People have farmed sheep and cattle in the North Pennines for many generations and by doing so have shaped the landscape we see today.  Methods of farming have obviously changed over the years, for instance the invention of farm bikes has made it easier for farmers to cover a large area to check their sheep. 

Swaledale Sheep

The competition from import markets and subsequent fall in market prices have taken their toll on the traditional farming business and many are forced to diversify in order to make a living. Schemes like the High Level Stewardship Scheme have encouraged farmers to manage the land more sensitively and provide greater access to the general public.

While farms have amalgamated to make them commercially viable many of the old smallholdings have found a new life.