Bagot goat herd set to return to the cliffs of Cromer

A herd of Bagot goats is set to make its annual return to Cromer's seafront.

When they are released onto the cliffs later this month, the goats will meet one of their number who evaded capture at the end of last year's grazing season - and has been there ever since. 

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Councillor Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), which manages the herd, said: “She’s been perfectly happy.

The lone goat still on Cromer's cliffs (Image: Simon Lhomme)

“We have a vet who has been regularly checking up on her to make sure she’s all right and there is lots of food up there."

Bagot goats have been brought to the town's seafront cliffs by the council every summer since 2016 in an effort to control the vegetation and limit the food sources available for rats.

Mr Adams said the goats have been “immensely popular” since their arrival at the cliffs and that they should make their summer return some time in July.

The herd of Bagot goats on the cliffs of Cromer (Image: Denise Bradley)

The goats are usually rounded up in September and moved to other pastures - but this time around, one stubborn female dug her heels in and ended up staying on the cliffs on her own throughout the winter.

READ MORE: Lone Bagot goat still on Cromer cliffs after evading capture

Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) (Image: Liberal Democrats)

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Mr Adams said the goat would be banned from returning to the Cromer cliffs if she was caught at the end of this season.

He said: “They’re hardy goats in the wild and they’re perfectly happy in harsh winter environments.

“Once she does come down, though, she won’t be going back up – she’ll be a goat looking for a new home.”

The Bagot is believed to be Britain’s oldest breed of goat, and was first recorded in 1389.