Spoiled walks – Cattle Safety

Miley and his wife have to wade across a stream to escape cattle.

Incident number 1305
Date: 30.08.26
Site: Public footpath alongside of Egglestone Abbey near Barnard Castle. County Durham.
Bull with cows and calves (Comment: very large brown cattle with small horns.)
2 walkers with dog on a lead.

Miley’s Report: “We were walking from woods towards grasslands alongside Egglestone Abbey. This was the only route back to the gate onto the road where we started. We had already passed in one direction with no sign of cattle. On route back across the grassland there was a large group of brown cattle grazing near the stream; they were blocking access to the footbridge our path went over. Myself, wife and our dog on a lead walked around the outside of the cattle. The cattle moved to surround us on either side, making loud noises and moving towards us. I picked our dog up and started walking quickly to make an escape, the cattle followed and, as our access to the footbridge was still blocked by cows and calves, we had to cross the stream to escape. My wife was petrified. This was a very scary experience. On exiting the gate onto Abbey Lane we noticed a very small sign on the gate saying ‘Livestock present’. I would urge larger signs be installed to warn walkers whilst young calves, cows and bulls are present. We would not have entered this public footpath if we knew they were there. A very dangerous ordeal that could have ended in serious injury, I consider ourselves very lucky.”

Cattle Safety comment:

So glad you’re OK! Yes we also believe you are fortunate to not have been injured in that situation. We hope you inform HSE about this Report an Incident – Cattle Safety contact us on cows.safety.group@gmail.com. We noticed a report of cows blocking the way on the OS map, unsure if that was you or another poor walker.

Devon or Staffs; dog or no dog; near misses with cows happen – they need fencing off

Report: 1291

Date: 3/8/26

Location: Cullompton, highbanks, Devon. W3W ///relocated.waters.request

2 walkers, no dog

Single cow, ? Charolais

Report: “We were walking along the opposite side of the field next to the bushes, the cows were down by the river. They had moved around a bit, but they weren’t near us and we weren’t near them, a couple were still coming out of the river, a couple were grazing they were all near each other. There were no signs of aggression from any of them that we saw. We didn’t see the cow running at us before it was right next to us it had b-lined straight for us from across the field, we’re not sure what set it off. In fight or flight we jumped into a thorn bush as we had no time to move and it stood and stared directly at us for 5 minutes before walking back to join the herd and continue to graze. A couple of the cows in that group had little scuffles after that but it took 20 minutes till we felt comfortable enough to leave the bush and they were far away enough again. It’s a very public area with plenty of footfall generally, but there were only a few people out as it was between 9-10pm and no one was in the area at the time it happened.”

“I’m unsure on how to feel as it is a very public area. I haven’t had any issues before, they’ve been curious but I’ve never had an experience like that. I know a lot of kids and dog walkers walk through highbanks. I also know you’re meant to act bigger to scare them off but we had no time to think before it was next to us and fight or flight kicked in.”

Report 1294

Date 6/8/26

Location: Public Footpath between Bilstone and Congerstone in Staffordshire

2 walkers 1 dog on a lead

Group of cattle (?Holstein) black and white

Elizabeth’s Report: “We were walking with a Jack Russell on a lead and after entering the field the cows started walking then running towards us we tried to backtrack to leave the field but couldn’t make it in time. We jumped over a small barbed wire fence and were trapped between the cows and a canal. My husband came to rescue my son and I by yelling and swinging a cane. The cows only cleared off for long enough for us to run towards the gate to escape but they were close on our heels.”

Boisterous cattle on the Cotswold Way stop walkers following the path.

Incident number: 1290
Date: 2/8/26
Site: On the Cotswold Way public footpath at Sands Farm (between Dyrham and Pennsylvania/ (Cold Ashton) just before where the Cotswold Way crosses Gorse Lane. The very approximate coordinates are 51.468770,-2.378849.
Type of cow: Boisterous group of young cattle.
2 walkers, no dog.

