About Lismore Sheep Farm
John Crawford grew up on a sheep farm in Scotland and ran a flock of more than 700 on the Isle of Lismore before he and his Canadian wife, Gillian, brought the family to Canada. They moved to River John in 1997 with about 500 sheep, opened the wool shop in 2000 and began making wooden knitting needles on the farm in 2003. Today the flock is about 200 sheep, mostly Dorset crosses, with a few purebred Suffolks and a small herd of beef cows.
The farm shop opens for the season on May 1 and the visitor barn on May 16, both daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a few holiday exceptions. The barn stays open through Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October, and the family's working Border Collies and guard dogs are part of the scene.
Inside the shop you'll find yarn, sheepskin products, knitted goods and knitting and felting supplies, many of them made locally. Picnic tables in spring, summer and fall look out over the sheep and cows. The barn is all one level with smooth pavement, the shop has a ramp, wide aisles and an accessible washroom, and the yard is level gravel. Late each July the farm holds a Shearing and Festival Day during River John Festival Days.
Seafoam Lavender Company is about 15 minutes west along Route 6, so the two make an easy half-day on the Northumberland Shore.
What to do
- Walk through the visitor barn to see the flock, mid-May to Thanksgiving weekend
- Shop for yarn, sheepskins and knitted goods
- Pick up knitting and felting supplies
- Picnic beside the pasture
- Time a visit for Shearing and Festival Day in late July
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Shop opens May 1; visitor barn May 16 through Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (2026)
- Hours
- 2026 season: shop and visitor barn daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with some holiday exceptions
Good to know
- Accessibility
- Barn is one level with smooth pavement; ramp into the shop, wide aisles and an accessible washroom; gravel yard
Tips for your visit
- The barn closes after Thanksgiving weekend, so come May to early October to see the sheep.
- Bring lunch to use the picnic tables by the pasture.
- The farm is just off Route 6, the Sunrise Trail, in Pictou County.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Seafoam Lavender Company & Gardens · about 15 minutes away
Seafoam Lavender Company is about 15 minutes west on Route 6; see the sheep in the morning and the lavender gardens after noon, when the farm store opens.
Getting there
Questions
When is Lismore Sheep Farm open?
In 2026 the shop opened May 1 and the visitor barn May 16, both daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the barn runs through Thanksgiving weekend.
Is the farm wheelchair accessible?
The barn is one level with smooth pavement, the shop has a ramp and an accessible washroom; the yard is gravel.
How many sheep are there?
About 200, mostly Dorset crosses.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Tatamagouche & River John, Nova Scotia
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
