Chesworth Farm becomes home to llamas

Two of the beautiful South American animals have now taken up residence at Chesworth Farm, Horsham’s premier countryside site.

The llamas are both three years old and are here to look after the important wildflower meadows at Chesworth.

Together with Horsham District Council’s flock of Hebridean sheep, they will graze the grassland to keep down the weeds to allow the rare wild flowers to bloom.

Chesworth Farm on the outskirts of Horsham is a riot of colour during the spring with its amazing buttercup displays.

The 90 acre paradise of wild grassland and ancient hedgerow is also steeped in history, having been a farm since before 1086.

The farm has been home to two of Henry VIII’s wives – Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard – and is now home to the llamas.

The llamas, and Hebridean sheep they are looking after, can be seen at Chesworth Farm this month.

Chesworth Farm is open 365 days a year and is free to enter. It’s just a 15 minute walk from Horsham town centre and perfect for family dog walks or bike rides away from the roads. And don’t worry – the llamas are in a securely fenced enclosure. The llamas can be protective over their sheep so please don’t enter their field.

In the future the llamas and sheep will move to Owlbeech Woods where they will take on their serious work of grazing the restored heathland to control invasive birch and bramble.

The animals have come from Ashdown Forest Llama Park and they are funded by a Heritage Lottery grant through the Weald Forest Landscape Partnership scheme, in conjunction with the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit, which aims to restore and improve the heathland habitat at Owlbeech.

Chesworth Farm is owned and managed by Horsham District Council and for more information please email [email protected] or call 01403 215153.