Water Meadow

Several times a year visitors to Petersham are reminded of a time when Petersham Meadows were frequently flooded.

 Visitors are clearly warned but most don’t see the sign. The clue is in the name, River Lane.

 The meadows themselves are protected by a low wall along the river and an earth bank along River Lane.

The End of Another Season

All the cows departed safely and another season draws to an end.

The National Trust was quick to remove all their signage but these posts remain as a reminder of the dog attack and the ‘temporary’ electric fence.

Last Day of the Season

The herd make the most of the lasts days on the meadow

All in their winter coats: Little Bull and the other calves forage under the Oriental Plain

2 days to go

The clocks have gone back and the first day of winter has arrived. In two days the herd will be off to their winter home

At this time of year the herdsman provides extra feed as the grazing declines

The cows are due to calf soon and this additional feed is quickly consumed

3 days to go

Picture this scene of calves enjoying their first summer on Petersham Meadows

Last seen June 2011

Charolais with her bull calf

The National Trust plan will rob us of enjoying this magical sight again

4 days to go

 “But we can’t ignore the fact that, whether through pressures of time or physical access, as a nation we seem to be increasingly disconnected from the fabric of the country and there is a real danger of a ‘generational gap’ opening up where young people feel terrified at the prospect of going into the countryside” 

Fiona Reynolds, National Trust Director-General

Beware countryside ahead

5 days to go

Just a small hop from Petersham Meadows is the ‘peaceful respite’ of Richmond Park; well that’s how the Royal Parks describe it. Richmond Park is home to about 650 deer, roaming free with people, their dogs and horses, bicycles and even cars. The deer are wild but accustomed to sharing their home with others. The Royal Parks asks visitors to ‘Always keep a respectful distance’ from the deer.

 Red Deer Stag, Richmond Park

The National Trust on the other hand considers Petersham Meadows a place of danger. Each weekend a temporary electric fence creates ‘a buffer between the cows and the public walking their dogs’.

 Cows grazing by the Thames