Photographing Rebel the Working Border Collie at Cragg House Farm, a Hidden Gem in Buttermere
Earlier this April, I found myself on a dog photography project immersed in sheep-speckled hills, surrounded on all sides by mirror glass lakes and listening to the echo of working collie commands at Cragg House Farm in Buttermere. Tucked away in one of the Lake District’s most serene corners, but a totally manageable drive from where I am near Carlisle, this working farm is a quiet powerhouse of grit, tradition, and breathtaking views. I wasn’t just there to soak it all in and have a holiday (but I will definitely be back for that!), I was there to photograph Rebel, a sharp, focused, and highly trained working Border Collie, in his element.
There’s something incredibly humbling about spending time on a farm like this. It’s not curated, not polished. It’s real and oh so wholesome. And so are the dogs: no-nonsense, intelligent, and deeply bonded with the land and their handlers. Photographing a working dog like Rebel in this environment was less about posing (believe me, I tried once and he wasn’t having any of that - noted!) and so much more about honouring who he is: a dog with purpose who lives to work.
Working Dog Photography in The Lake District - Why?
Photographing working dogs feels like coming full circle for me. I have a Border Collie of my own, Scout, who comes from working lines near Biggar in Scotland. She’s the whole reason I got into dog photography after the loss of my rescue Sheltie Indy. Although Scout isn’t a sheepdog herself, watching her switch on when she’s given a job to do brings out a completely different side of her. Focused, alert, and totally in the zone. It’s incredible to witness and training her makes me feel so alive too. It strengthens our bond, and this is something I strive to capture in the working dogs I photograph.
Growing up, I used to watch collies working the sheep in the fields next to my nan’s house in Wales. I’ve probably been to the Royal Welsh Show more times than I’ve been to music festivals, and I would beg my nan to take me to watch sheepdog trials where possible as a kid. My own history also generated yet another connection to Rebel whose full name is actually Elan Valley Rebel - I spent SO much time in the Elan Valley in Wales as a kid, as my nan lived in Rhayader the gateway town to this breathtakingly beautiful part of Wales.
Being around working dogs has always felt familiar to me, even before I had one of my own. As I’m about to bring Scout back to the UK after a chapter of life in Hong Kong, I get all emotional thinking about seeing her back in the landscape she was bred to thrive in.
Watching Rebel work at Cragg House Farm has definitely helped me understand Scout even more. The intensity, the calm (yes, we have those moments too), the connection with their handler. It all clicked into place. These dogs were bred to move, to listen, to think. Seeing that in action deepened the respect I already had for working dogs, and I truly hope this has come across in the final images.
I’m not just a domestic dog photographer, I’m also an experienced wildlife photographer who has won a major international title for a documentary style image of hyena. I see my images of working dogs as the perfect halfway house between my domestic dog portraiture and wildlife. They retain the grit and dynamism of documentary style wildlife photography but are finished with the polish and artistry of my signature dog portraits.
This experience at Cragg House Farm has also shaped how I’ve crafted my working dog sessions. These are not about quick snaps or blurry dogs in the distance. They’re designed for farmers and shepherds who want honest, striking, and personal images of their dogs doing what they do best. Every session is built around the individual dog, their work, and the story they’re living every day.
Cragg House Farm: A Truly Special Place
Nestled in a beautiful stretch of land between Crummock and Buttermere lakes sits Cragg House Farm, run by Rachel and Alister, whose roots in Cumbrian farming stretch back at least seven generations. The farm is home to native Herdwicks, the ewes I watched worked by Rebel, the award-winning Derwent Kerry Hill flock, and the High Stile Bagot goats, whose milk is turned into handmade soaps by Rachel herself. Every detail reflects care and purpose and there are so many wonderful touches here, it’s the perfect place to base yourself to explore the northern Lakes.
Rachel balances life as a teacher with running all aspects of the farm, showing, judging, producing wool and meat boxes, and writing a recipe book based on her own homegrown produce all with her one-month-old baby boy Cameron strapped to her chest. She works with all of the 6 sheepdogs at the farm and has handled Rebel to great success in trials, most recently winning the New Handler at the North Westmorland Championship Trial. I thought I worked hard until I met Rachel!
Iconic Herdwick Sheep are driven by Rebel on the shores of Crummock Water.
And then there’s Jacob, Rachel’s 8 year old son. He’s full of enthusiasm, knows everything about every animal on the farm, is determined to tame the new baby goats Bethany and Beatrice, and somehow finds the time to run his own egg business with his rare breed hens.
I walked away with half a dozen including some rare blue-shelled eggs - the last box of the day, might I add - and I’d walk back just for more. Since returning home, I’ve made poached eggs for my breakfast and used them in carbonara - can confirm, they are delicious!