Report: “At approximately 12:00 noon, Sunday 2nd August 2026, my mother and I were forced off the Cotswold way footpath due to being charged by a herd of young, boisterous cattle. We were following the Cotswold way sign posts, which took us into and signposted us across the field, we were definitely following the correct route. The field was shortly before the Gorse Lane crossing.

This walker says they will never cross a field of cows again after incident on Welsh coastal path

Incident number: 1286

Date of incident: 14.07.26

Location: Welsh Coast Path in the Vale of Glamorgan heading west from Cwm Nash towards Dunraven.

Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW

Charles’s story

“I was walking across the fields along the clifftop on the Wales Coast Path. In the second field there was a large herd of cows grazing right by the path. Being apprehensive about passing too close to them I started walking around the perimeter of the field to try to avoid them. This of course meant temporarily leaving the path. About half way across they were still grazing peacefully so I cut back diagonally across the field in order to reach the path exit gate on the other side. I kept glancing at the cows to see if they were still OK and when about three quarters of the way across I noticed about half a dozen of the nearest ones staring at me – perhaps they had not noticed me before. I was walking at a brisk pace across the field but not running. The next time I glanced at the cows around 5 or 6 were running towards me. I therefore started running, but I was confident of reaching the gate before they reached me. I had walked that way before, I knew the gate opened, and I knew there was no way they could cross through the gate or over the wall adjoining it. So I was not too worried. But when I got to the gate I saw that the whole herd of estimate 40 to 50 cows – some quite large – was charging full tilt towards me. Furthermore if I had not been near the gate they would have overtaken me as they were running far faster than I could. So it was with huge relief I passed through the gate. What triggered this I don’t know. I did nothing to provoke them. Perhaps it was because I was walking across the middle of the field which they regarded as their territory. But the key point is that if they had noticed me earlier and had started running before I was in reach of the gate, I believe they would have charged me, knocked me over and possibly trampled me to death. I believe the farmer responsible should not put such unpredictable cows in a field through which runs the Welsh Coast Path – perhaps he resents this and it is his way of deterring walkers.

I believe they are a danger – I will never cross that field again if they are there even at the expense of a lengthy detour inland. What if children had been involved. I believe this incident should be reported.”

A broken arm after being headbutted by cow near to Exeter canal at Turf Lock

Incident number: 1285

Date of incident: 04.07.26

Location: Exminster footpath 3, between RSPB land and the Exeter Canal at Turf Lock.

Status: Group of walkers (between 3 and 5) with no dog on PRoW

Roger’s account of the incident

“We were walking back to the RSPB footpath, ant 8pm, after a meal at the Turf pub. The path crosses a field, but is not marked at that point. There was a small herd of cows in the field, which we had already passed once earlier, on our way to the pub. We tried to avoid the cows, but they came running over to us. We continued around the edge of the field, shouting and waving at the cows, to keep them away. But one of them walked up to a woman in our group, and head butted her to the ground. She got up, realised that her arm was broken, and ran with the other two of us to the gate, where we escaped. We returned back to our car and I drove to Exeter hospital, where the arm was x rayed and set in a cast. The following week, she had an operation to set the broken bones and insert a plate, to aid recovery.

We reported the incident to the landowners, the pub, the Council, the police, and the Health and Safety Executive.”

1066 Country walk – Hastings Link – advertised walk – Cattle charging for no reason

Incident number: 1282

Response ID: 330,099,718

Date of incident: 04.03.26

Location: TQ 85130 12615. 50.88336, 0.63050 OS reference 1066 Country Walk, Hastings Link

Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW

Susanne’s story

“I entered the field and saw the herd by the stile at the opposite side. I was unsure whether to carry on but had no choice in order to avoid a huge detour. I decided to walk round the edge so the cows wouldn’t feel I was walking towards them but as I had got about a third of the way they suddenly started running towards me. I tried to follow all the advice about making yourself look tall and retreating calmly but as they were picking up speed there was no way I would have made it back. I managed to run towards a side gate and climb over with one cow pushing at my leg as I was doing so. I then had to hack my way through brambles and nettles to get to a lane but anything rather than going back to that field. This is a long-distance footpath and I also often see cows on other sections as well as the South Downs Way, Wealdway and the Vanguard Way. At least long-distance paths really need cows behind a fence in my view as you often have no option but to continue”

Chased by cattle on National Trust marked route at the Sheffield Park Estate

Incident number: 1276

Response ID: 330,048,467

Date of incident: 08.07.26

Location: Sheffield Parkland, Uckfield. TN22 3QX. On the Tolls circular walk route. Established, signposted route for visitors. National Trust property.

