Why We Use Sheep Grazing in Gedling House Woods & Meadows
Every winter, small flocks of sheep graze in the meadows. This is a key part of how we manage the reserves responsibly and sustainably.

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Why we graze the meadows
Sheep grazing is one of the most effective and environmentally sensitive ways to manage wildflower meadows. It helps to:

• remove the final growth of summer grass
• reduce coarse grasses that would otherwise dominate
• gently break up the ground with their hooves, creating tiny pockets of bare soil where wildflower seeds can settle and germinate
• create better conditions for wildflowers to return strongly in spring
• encourage greater biodiversity across the site

This gentle, natural approach reduces the need for machinery and avoids chemicals.

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How the grazing works
Grazing usually happens between November and January, depending on weather and flock availability.
We manage the flock by rotating them between the three meadows:

1. Sheep typically start in Meadows 2 and 3, leaving Meadow 1 open.
2. Partway through their stay, they move into Meadow 1, and Meadows 2 and 3 reopen.

This approach keeps closures to a minimum and ensures at least one meadow remains available wherever possible.

Access & dog walkers
We know people feel differently about the sheep — some love seeing them, others prefer having all the meadows open, particularly when the woods are muddy. Dog walkers sometimes find it inconvenient.

When the sheep are grazing, we ask visitors to keep dogs on a lead anywhere near the flock. Even the calmest dogs can become curious or excited around livestock, and a relaxed flock makes the grazing more effective. This is particularly the case if we have pregnant ewes on site.

Thank you for helping us keep them safe while they’re doing their important conservation work.

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