Farmers urge people to respect the Chilterns countryside

Conservation groups in the Chilterns have come together with farmers and landowners urging visitors to stick to paths and to keep their dogs under control when walking in the countryside.

The groups say the South Oxfordshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in particular is providing much-needed pleasure for people at a difficult time.

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However, it is also a farmed landscape with many paths crossing farmers' fields.

The latest lockdown has coincided with a period of particularly high rainfall making paths extremely wet and muddy.

This, combined with far greater numbers of people using their local paths, is now damaging paths and crops.

Picture: Jane Scott, Camera Club

A file photo of the beautiful Chilterns in South Oxfordshire. Picture: Jane Scott (Oxford Mail Camera Club)

Paths have widened to several metres across, with people trying to social distance from each other, or seeking drier ground.

Some people have abandoned the waymarked paths altogether and followed field edges instead to avoid the worst of the mud.

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This is damaging field margin habitats which are important for wildlife.

Daniel Hares, who farms at Buckmoorend Farm near Wendover, has been affected by the increasing amount of visitors.

Buckmoorend Farm. Picture: Google Maps

Buckmoorend Farm.

Walkers widened a path through one of his wheat fields to 10 metres across, which is the equivalent to losing six tonnes of wheat, enough to make around 9,000 loaves of bread.

Chilterns farmers played a vital role during lockdown supplying their local communities with fresh local produce such as the seventh generation Lacey family in Lane End.

The land they manage has always been popular with walkers but recently they have had a surge in numbers – and problems.

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Farmer Ed Lacey said: “We have on-going problems with people letting their dogs off the lead and out of control. We have had sheep killed and injured by dogs.”

The Chilterns Conservation Board’s chief executive, Dr Elaine King, said: “It’s great that more people are getting out and enjoying the nature and the beauty of the Chilterns during lockdown, and we want that to continue.

Children enjoying the spring bluebells in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

File photo of children enjoying the spring bluebells in the Chilterns.

“However, the Chilterns are also a place where people live and work, including the farmers that produce our food.

“We are working with a wide range of farmers, landowners and conservation partners to raise public awareness of this special landscape and ensure that everyone can enjoy the Chilterns safely”.

Walkers are recommended to look at the Countryside Code for further guidance.