Status: Two people without a dog on National trust ROW

Amber’s story

“We were walking the Tolls route at Sheffield Park Estate – an approximately 45 mins circular route marked with sign posts. The park invites you to walk their parkland and issues maps with the trails on them and signposts several routes with coloured arrows. A staff member verbally stated to us also, on the day, that we could walk on the parkland (outside of the gardens which are a fenced in area around a large house). About 15-20 mins into walking, we were in a huge open area of grass with a few areas of scattered trees, quite far apart from each other, and a larger wooded area beyond a fence in the distance to our right. We were aiming towards a signpost in the distance. A large group of black cattle were far in the distance beyond the signpost. They began to turn and look at us and then to walk in our direction. We diverted 90 degrees directly towards the wooded area with a fence (and we could see a gate). They tracked us and turned towards us. They began to run. I don’t know how many there were, maybe around 20 or more. I felt we had no option but to run at that point, to try to reach the edge and the gate before they reached us. It was terrifying. I felt we were literally running for our lives at that point. We reached the gate and I remember the panic I felt as I was trying to wrestle it open. We went through it. As I turned and shut the gate I saw them all right there behind us, they had reached where we were. We walked away into the wooded area immediately. We then had the problem that the circular route required us to go back through that gate. We had to find an alternative route through adjacent fields. That was also stressful because then we were guessing the direction and limited by barbed wire. Luckily we found large gates to pass through or climb, between fields and made our way back to the car.”

Cattle with calves not fit to be on a public right of way in Horninghold Leicestershire

Incident number: 1274

Response ID: 330,024,462

Date of incident: 05.07.26

Location: Horninghold, Leicestershire. GR 819 976 (Path No B101). Footpath running between Knob Hill Farm and Burn Hill.

Status: Two people with dog on the lead on PRoW

Chris’s story

“We passed through Knob Hill farm which is a danger in itself due to dogs running loose. However, the farmer did put the dogs away to let us pass. When we entered the large field above the farm we noticed a herd of cattle on the opposite side. I put the dog on the lead and we tried to skirt round below the ridgeline so that the cows wouldn’t see us. However, as we got to the middle of the field they came over the brow of the hill and began to charge towards us very aggressively. Probably about 50 cows, including calves. They were most interested in the dog so I let the dog loose for our own safety and told my daughter to try and make her way to the fenceline as I retreated with my back to the cows trying to keep them at bay. One of them charged past me and lunged for the dog. The others came right up and I had to wrap one on the nose to stop it charging over me. As we got to the fenceline it looked as though they had backed off but then came another charge. My daughter managed to throw the dog over the fence and clamber over, ripping her leggings and cutting her hand on the barbed wire. I had managed to pick up a stick to try and keep them at bay an just had enough time to make it over the fence. I’ve been walking in the countryside all of my life and this was the closest I have ever been to being trampled by a herd of cows. They were incredibly aggressive, no doubt protective of the calves, and not fit to be in a field with a public footpath running across it.”

Anglesey coastal path – a thunder of cows hooves as cows approached walkers

Incident number: 1272

Response ID: 329,962,214

Date of incident: 9^th May 2026

Location: Near Anglesey equestrian centre the costal path

Status: Couple of people walking on PRoW with no dog.

Kat’s story “There was 3 fields with cows and calves in. The

farmer and his helper saw us and said, go through quiet.

In the second field there was a calf lying on its own and a hedge to the right of us We could see cows and calf’s to the left of the field so assumed the mum was there.