I stayed right on the farm in their holiday cottage, which sits tucked into the west wing of the farmhouse. It’s dog-friendly, so very peaceful, and has views that are hard to beat. The space is self-contained, with everything you need, and it made a perfect base to get a good night’s sleep before photographing Rebel early in the morning.
The cottage has all the essentials: a comfy bed, a cosy lounge, a warm welcome from Rach, and easy access to all the beauty of Buttermere just outside the door. I only stayed one night, but I could have happily stayed a week. Even though I was up super early, I felt incredibly well-rested.
Cragg House Farm is more than just a place. It’s a family home built on generational knowledge, hard graft, and a genuine love for the land and the animals on it. And if you’re lucky enough to spend time there, even briefly, you’ll leave feeling that too.
From Cragg House Farm, you can take several beautiful walks in and around Buttermere and Crummock water - just the other side of the National Trust car park next to the farm you can meander through a stunning patch of mossy woodland and down toward the water’s edge. Make sure you say hi to Dave and friends, the fell ponies in the field towards Crummock, on your way to the perfect place to watch the sun set and the sky turn eye wateringly beautiful in the golden light.
Rebel Without a Pause
Elan Valley Rebel is the kind of dog that makes you stop mid-sentence just to watch him move. Red, white and tan, with eyes full of intelligence and unwavering focus, he’s at the top of his game. Sharp, responsive, and completely in tune with his handler, Rachel. At five years old, he’s already a fully trained farm and trial dog, and it shows in the way he works. Last winter, he and Rachel his handler began trialling together to great success: he picked up 5 first places in their first season together!
What stood out most wasn’t just his skill, though, it was the balance he has between work and affection. When I met him in his kennel, his eyes lit up at the attention, and he showered my hands with licks. The morning we went out together, he bolted out straight toward me to bombard me with love and excitement. His temperament and work ethic cannot be faulted at all: one moment he’s confidently shifting sheep across the fells, the next he’s melting hearts during school visits. He’s steady, affectionate, and genuinely loves the company of people. It’s a no brainer as to why he’s such a favourite at Cragg House Farm.
Mabel watches her favourite channel on Collie TV: her kennel looks out onto the goat field.
Rebel arrived in Buttermere from Pembrokeshire in the spring of 2023 after a winter of trialling, and it didn’t take long for him to settle in. Whether it’s a full-scale gather or a handful of stubborn sheep, he meets each task with patience and precision. You should check out some of his impressive fell gathers on TikTok, it truly is a sight to behold.
Photographing him was a quiet joy once I got into it - it was easy to be a bit gobsmacked at the sight of him driving the Herdwicks down the hill and I had to quickly remind myself I was there to do a job myself! Rebel wasn't working for the camera, it’s clear to see he works for the love of it.
We had to stage several maneuvers for me to get the shots I wanted, and work a bit repetitiously, so I joked with Rachel that Rebel had no idea what the whole point of the exercise was, but he gave it 200% all the very same. What a dog.
Rachel has 6 working collies currently at Cragg House Farm and I truly wish I had the time that day to have photographed them all… she’s given me even more reasons to absolutely have to go back!
More Than a Farm: Experiences at Cragg House Farm
Cragg House isn’t just a working farm. It’s also a place where visitors are welcomed into the rhythm of rural life. Whether you're there for a peaceful stay, to learn more about native and rare breeds, or simply to spend time around animals, there’s something quietly special about being on-site.
Me and my assistants - photo credit (left) Rachel Willan.
They run sheepdog demonstrations that offer a front-row seat to the intelligence and skill of working collies like Rebel. Watching a dog drive sheep is something else entirely when you’re seeing it live with the Buttermere fells all around you.
This May, the farm is holding a family-friendly open day on the 11th. You can meet the animals, take part in hands-on activities, and even upgrade to a High Stile VIP pass for £3.50. VIPs skip the queues, receive a bag of animal feed on arrival, and get to plant a runner bean to take home and grow over the summer.
For something quieter on a different day, you can book their exclusive picnic with goats spot for up to eight people. The farm is nicely tucked into the heart of Buttermere, with goats grazing the fields, stunning views in every direction, and cheeky Oxford Sandy and Black piglets playing next door. The spot costs £25 and includes parking and access to toilet facilities for your visit.
From handmade goat milk soap and rare breed eggs to fleece products from their own Derwent Flock, everything at Cragg House feels thoughtful, hands-on, and grounded in care. It’s more than just a day out. It’s a real connection to the land, the animals, and the people who live it every day.
You can check availability and book out Rachel’s cottage at Cragg House Farm online here instantly.
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If you’re a farmer or shepherd looking to capture striking, authentic images of your working dog in action, I’d love to hear from you. My sessions are built around real work, real dogs, and the real bond between you.