Cattle return to Bartonsham Meadows in Hereford
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust reintroduces ancient breed to aid habitat restoration
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust has begun grazing cattle at Bartonsham Meadows in Hereford city as part of its plans to manage the site for wildlife and people.
These floodplain meadows, situated along the River Wye, have a long history of livestock grazing, having been managed for pasture for a dairy herd until 2018.
The cattle reintroduced to the site are white parks, a rare breed that has been in Britain for over 2,000 years.
Due to falling numbers, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust moved them to its “priority” category in 2026.
Currently, five cattle are grazing part of the meadows set aside for natural regeneration.
This area, previously ploughed for crops, is turning into a diverse mosaic habitat, benefiting birds, mammals, and invertebrates like reed bunting, sedge warbler, and whitethroat.
Eco-friendly grazing method
The cattle are expected to promote habitat diversity through selective grazing and trampling.
By keeping some patches short and allowing new vegetation to grow, the ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife and plant life.
The rest of the reserve is being restored into traditional floodplain meadow and will be cut for hay before a grazing period.
Infrastructure and community involvement
For managing the cattle safely, new fencing has been set up, alongside development of a hard standing area at one entrance.
This has led to the partial closure of certain visitor routes, although most popular paths remain open, including a scenic perimeter route by the river.
David Hutton, Nature Reserves Project Manager, expressed gratitude for their collaboration with Simon Dale, a farmer with multiple sites in Herefordshire.
Supported by local volunteers, daily checks on the cattle are performed alongside satellite tracking for monitoring.
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust began leasing Bartonsham Meadows in 2023 and launched the Restoring Bartonsham Meadows project in 2024.
Backed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will run until June 2027, aiming to restore the floodplain meadow and promote community engagement through events, school visits, and volunteer opportunities.