Parkland Livestock
Deer
The Deer Park at Tatton was created by Royal Charter
in 1290. Eight centuries later, the deer still provide a
magnificent sight for visitors as they roam freely in over 1,000
acres of beautiful parkland. The deer herd are managed by the
Ranger team who are justifiably proud of the superb quality of both
the Red and Fallow deer which total 400 breeding head.
When the park is busy, the stags and bucks can often be
encountered in small bachelor groups, but many of the female deer
move into their private sanctuary which is a very important factor
for the herd's wellbeing. This is also the area where the majority
of young are born in June although just occasionally newborns can
be found within the public parkland. If you do see any young whilst
visiting the park, please leave them alone as their mother will not
be far away.
Deer behaviour changes seasonally so they are of interest
throughout the year, especially in the autumn when the ‘rut’ gets
underway. Triggered by shortening daylight hours and cooler
weather, the rut marks the time of year when male deer compete to
mate with females resulting in much posturing, bellowing and
wallowing.
Best Times and Places to View the
Deer
Deer Leap view of the sanctuary NE corner
On quiet evenings around the Old Hall
Stags can be seen along Knutsford Drive in the summer
Fawns and calves ‘following’ in early and late July
During the rut in Autumn
Winter mornings during the deer feeding programme south of the war
memorial
Sheep
The will of the last Lord Egerton of Tatton requested
that two rare breeds of sheep continue to be grazed on the Tatton
estate and today these unusual sheep flocks can be found in the
various paddocks around the Mansion.
The black sheep are a rare breed called St Kilda or Hebridean
and are one of the oldest existing flocks on record dating from
1887. The small brown ‘goat-like’ sheep are Soay, a small and
primitive breed thought to have been farmed in the bronze age.
During the spring and summer months a tenant farmer also grazes
his flock of sheep on the parkland together with occasional
cattle.
Best Places to View the Rare Breed
Sheep
Overflow car parks near the Children’s Adventure
Playground
April and May are a good time to view the lambs
In the Ice pond field opposite the Mansion
All animal stock need peace and quiet. Please help by keeping dogs
under very tight control and not approaching too closely.
Why not book yourself onto one of our deer/nature walks
with the Rangers and find out more about our wildlife?