Killerton gallops into New Year with old friends
The ranger team on the Killerton estate, near Exeter, are to welcome back ten Dartmoor ponies to resume conservation grazing on the Iron Age hill fort as part of a major parkland restoration project.
The Dartmoor ponies were a big hit with visitors last year, proving to be as good at posing for photos as they were at munching on invasive scrub, brambles and grass. They were an instant hit on social media and visitors have been looking forward to their return. The ponies will take up residence on Dolbury Hill, also known as the “Clump” and the site of the hill fort, on 14 January.
The National Trust launched the “Bringing Killerton Park to Life” project in November 2015, and it is the biggest investment in the outdoors the estate has ever seen. The Killerton team is working closely with Natural England and Historic England to improve the management of a hundred hectares of ecologically and historically important parkland. The protection of scheduled monuments such as the Iron Age hill fort is vital to preserving the heritage of Killerton for future generations. The efforts will open up sweeping views towards Dartmoor and the surrounding countryside, improve habitats and bring the parkland to life with a range of new walk and play opportunities as well as events.
Trees have been removed from the Clump to prevent their roots disturbing the archaeology of the ancient hillfort. The Dartmoor ponies will now graze the area and help clear scrub and keep down the re-growth. Ed Nicholson, Killerton’s Lead Ranger, explains the work that is happening: “The ‘Bringing Killerton Park to Life’ project has really opened up the Clump, restoring historic views and looking after our veteran trees and archaeology. The careful tree clearance work done by contractors to protect the hill fort will now be followed up by the ponies grazing the remaining thick swards of grass, brambles and other scrub growth.”
Ed also explains why the ponies will have a positive impact on the conservation of this sensitively managed area; “Dartmoor ponies are perfectly suited to sites such as the Clump, because they are robust and nutritionally adapted to grazing scrub. It is high in fibre and low in protein; the best diet for ponies. The ponies make excellent conservation grazers for sites too sensitive for heavy machinery.”
Ed is particularly looking forward to a New Year’s gift from the ponies; “Their trampling of the ground allows more sunlight to reach the woodland floor and encourages a variety of flowering plants. We are expecting a great display of wild flowers this spring, especially bluebells.”
Andy Bramwell, Visitor Services Officer, explained why Dartmoor ponies were the mowers of choice: “It’s hard to believe, but Dartmoor ponies are endangered as a breed; so the National Trust consciously chooses Dartmoor ponies for its conservation grazing work. We want to support the work taking place across the south west to preserve the breed and we have been lent this small herd from the Dartmoor Pony Training Centre. The ponies will be free to wander around the Clump to do their grazing until March.
“The Dartmoor ponies were a real hit with visitors last winter and our regular visitors, staff and volunteers are looking forward to welcoming them back like old friends. Their placid nature makes them ideal for grazing public areas. They will pose for photos and let you approach but please do not feed them, and keep your dog on a lead if you are nearby.”
Killerton’s shop and café is open daily, 11am-4pm. Killerton House opens on Saturday 13 February. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
