RANGERS on the Malvern Hills are urging walkers to ensure they close gates behind them after several reports of some being left open recently.
Gates have been left open multiple times at Black Hill car park, behind Malvern Hills hotel and on the east side of the Beacon, Malvern Hills Trust said on July 31, 2025.
The gates at Black Hill car park contain cattle within a compartment. Thankfully no animals escaped but the road leading to the car park is very busy and is on a sharp bend.
After gates were left open on the east side of the Beacon, sheep escaped and had to be recovered from gardens in town on July 30.
The trust also received a report of a gate on Hancocks road being left open, perhaps by a delivery driver.
We have reported this to local police who will be now aware for similar incidents occurring.
A spokesperson for Malvern Hills Trust said: “Of course it could be that people are not aware of the implications, but they can be serious.
“If livestock walk onto a road they can cause traffic accidents or come to harm in other ways (dog attacks, become separated from the herd and become stressed, exposure).
“Fenced compartments are there for a reason, as are the gates and livestock themselves – please respect the Hills and Commons and help us keep everyone safe.”