As we were approaching to go past the calf we heard a thunder of hooves behind the hedge. We didn’t know there was an opening to the field we were in. Next minute they all came thundering through the gap 4 foot from us.

Was awful never been so scared in my life. We couldn’t retreat backwards as the ones that were on the left of the field had moved to where we needed to get back to the style They were snorting stamping their hooves. We knew had to attempt to get to safety so my husband said if we walk sideways into the middle of the field the mums should stay with the calves and we can get to the next stile. Thankfully the dog wasn’t with us.”

Kat adds “It needs to be law that farmers can not put any form of cow on a public footpath If no other option must fence the footpath off”

It could have ended so badly near Speaks Mill, Hartland

Incident number: 1269

Response ID: 329,908,514

Date of incident: March 3^rd 2026

Location: Hartland near Speaks Mill on the SW coastal path

Status: Group of walkers with two dogs on a lead on PRoW

Dani’s story “Walking along the SW coastal path following an All Trails app trail when we come to a gate with no signage what so ever. Two adult males, a teenage male and myself a lone female, two dogs on leads with us, continued to walk the path and we came across cows in the middle of the field. They all suddenly turned attention on us, one cow with horns started charging and jumping at us which made them all start to run at us. Cliff edge with a huge drop a couple of metres to our right so we had to choice but to run to the other gate (we didn’t know not to run at the time as never encountered this aggression in cows before) We had to walk back through this field again on the walk back to get back to the car, we didn’t see any signs of the cows this time as we got to the gate which again had no signs, they were right at back of the field rather than near the cliff edge so thought we were safe but to our shock they again made their way from all the way at the back right corner of the field to the coastal path again trying to charge at us. The male members of our group waved arms and made loud noises but it didn’t stop them charging at us so again we just ran. I didn’t know the advice regarding letting the dog leads go in this scenario but to be honest I know both of my dogs would have just stayed by my side regardless.

I think we were so SO lucky not to be injured or worse in this instance and I only think it’s because our group members thought to try scare them that it confused them a bit. I genuinely experience trauma and PTSD from this experience it could have ended so badly”

Dodford footpath leading to Bournheath – walker cornered by a mixed herd

Incident number: 1266

Response ID: 329,840,622

Date of incident: 18.06.26

Location: Field adjacent to top of Yarnold Lane, Dodford leading across to Bournheath ( to right hand side as driving out of Dodford

Status: Lone walker with dogs on lead onPRoW

Sarah’s Story “The cattle approached (they were a mixed herd of Charolais, Hereford, friesian and possibly even a Guernsey) as we walked into the field and quickly blocked off the possibility of turning back.

The cattle were playful but kicked out and when I let the dogs of the lead and told them to run so I could use the leads as a whip to wave in the air to keep the bullocks back they cornered each of the dogs and I and we had to make our way through two fields blocked in both front and rear and on two occasions on all sides … I am a beef farmers daughter and have helped herd cattle for many years however I have never been cornered like this.

Sarah is understandably extremely anxious and shaken and adds “I wish to report this as had I not had experience with cattle I suspect at least one of us would have been injured – the cattle may appear friendly but with a dog it is a different story- two very friendly withdrawn guide dogs were not a threat and were walking nicely initially – they were petrified and clearly in danger – the bullocks were trying to toss them”

Trapped by cattle on weavers way near Halvergate

Incident number: 1264

Response ID: 329,834,345

Date of incident: 10.06.26

Location: On the Weavers Way footpath, between Stone Road, Halvergate and Berney Arms, shortly before the railway line.

Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW

RW’s story

“I was walking on the path across the marshes, following the Weavers Way path. A group of about 20 cows ran at me. I took cover between a kissing gate and a fence. Trapped for about 90 minutes. Some of the cows were aggressive. I phoned the police on 911; they were concerned but, due to the remoteness of the location, were unable to assist. Eventually, I left the gate and turned back to Halvergate. A few of the cows were aggressive but did not maintain their chase.”

They add “Cattle should be separated from dedicated footpaths such as the Weavers Way, ie by fencing or similar.”