Surrey Hills Sheep Parade to celebrate sheep and promote responsible dog walking
A colourful flock of 13 life-size sheep sculptures will begin its journey across the Surrey Hills this summer. The flock is at the heart of a new campaign highlighting the vital role sheep play in shaping the landscape and encouraging responsible dog walking around livestock.
The Surrey Hills Sheep Parade will officially launch on National Dog Day, Wednesday 26 August 2026, at Denbies Wine Estate, where the whole flock will be unveiled together for the first time. The launch will bring together local farmers, artists and communities to celebrate sheep and raise awareness of the importance of protecting livestock while enjoying the countryside.
The striking flock, individually painted by commissioned Surrey artists, will bring the campaign message to life with a simple reminder for visitors: keep dogs on leads where sheep graze.
Unlike a traditional sculpture trail, the flock will travel across the Surrey Hills over the coming months, visiting farms, National Trust sites and other visitor destinations. The travelling sheep will take the countryside care message directly to the places where livestock, farming and visitors meet.
Supporting nature recovery, sustainable farming and responsible access to the countryside are central to the work of Surrey Hills National Landscape.
Rob Fairbanks, Director of Surrey Hills National Landscape, said:
“The Surrey Hills Sheep Parade is a wonderful example of how creativity can inspire positive change. Sheep are among the unsung heroes of the Surrey Hills. They help create the chalk grasslands, support wildlife and shape the landscape that so many people love to explore, yet many people don’t realise just how important they are.
“This campaign celebrates their contribution while encouraging one simple action that can make a real difference. By bringing together local artists, farmers and communities, we hope the flock will spark conversations, raise awareness and help protect our livestock, our farming community and our outstanding landscape for generations to come.”
While the campaign celebrates everything sheep contribute to the Surrey Hills, it also highlights one of the most serious challenges facing sheep farmers: sheep worrying.
Sheep worrying is the legal term used when a dog attacks, chases or causes distress to sheep. Even dogs that appear playful can cause significant stress, injuries, miscarriages and, in the worst cases, death.
A survey from the National Sheep Association* found that 87% of sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack on their flock in the previous 12 months. Respondents on average reported four sheep deaths per year due to sheep worrying.
Tim Metson, Local Farmer and Chair of the Surrey Branch of the Country Land & Business Association (CLA), said:
“The Surrey Hills Sheep Parade campaign is extremely welcome and very timely. Attacks on sheep and other livestock in Surrey are far more common than many people realise.
“Earlier this month, two lambs on our farm were mauled and killed by dogs whose owner could not be traced. They were large lambs, so it must have been a particularly savage attack.
“While most owners are responsible, some still have little understanding of the impact an uncontrolled dog can have on livestock. Hopefully the Surrey Hills Sheep Parade will help turn the tide.”
George Curd, Restore Nature Delivery Manager, Surrey Hills, National Trust said:
“We welcome thousands of visitors to National Trust sites across the Surrey Hills each year, many of them exploring with their dogs.
“Sheep play a vital role in caring for these landscapes, helping maintain important habitats for wildlife and supporting nature recovery.
“The Sheep Parade is a fantastic way to celebrate these remarkable animals while encouraging responsible enjoyment of the countryside. It reminds people that keeping dogs on leads around livestock protects both farm animals and nature.”
The free launch event at Denbies Wine Estate will be the first opportunity to see the flock together before it begins its journey across the Surrey Hills.
Visitors will be able to meet the artists and farmers behind the campaign, enjoy dog training demonstrations, help name the sheep and discover where the flock will travel next.
For more information/updates about the Surrey Hills Sheep Parade and the launch event, visit: Sheep Parade – Surrey Hills National Landscape