Conservation grazing is a vital tool for the management of a variety of habitats across our nature reserves and beyond, and we are delighted to have added a new herd of Cheviot goats to compliment the cattle and sheep already at work across our nature reserves and beyond. 

Find out more about our conservation grazing project

These goats are from a feral population that roam the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland. These wild living goats are a small, stocky and hardy native breed, perfectly suited to life outdoors eating gorse and other rough vegetation that could become invasive if left unchecked. 

Every year a census of the feral population is taken, and some animals are removed to help manage numbers and ensure a healthy gene pool. And we are delighted to have been able to provide a wonderful new home for 17 of the goats. 15 females (nannies) and 2 males (billys) arrived in November 2025, and we are expecting that at least some of the nannies are pregnant, with kids due around April. 

Cheviot goats are Britain’s oldest primitive goat breed and were added to Defra’s Native Breed at Risk watchlist in 2010. Our grazing officers have been working with the British Primitive Goat Research Group to arrange for the goats to join our conservation grazing herds to both help to manage our nature reserves, and also to help to ensure the continued survival of the breed. 

Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) Chief Executive Christopher Price said: “The Cheviot Goat was added to the RBST Watchlist, which shows which of the UK’s native livestock and equine breeds are most endangered, in 2024. 

“The goats of the Cheviot Hills have a fantastic, unique history. As well as their cultural significance, Cheviot goats are extremely important genetically, providing a crucial link to the UK’s original primitive goats from the Bronze and Iron Ages. 

“Cheviot goats are excellent for conservation grazing that supports biodiversity and soil health. Using their skills in this way and expanding their geographic concentration are important parts of the effort to bring these irreplaceable goats back to a secure position and a thriving future.”