Rare breeds have long held a special place in the heart of Countryfile’s Adam Henson. Inspired from a young age by his father, Joe Henson — who introduced Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs to their Gloucestershire farm and opened the Cotswold Farm Park to the public in 1971 — Adam continues to champion rare livestock alongside his television work.
Recently, Adam joyfully announced the arrival of a dozen “delightful” newborn Golden Guernsey goats at the farm. He describes the breed fondly in Countryfile magazine, noting their small, nimble frames and distinctive large, forward-pointing ears that give them a comical yet friendly charm. Though their milk is prized for its quality, Golden Guernseys are not commonly found in supermarkets due to their low productivity, making them uneconomical for most farmers to raise.
More compelling than their charm, however, is the breed’s perilous history. During World War II, Golden Guernsey goats — native exclusively to the Channel Islands — were at the brink of extinction. Cut off under German occupation, rationing led to widespread slaughter of livestock. With very few goats left, a local woman named Miriam Milbourne heroically hid the remaining Golden Guernseys in her home, risking severe punishment, to save the breed from disappearing forever.
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Adam reflects on this “sobering thought” that such an appealing and distinctive breed nearly vanished entirely. In his research for his book A Breed Apart, he uncovered that Milbourne kept the goats hidden in her house at L’Ancresse throughout the war. After the German surrender, Milbourne bred the goats back to over 30 by the 1950s. The breed was later imported into England in the late 1960s, with the British Goat Society establishing a registry for Golden Guernseys in 1971.
Despite these efforts, Golden Guernseys remain rare. The 2024-25 Watchlist from the Rare Breed Survival Trust still classifies them as an ‘at risk’ breed. This year, the goats received a distinguished honour during the royal visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Guernsey. The breed was granted the prestigious title “Royal Golden Guernsey Goat,” a testament to their valued heritage. King Charles III, a Patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, underscored the significance of this recognition.
Adam praises Miriam Milbourne’s extraordinary efforts as “a remarkable story, fit for any Hollywood action movie.” Her bravery ensured the survival of a cherished breed that continues to thrive today.
Catch Adam Henson on Countryfile this evening (Sunday, May 31) from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm on BBC One.