20th Centruy - Present Day Farming on The Clumps
20th Centruy - Present Day Farming on Wittenham Clumps
Increasing mechanisation, cheap energy and the use of agrochemicals, massively increased agricultural yields. But, this was at the expense of a wildlife-rich landscape.
Early 20th Century Food & Farming
During the early 20th century, livestock and arable farming alternated on Round Hill and Castle Hill. Up until 1924, arable farming on Round Hill produced wheat, barley and beans. After 1924, Round Hill was sown with rye grass, providing grazing for sheep and cattle.
Shepherds looked after the grazing flocks and used a mobile hut for overnight accommodation on the hills.
Food & Farming During WWII
During WWII, the national drive for self-sufficiency led to renewed ploughing of the Clumps using modern tractors. After the war, Round Hill was again used for cattle grazing.
Present Day Farming on the Clumps
Castle Hill's plateau remained under arable crops until the purchase in 1984 by the Northmoor Trust when both areas were returned to sheep grazing.
