05/06/2026
A ewe-nique chapter of ExxonMobil Fawley’s history 🐑
As we approach our 75th anniversary, we are continuing to explore some of the fascinating stories and memories from our past.
For many, one of the more unusual sights as early as the 1950s was the site’s very own flock of sheep.
Sheep were regularly grazed within the site during the summer months to help maintain the main tank installation areas. The flock was cared for by two shepherds and their trusty sheepdogs, making Fawley one of the few industrial sites to have shepherds on its payroll.
With our footprint stretching over 3,000 acres, this piece of history highlights the remarkable contrast between an industrial complex and the rural landscape of the New Forest edge.
It’s a fine reminder of how industry and nature have coexisted across Fawley over the decades, and still to this day.