July 5, 2025, 6:43 am | Read time: 3 minutes
At the stunning cliffs of Bournemouth, an unusual attraction is causing a stir–and garnering likes. Here, goats not only graze to protect the vegetation but also clean up trash, drawing tourists in droves as social media stars. But how did this come about?
Since 2009, a herd of goats has been living on the south coast of England, employed as natural landscapers. Today, the animals are known not only for their environmental work but also as viral celebrities. But how did a herd of goats in Bournemouth become a viral sensation?
Goats with a Mission: Conservation on the Cliffs
Anyone currently walking along the cliffs of Bournemouth experiences more than just the view of the miles-long beaches. With a bit of luck, you might encounter a herd of goats—one of the region’s most unusual tourist attractions. Since 2009, the communities of Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole have been using the animals specifically to maintain the fragile ecosystem along the 11-kilometer coastline. Originally, the herd consisted of ten animals that grazed the difficult-to-access terrain to protect the vegetation. This initiative replaced human labor in challenging areas.
“The test phase was successful back then, and so the project was expanded,” explains a spokeswoman for the “Bournemouth Goats” initiative to TRAVELBOOK.
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From Conservation to Viral Sensation
What began as a practical conservation project soon developed into a media phenomenon. The animals are now known far beyond the borders of Great Britain. The Facebook page “Bournemouth Goats,” where photos, videos, and news are regularly posted, has more than 13,700 members. On Instagram, they have around 3,500 fans, and TikTok records over 200 subscribers.
“We post here regularly, and our fans like to include the goats in their own content,” reports the spokeswoman. In her view, the animals have become a “real tourist attraction.” Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project gained significant attention, with a steadily growing fan base.
Growth with Perspective: The Herd Expands
Currently, about 50 goats graze year-round on the cliffs—with numbers rising. A doubling to 100 animals is already planned. The media continues to report regularly on the herd. For instance, in June 2025, when a kid named “Midget” was born three weeks early and was not accepted by its mother. Thanks to human assistance, the animal survived. Fans regularly learn new updates about the little “runt” on the group’s Facebook page.
Goats as Environmental Guardians and Trash Removers
The animals not only help nature through their grazing activities—they also promote the cleanliness of the area. According to the “Bournemouth Echo,” the goats have uncovered trash in the past that was overgrown by plants and had remained undiscovered for a long time. Volunteers now regularly collect the waste.
The herd lives on several hectares of land, where different goat breeds coexist. At popular viewpoints along the coast, signs now indicate the best spots for observing and photographing them.
Souvenirs, Stars, and a Royal Quadruped
Accompanying the project, there is now an annual goat calendar, as well as hand-knitted figures, bags, and other gift items. The proceeds fully benefit the well-being of the animals. A special star of the herd was Llywelyn, the former mascot of the Royal Welsh Regiment, who participated in the celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday. In 2023, triplets were born in the herd for the first time—another chapter in the success story of Bournemouth’s “lawnmower” goats.