FARMS across Cumbria have been throwing open their doors to help families learn more about food production, agriculture and environmental issues.
They were showcasing a range of their expertise during Open Farm Sunday.
Visitors could explore different settings from an upland operation at Low Borrowbridge Farm, Tebay with its native sheep breeds and Roman Fort to the organic fruit and vegetable site at Low Stanger Farm near Cockermouth or wool spinning at Low Bankside Farm in Cartmel.
Visitors could also discover how farming and wildlife conservation work are taking place side by side in many parts of the county.
Susan's Farm, a social enterprise at Houghton, near Carlisle, welcomed more than 200 visitors through its gates.
Beef and sheep farmer Susan Aglionby, who was giving guided walking tours round the 50-acre site, said: "It has been incredible. The children have been interested in the animals we've got here like Chester the pony, obviously, and people have been interested in our meadow."
Sheep shearer John Armstrong, from Armathwaite, was holding demonstrations just yards from where Chris Wolstencroft, from Hallbankgate, was spinning yarn.
Ruth Alcroft, education officer and a director of the farm, said: "This is the 13th Open Farm Sunday and we've been doing it since it started.
"A really important part of our event this time round is the official opening of our permanent new building which has been grant funded through the LEADER programme.
"This will go towards our sustainability efforts in the long term.
It means we have the facilities in which we will be able to continue to carry out our education work and welcome our visitors.
"We support all kinds of people and groups - vulnerable adults, school groups, all sorts. Last year we had around 3,000 visitors from work experience and pre-veterinary students; our oldest visitor was 104 years old."
Brother and sister Ewan and Megan Mitchell, of Stanwix, went along to Susan's Farm with their mum Rachel.
Ewan, aged six, said: "I've really enjoyed seeing the longhorn cattle. One had a calf with it."
Sister Megan, who is nine, added: "We went down to the fruit meadow. There's some cherries almost ready to try."
Houghton resident Alysha Mitchell is a regular visitor to the farm with her husband Eric and six-year-old daughter Eden.
Alysha said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for the children to come and see what the farm has to offer. It has fabulous educational resources here and they love being outside."
Members of the Bee Conservation Trust and Cumbria Organics Gardeners and Farmers were also among those attending the event.
Dr Davina Hill led a small team from the University of Cumbria's zoology and outdoors studies units.
She was joined by first-year students Shannon Cornish and Tom Wright, who were showing visitors photographs of creatures that had been captured using thermal imaging cameras both on the farm and out in Gambia, where they have been on field trips.
They also had a collection of animal skulls and technological equipment on display.
Dr Hill said: "A lot of people have been asking us about the things you can't see and asking about the technology we use to monitor everything."
Elsewhere, visitors to Low Bankside Farm at Cartmel had the chance to meet Bankside Boer goats and spin wool.
Sheep-handling demonstrations, animal feeding sessions and riverside walks were among the free activities on offer.
