For one day only, Chillingham Park will open to the public, offering tours to previously unseen corners of the park. The park, home to the world famous Chillingham Cattle, will offer visitors the chance to see some of Britain’s only wild cattle up close and personal. Taking place on Friday 22nd July, the event will also make this the perfect day out to celebrate the summer holidays.
These tours are a fantastic opportunity to see the cattle closer than ever before and learn more about their incredible heritage and history.
In addition to getting up close and personal to the cattle, the tours may also go all the way to Ross Castle where the views are unrivalled and offer excellent photo opportunities.
The tours will be conducted by Professor Stephen Hall (Emeritus Professor of Animal Science). Professor Hall will offer visitors a detailed look at the history and environment that make the park so unique.
Throughout the day chainsaw artist Ross MacNeil will be transforming fallen branches around the park into stunning carvings that will be available to purchase, offering visitors the chance to take a part of Chillingham home with them.
Speaking in advance of the event, Chillingham Park Warden Ellie Crossley said: “This event is really exciting for us at Chillingham and gives us the opportunity to show visitors parts of the park that are really off the beaten track. This will be a wonderful chance for the whole family to learn more about the cattle and the park as a whole.”
The Chillingham Wild Cattle Association will be on hand to supply more information and answers to questions, and so of course will the world renowned Wild Cattle, which have roamed the park for hundreds of years without human interference. Genetically identical, the cattle are said to go back to the Aurochs that roamed the European plains for thousands of years.
The trailer tours will take place at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm and must be booked in advance, as space is limited. A recommended donation of minimum £10 per head is invited. Children must be aged 10+ to go on the trailer ride and must be accompanied by an adult. For further information and to reserve a place call 01668 215250.
Walking tours will continue as normal at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, but there is no need to book. More information on the day, the park and the cattle can be found at www.chillinghamwildcattle.com.