My favourite breed of sheep are Herdwick sheep. They are found in the Lake District and have distinctive white faces and grey wool. They have evolved over many centuries with the assistance of selective breeding to be hardy to survive out on the fells all year round. Modern farming uses Herdwick sheep for meat.

Domestication of sheep has been traced back about 10,000 years with Herdwick sheep being introduced to Britain around 5,500 years ago descending from the Northern Pin Tail group of sheep. Genetic analysis shows that Herdwick sheep are closely related to the Soay and North Ronaldsay sheep.