The Herdy Company has opened its fifth store in the Lake District. This newest addition made its debut in Ambleside on Saturday May 25. It joins branches in Grasmere, Keswick, Bowness, and Kendal – reinforcing the brand’s commitment to its Cumbrian roots.
Founded in 2008, The Herdy Company draws inspiration from the Lake District’s beloved Herdwick sheep. The brand designs and sells a variety of gifts and homeware items, each one embodying the charm and resilience of the Herdwick breed. Over the past 16 years, Herdy has become synonymous with quality, community, and sustainability, gaining a loyal following both locally and internationally.
Herdy co-founder Diane Hannah said: “Ambleside is not just another location for us; it is a part of our story, a town that reflects the heart and soul of the Lake District. We are thrilled to bring our new store to this vibrant town, and we look forward to welcoming customers to experience the unique charm and quality that Herdy stands for.”
“We put on a bit of a show with a chance to meet Heidi and Henrietta, courtesy of the Bread & Butter Theatre Company. There were also competitions, prizes and giveaways for everyone to enjoy”
Herdy co-founder Diane Hannah
The Lake District is one of the UK’s top tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. This vibrant tourism scene provides an excellent platform for Herdy to reach both new and returning customers.
On opening day, Ambleside was abuzz with excitement as Herdy welcomed friends and fans to the new store. But the highlight of the event was the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which featured the hilarious Herdwick characters Heidi and Henrietta and their pram full of plush lambs – as seen at Spring Fair.
Diane commented: “We put on a bit of a show with a chance to meet Heidi and Henrietta, courtesy of the Bread & Butter Theatre Company. There were also competitions, prizes and giveaways for everyone to enjoy.”
One of the standout features of the new store is a larger showcase for the company’s Herdysleep brand, which offers sustainable mattresses made with locally sourced Herdwick wool. Diane explained: “The inclusion of Herdysleep in our new store allows us to highlight the versatility and quality of Herdwick wool. It’s a natural, sustainable material that offers excellent comfort and durability. We’re excited to share this with our customers and provide them with products they can feel good about.”
Herdy has ensured local businesses have also benefited from the new store build. Diane said: “We’ve used 100% local tradespeople to help us deliver our vision for the new Herdy store and the quality they’ve achieved with the fit out is extremely high and testament to their skills.”
