Hannah Murrell often surprises people when she tells them she cares for a flock of 400 sheep.
“You wouldn’t expect little old me to do a job like this,” says the 24-year-old, who grew up in a farming family.
Recently, she took on her first role as a shepherdess at Gawdy Hall Estate in Harleston, Norfolk. Working seven days a week—and nearly 24 hours a day during lambing season—Hannah admits that livestock farming “isn’t for everyone,” but it’s something she pours her “heart and soul” into.
Before joining Gawdy Hall in October, she worked with her family’s cattle at Pulham Herefords in South Norfolk. Farming runs in her blood—her grandfather was a pig farmer, her parents care for nine hand-reared cows, and her sister, Lizzie, is also in the pig industry.
“You don’t meet many shepherdesses in Norfolk because it’s not really sheep country,” Hannah says. “There are more of us in the north of England, but it’s still very much a male-dominated profession.”
Despite the long hours, she “couldn’t imagine doing anything else” and insists she hasn’t missed out on much socially.
“My partner and I live a normal life… apart from lambing time,” she laughs.
This season, the estate expects around 300 lambs to be born at the historic 16th-century site, which is the sister estate to Courteenhall Farm in Northamptonshire.
Hannah describes lambing season as the most stressful, most rewarding, and sometimes the saddest part of the job.
“It brings out your mothering instinct,” she says.
Passionate about the industry, she hopes to inspire more young people to consider farming—even those without an agricultural background.
“Having people interested in agriculture, whether arable or livestock, is a really good thing,” she says.
“There aren’t many farmers left, and it takes a lot to jump into the unknown. It’s hard, but those are the ones who are truly willing to learn and progress in agriculture.”