino, being a younger fellow, shares that gentle temperament. He’s eager to learn, and Dipsy is the perfect mare to guide him.
They complement each other wonderfully and are forming a lovely friendship. It’s exactly what we’d hoped for.
The pig wallows have been in full operation recently, and we could watch them for hours.
There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing the pigs sink into a muddy wallow, completely content and peaceful.
Pure bliss.
Treats have been coming in thick and fast this spring. With the warmer weather, our wonderful locals have had plenty of leaves from their spring cabbages, which they’ve been bringing up to us.
All the animals love them, but the cows are especially keen.
Every time they see us approaching, they’re convinced we’re bringing goodies. They’re not always wrong.
Waffle the goose has been in his element now that visitors are back. He takes his greeting duties very seriously, making sure every single person who walks through the gates gets a proper welcome.
Be sure to come and make his day (and his brothers’ too) by popping in for a visit.
Mind you, come Monday, he’s ready for a rest. It’s quite the job welcoming everyone and showing them around all weekend!
Our first event of 2026 is here! Come and see the animals, enjoy the sunshine, and spend a wonderful day at the sanctuary.
Join us for a relaxed weekend with food, sweet treats from the amazing Golden Glaze Doughnuts, local stalls, family activities, and the chance to meet our 600+ rescued residents.
Every ticket helps us continue caring for the animals who call the sanctuary home. It’s a wonderful way to spend time outdoors with family and friends while supporting a cause that makes a real difference.
Many of you know that we secured Manor Orchard Farm back in December 2025. It was a huge milestone, but our reserve funds have now been exhausted. Every penny went into purchasing the sanctuary and giving our animals the forever home we promised them.
Now we need your help to build on that foundation. Whether it’s a one-off donation, a monthly sponsorship, or coming along to our events, every single contribution makes a difference to the lives of our animals.
We promised them a forever home. With your support, we can make it everything they deserve.
With love and gratitude,
Louise, Steph & the whole Farm family 🌸🐑
We’ve got an incredible year of events lined up, and our 2026 events calendar is now live!
From the Freedom Fields Festival to our Open Days, farm visits, Sheepovers and much more – there’s something for everyone this year.
Whether you’ve visited us before or you’re planning your first trip to Manor Orchard Farm, we’d love to see you.
Spaces fill up fast, so make sure you check out what’s coming up and get your dates in the diary.
Come and join us for a truly unique sleepover night at the sanctuary!
Pitch your tent and spend an evening surrounded by our rescued animals, getting to know their personalities up close.
A magical experience for families, animal lovers, and anyone looking for a special night under the stars.
Join us for the biggest event of the year at Britain’s first-ever Farm Animal Sanctuary!
Experience a magical weekend surrounded by over 600 rescued animals and the stunning countryside of the sanctuary.
With food, drinks, live music (including a DJ), celebrity speakers, shopping, wellness workshops, yoga, a dedicated kids’ area, and much more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
