50 Sheep Take Over Southwark Bridge This September
A Medieval Tradition Returns to Modern London
Picture this: fifty woolly mules trotting across Southwark Bridge on Sunday, 27 September 2026, guided by Freemen of the City and a surprise celebrity guest. It might sound like something from a period drama, but the London Sheep Drive is a living celebration of our capital’s agricultural heritage.
The tradition harks back centuries when Smithfield Market dominated London’s livestock trade. Farmers would drive their flocks across London Bridge to reach the market, with Freemen enjoying toll-free passage—a privilege that dates back to medieval times. Vincent Keaveny, former Master Woolman and Lord Mayor of London, describes it perfectly: “The Sheep Drive is living London history, preserving our past while celebrating wool as a sustainable product with innovative modern uses.”
Though the ancient right is centuries old, the modern Sheep Drive itself only began in 2013 when the Worshipful Company of Woolmen decided to revive this forgotten custom. They moved the event from London Bridge to Southwark Bridge, which closes entirely to vehicles for the day. What started as a fun fundraiser has become a beloved annual fixture that connects Londoners to our city’s wool and farming heritage.
What to Expect: Free Viewing and a Livery Fair
Whether you’re a local or visiting a London museum or London exhibition, this is genuinely unmissable. The event runs from 10am to 4pm along Southwark Bridge, and the best part? It’s completely free. Simply show up and watch as Freemen guide the media-trained sheep across both sides of the bridge. The sheep themselves come from a carefully selected contingent of 600 on a Bedford farm. In the weeks before the drive, they attend country shows and public events to ensure they’re comfortable with crowds and the urban environment.
At the north end of the bridge, around Queen Street and Queen Street Place, you’ll find the accompanying Livery Fair running the same hours. Here, the community gathers to celebrate wool and craftsmanship. Browse stalls selling woollen clothes and accessories, watch expert sheep-shearing demonstrations, and meet representatives from historic City livery companies including the Worshipful Company of Weavers, Basketmakers, and Bakers. Previous years have featured food vendors like Cluck Farmyard and Purbeck Ice Cream, plus rare breed sheep you can meet up close. It’s a genuinely interactive celebration of agricultural tradition right in the heart of London.
Celebrity Guests and Community Impact
Past years have attracted big names to the shepherd’s crook, from Barbara Windsor to Mary Berry, Mark Rylance to Alan Titchmarsh. In 2025, Countryfile presenter Adam Henson took the honour. The 2026 guest remains a mystery—keep an eye on local announcements for the reveal.
For London’s business and community organisations, the Sheep Drive represents more than nostalgia. The event supports the Worshipful Company of Woolmen’s charitable work and brings attention to sustainable, ethical wool production. Local businesses around Southwark benefit from visitor footfall, while it positions our neighbourhood as a place where heritage, community, and innovation intersect.
For residents, this is about more than watching sheep cross a bridge. It’s a free, family-friendly celebration of London’s living history—something the museum and exhibition crowds seek year-round. It reminds us that our city has deep roots and that traditions can be both playful and meaningful. The closure of Southwark Bridge is brief and purposeful, affecting minimal traffic while maximising community engagement. Whether you’re born and bred locally or new to the area, 27 September offers a unique opportunity to be part of something distinctly, authentically London.
