TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award Winner 2020 – 2021 – 2023 – 2024
Reviews from millions of Tripadvisor travellers place this Attraction in the top 10% worldwide
“A Wonderful Experience. We had an absolutely brilliant day with this interesting, very skilled and charming man. He is obviously a master of his trade. His dogs are wonderfully well trained and their abilities surpassed all of our expectations”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Location and Meeting Arrangements?
Launde Abbey is located in Leicestershire, England, 14 miles east of the city of Leicester and six miles south-west of Oakham, Rutland.
Address: East Norton LE7 9XB
Phone: 01572 717254
Clients should park to the right of the Abbey, on the grass, where I will meet them.
In the event that you are late please call the Abbey or me to advise of your delay or to get directions. In the event that I am not present please come to the reception or cafe and ask a member staff. I will always endeavour to communicate with them and inform them of my whereabouts. After a reasonable time, normally 30 minutes, the experience will commence without you, should other participants have arrived promptly.
Can Children Attend?
Children are welcome, however parents must accompany children under 18 years and must also attend on an exclusive basis.
How long will the experience last?
The experience will last approximate 4.5 hours – 10:00am – 2:30pm, with an hour for lunch.
What can I expect on the day?
Stunning views and beautiful countryside. To be educated about the traditional art of shepherding with a Border Collie. Experience the thrill of working with livestock at close hand. Work both fully trained and young dogs (dependant on availability). Discover the power of silence, confidence and calmness. To be able to multi-task whilst being mobile – Men will find this easy! To understand how three species, each with a mistrust of one another can come together and work in harmony. To be thrilled, surprised, exercised, excited and exhilarated, with plenty of laughter! To understand Nij’s approach to “intelligent sheepdog training” and the wider implications of this. Quality locally sourced food is also available. If you are really lucky the Red Kites may also pay us a visit. When possible photographs will be taken to record your day and emailed to you, (photos may be reproduced on our websites), if you do not want photos taken please advise of this in advance.
Is this suitable for me?
Our experience days are suitable for both individuals, couples or groups (5-8 maximum). We also cater for specialist groups such as dog training clubs, rescue societies and businesses. Whether you are a lover of the Border collie, the British countryside or wish to engage in team building we can cater for all your needs. Our experience days have proved to be popular not only for visitors from the UK but worldwide with people coming from as far as South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Hong Kong, Spain and America. Children under 10’s are welcome but restrictions may apply on participation. *Please note spectators will be classed as participants therefore costs will apply.
We try to minimise on walking however to participate, a good level of fitness is required. If you have mobility problems we will attempt to tailor the experience for you but it is best to discuss any special arrangements with us and also to attend exclusively.
Do I have to participate?
It is not a requirement that anyone has to participate in working with a dog or sheep, however, most people usually have the option to do so and this can provide a lot of fun for all participants. Some aspects of participation require physical fitness whilst others simply require quick voice commands.
Children, depending on age and maturity may or may not want to participate. Equally elderly clients or those with injuries may not be able to work a dog. We try to be as flexible as we can.
The welfare of the dogs and sheep is paramount at all times. In the event that the weather is extremely hot or the ground and landscape pose a significant potential of harm to the dogs, your practical experience might be curtailed. Please bear in mind all of my dogs participate in sheepdog trials competition and as such I have to safeguard them from injury.
Can I Make Additional Bookings?
Yes – For each additional adult, the cost will be £85 pp and for each child, over the age of 8 years, a fee of £25 per child will apply. For children under 8 a fee of £10 per child will apply.
Will receive a voucher?
Once a booking has been made we will email an E-voucher. Should you require a physical voucher posting please request this when making the purchase. In such circumstances a voucher will be posted to the person booking and not the recipient. If your voucher expires you can purchase an additional 6 months for £20pp. Payment for this can be made by bank transfer. Please request bank details by email to nijvyas1@gmail.com.
What do I do if I book a voucher via a partner company?
Our partners are: INTO THE BLUE & WONDERDAYS
Please email us with voucher codes once you have redeemed your voucher. They do not offer exclusive days so if you wish to upgrade your existing voucher and come exclusively and not as part of a group, this is possible. Please get in touch and we will forward details. Also additional vouchers/add-ons can be purchased often at a discounted price.
Can spectators attend?
All participants have to have booked and paid in advance and spectators are not permitted. If however your partner or family member wishes to join us for lunch this is permissible, as long as we are informed in advance, so a place can be reserved.
