Five Norfolk Horn and Oxford Down ewes have returned to Hampstead Heath's Anthill Meadow for a two-week conservation grazing trial, part of a City of London Corporation initiative to boost biodiversity. The sheep, loaned from Mudchute City Farm, arrived on Wednesday, September 10, and will remain until September 21, when they will be sent back to their permanent east London base.
Traditional grazing returns after decades
The Corporation, which manages the Heath as a registered charity, began trialling conservation grazing in 2019—more than 50 years after sheep last roamed the area. Photos from The London Archives show sheep grazing on the Heath dating back to the 18th century, but the practice had all but disappeared by the 1950s.
On Wednesday, a ceremonial grazing declaration was made, with the Masters of the Woolmakers’ and Butchers’ Liveries among those present. Alderman Gregory Jones KC, Chair of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, also attended.
Low-impact alternative to machinery
The sheep are seen as a low-impact alternative to machinery used to boost local biodiversity. Meadow ants, which thrive in this part of the Heath, create conditions that encourage wildlife such as green woodpeckers. Alderman Jones told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “This is not some commercial activity, it is a biodiversity activity. There are anthills, for example, that if we were to mow the grass, treat the grass in a conventional machinery way, they could be damaged.”
The Corporation spends about £13 million a year on the Heath, of which only a few million is recovered in charges. The grazing exercise costs thousands of pounds to run, and Alderman Jones noted that the Corporation is moving its green space charities to a grant funding model, hoping for more financial support from individuals or companies.
Plans for expansion and education
Alderman Jones said there are potential plans to expand the grazing to Highgate Wood. “We do want to look at expanding it, maybe to Highgate Wood,” he said. “And so we're thinking that this is a sort of thing that members of the public and other organisations, also companies, as part of their biodiversity ethos would want to sponsor.”
He added: “One of the messages we want to get out, if there are people [interested], we're happy and keen to speak and see if this program can be expanded. But obviously we would need extra money for that, and at the moment we wouldn't be able to justify taking away the money that we spend on the Heath.”
The research into the history of sheep on the Heath has revealed parallels with current concerns about climate and weather patterns. “Even back in the 19th century there were licenses that were extended because the grazers were saying that we've had a drought, and if it's a drought you can't fatten your sheep. You need more time,” Alderman Jones said. “So even then there was evidence of the impact of climate [change]. Obviously, it's more extreme now. Those days of course they were being allowed to graze on a commercial basis. That's not the basis here. It's completely conservation.”
Summer challenges and enforcement
The heatwaves this summer have posed various challenges for the Corporation, including people jumping into wildlife ponds, fires starting from barbecues, and incidents at the lido. Alderman Jones emphasised education as the first line of defence: “It's not cool to jump in a wildlife pond. We welcome everyone to the Heath, but if you can't behave yourself stay at home, take a cold shower. Otherwise you risk damaging the habitat as well as causing money.”
He added that the Corporation works with the Metropolitan Police and its own constabulary to enforce byelaws and criminal law. “Every pound that we spend on repairing something that's been vandalised or having to deal with a lifeguard who's been assaulted or people who jump into wildlife ponds just because they feel they're hot, and they haven't booked to go into the lido, is a pound that we're not spending on maintaining the Heath for everyone else.”
The sheep will continue grazing until September 21, after which they will be returned to their east London base. The Corporation hopes to expand the programme next year, subject to additional funding, and is keen to speak with potential sponsors.
