Annual City of London Sheep Drive
Date: Sunday 28 September 2025 (bookings will close on TBC)
Time: 12.00 pm
Who can attend: Society members who are Free of the City of London
Cost: £80 for participants, spectators are free
Dress code: No formal dress code but many wear country style clothes and Masters and Wardens usually wear livery gowns and regalia
Venue: Southwark Bridge (and The Oyster Shed for lunch)
Organiser: Helen Steel: m333els@gmail.com
Members’ area (LMS): Click here to book.
Annual City of London Sheep Drive organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen
Please note you MUST be a Freeman of the City of London to particate in the sheep drive itself, but spectators are allowed (see below).
The tradition that Freemen of the City of London are entitled to drive sheep into the City is probably the one that more people know about than any other. The Worshipful Society of Woolmen run this event to raise money for charity each year. Tourists who happen to be there by chance often seem completely mystified by this anachronistic but entertaining event. The Young Freemen dressed in their red gowns help to ensure the smooth running and add a dash of colour. The Lord Mayor is usually in present in full ceremonial dress, and the Master is planning to attend. There are a number of stalls on Queen Street selling various items and there will be demonstrations of sheep shearing.
Spectators: One spectator per participant is usually permitted on the bridge but anyone can attend and visit the stalls.
Lunch: A provisional booking has been made for lunch after the Sheep Drive at 1.00pm at The Oyster Shed, a short walk eastward on the embankment. Lunch will be on a self-pay basis.
The Livery Committee is the Society’s members’ social committee and is separate from the main Society Programme. It operates outside of the governance of the Society, and uses a money-pooling system for all of its events. Net receipts collected by the Society on their behalf are passed to the Livery Committee.
