Cattle in our parks

The Council currently grazes cattle at three of its parks, Hartham Common in Hertford, Pishiobury Park in Sawbridgeworth and Red, White and Blue to the north of Grange Paddocks in Bishop’s Stortford. 

Familiar to residents of East Herts from previous stays in our parks, traditional English Longhorns and British Whites have been introduced into parts of these spaces, to be managed by expert breeders and graziers.

These cattle will provide an extensive grazing system, keeping down invasive tall grasses, scrub and sapling trees in environmentally sensitive areas. This clearance allows for a more species-rich spread of other grasses and wildflowers in valuable habitats. Cattle also turn over the ground with their hooves and produce natural fertilisers for the plant life.

Breeds identical to these Longhorns have grazed parks across the country since the 1750s and have been bred over the centuries to graze native grasses and wildflowers without the need for intensive grassland management using fertilisers and pesticides. The Longhorn cattle bred by one of our graziers, Maydencroft Manor Farm, are noted for being particularly docile and relaxed around children, and even dogs (though dogs should be kept under control and on a lead around grazing cattle). 

By grazing the cattle, we are also affording families the chance to see livestock in an otherwise arable landscape, offering opportunities to introduce children to the realities of where their food comes from.
 

The cattle in our parks can become anxious around dogs. Not maintaining control of your pet whilst around the cattle could cause them to panic and run dangerously, or could cause worry-induced miscarriages. Dogs should always be kept on a lead around livestock to prevent risk to the cattle, the pet and the public. 

The Government’s Countryside Code further suggests that:

  • Dogs should always be kept on a lead, and in-sight
  • You should be confident your dog will return to you on command
  • You should ensure your dog does not stray from the path or area where you have right of access
     

Additionally, always clean up your dog’s poo because it can cause illness in people, livestock and wildlife.

You should never leave bags of dog poo around, even if you intend to pick them up later. Deodorised bags and containers can make bags of dog poo easier to carry. If you cannot find a public waste bin, you should take it home and use your own bin.

 

Our Parks

Red, White and Blue is a large open space located to the north of Grange Paddocks, linked by woodland and meadowland along the River Stort.

Part of the open space is grazed by rare and traditional breeds of cattle in the summer months. English Longhorns and British Whites have been introduced into the spaces, to be managed by expert breeders and graziers from Maydencroft, a leading conservation service based on a working farm in Hitchin (Maydencroft Manor Farm). The graziers are keen to engage with the public about the cattle and will be present on-site.

Please contact the grazier Chris on 0782111653 to report an issue with the cattle in Red, White and Blue.

Furthermore, there is a sectioned-off picnic area adjacent to the car park where people can watch the cattle whilst enjoying a picnic. The car park is at the end of Cannons Mill Lane off Rye Street, CM23 2BN.

Find out more about the Red, White and Blue area
 

Pishiobury Park is managed by East Herts Council to reflect its parkland character, for nature conservation and quiet informal recreation and is an important area for wildlife with much of the park grazed by cattle in summer. 

English Longhorns and British Whites have been introduced into the spaces, to be managed by expert breeders and graziers from Maydencroft, a leading conservation service based on a working farm in Hitchin (Maydencroft Manor Farm). The graziers are keen to engage with the public about the cattle and will be present on-site.

Please contact the grazier Chris on 0782111653 to report an issue with the cattle in Pishobury Park. 

Furthermore, there is a sectioned-off picnic area adjacent to the car park where people can watch the cattle whilst enjoying a picnic. 

Find out more about Pishiobury Park
 

Hartham Common is a large, well established public open space in the centre of Hertford, comprised of wildlife-rich river corridors, cattle-grazed meadows, and a network of paths and various recreational facilities. It is now owned and managed by East Herts Council.

In 2013 it was dedicated as a Queen Elizabeth II Field in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Together with the Environment Agency, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) and the Countryside Management Service (CMS), the Council has developed an area of Hartham Common near St Leonard's Church into an enclosed grazing meadow of wetland grassland with new ponds. An additional small grazing meadow was created as part of the Hartham Common 4 Rivers Project in 2015.

Find out more about Hartham Common

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