The meadow at Ham House was mowed by London’s last herd of working shire horses – provided by the charity Operation Centaur. Cutting the meadow in this traditional fashion helps maintain the ideal conditions for native wildflowers to flourish. The mowed grass was then raked and collected at Ham House before being sent across the Thames to an English Heritage team who spread out the hay in the south west corner of Marble Hill park.
Kate Slack, English Heritage’s Head Gardener at Marble Hill House and Park, said: “Meadows like those at Ham House are sadly become more and more rare. By laying this local hay, we hope that a new meadow full of colourful plants like Lady's Bedstraw and wildlife such as grasshoppers and butterflies will also thrive at Marble Hill.”
Ham House Head Gardener Rosie Fyles said: “These flood meadows have been part of the London landscape since the 17th century and would have been used for grazing or cut for hay and feed.