What sort of clothing is suitable?
Clients are reminded to bring suitable outdoor clothing which is waterproof and layering is also advisable. It is better to bring too many clothes than not enough. Hats and gloves are also advisable, particularly in the winter.
Will the experience go ahead during Inclement weather?
On the whole, a farmer has to shepherd in all weathers and as such, the experience days will go ahead, unless there are weather warnings. Please always ring to confirm if in doubt, as emails can be unreliable. Generally, late cancellations within two weeks of the agreed date are not refundable. All cases, however, will be considered on merit.
How do I find Launde Abbey?
Is easily accessible by all major roads and rail networks. It offers comfortable en-suite accommodation and hospitality that is second to none. Each of the bedrooms has been beautifully furnished and has either an en-suite shower or bathroom and there are plenty of places around the Abbey for guests to sit and enjoy the peace and tranquility of Launde Abbey with the lovely landscaped gardens. For the enjoyment of all guests there is a coffee area and dining room, a licensed bar, as well as a small shop selling snacks, sweets and biscuits.
Visit the Launde Abbey website
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What else does Rutland & the surrounding areas offer?
Rutland is the smallest historic English county offering something for everyone. The market town of Oakham and Stamford and Rockingham are a short drive away offering many quaint shops and cafe’s, whilst Rutland Water, a large artificial reservoir is popular for watersports and cyclists, with walkers and bird watchers as it is an open nature reserve for wildfowl and a breeding site for ospreys. The reservoir is also the best location for seeing red kites which were introduced to the area a few years ago. Rockingham castle, home of the Saunders Watson family who have lived in the Castle for 450 years, sits on an escarpment overlooking the Welland Valley and countryside beyond. Surrounding the Castle are magnificent gardens and grounds providing a haven of peace and quiet.
Can you recommend suitable dog friendly accommodation?
If you wish to extend your weekend and stay over we can provide you with details of suitable accommodation in the area:
Launde Farm Cottages – 2 cottages that back onto the 60-acre parkland where the experience takes place. Dogs are welcome and horse stabling is also available.
Rutland Rural Retreats – is a very small, adult-only, super dog-friendly, rural glamping site with just two glamping pods and one Shepherds Hut, all discreetly sited for privacy and with enclosed gardens, you truly can just relax and unwind in tranquil surroundings with your canine companions by your side.
Is lunch available on the day?
Lunch is booked at Launde Abbey for approximately 12:15 pm. There is a good selection of quality snack meals and sandwiches, with a generous selection of homemade cakes. It is not necessary to bring a packed lunch. All tastes are catered for and the staff are very accommodating. Lunch is not included in the price.
“Great Experience!
What a great experience – beautiful location (despite the weather!) and a privilege to see Nij in action with his amazing dogs. Very mindful and engaging and a brief glimpse into the depth of knowledge and experience that Nij has gained and uses with his dogs.”
“Unique Experience!
I was privileged to spend the day yesterday with Nij and his wonderful dogs. Goodness these dogs take it to another level. It was an amazing experience to see how these dogs handled the flocks. The venue is beautiful and the facilities in the abbey excellent. A wonderful experience and makes one appreciate the skills and dedication of those who compete in sheepdog trials.”
Visit from comedian Tim Vine
Young Farmers Visit
Students from Myerscough College in Preston attended our Sheepdog Experience Day. Working with young farmers and school children is an essential part of our work. Young farmers our our future and working with sheepdogs, undoubtably, provides the most economical and efficient way of working with livestock. Sheep can be very labour intensive and the use of a well trained Border Collie will without doubt free up a vast amount of time enabling farmers of all ages to maintain a healthier work -life balance.
We offer visits from schools and colleges at Launde Abbey or visit you in order to give talks and demonstrations. Some of our sessions are hands on and participants can experience working with one of our well-trained dogs.
National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs
If you are a Young Farmers group leader and wish us to give a talk and demonstration we would only be too happy to oblige.
Please email us for further details so we can tailor your Sheepdog experience day.
Schools and College Visits
Children thrive and learn most effectively through hands-on experiences. We offer a unique opportunity to engage in experiential learning by herding sheep with dogs, an activity that not only fosters valuable skills but also aligns with sustainable practices, boasting the lowest carbon footprint compared to alternative methods like quad bikes and gators.
Why not enhance your experience by hiring the spacious room at the Launde Abbey Conference Centre which is very competitively priced. It is well suited to run activities such as team-building exercises to going on nature walks. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
