Staying safe around our deer herd

April 14, 2023 | Nature news | 3 minute read

Visitors to Holkham will no doubt have spotted our herd of Fallow deer who roam and graze freely within the park. It’s always a wonderful sight! However, deer are wild animals and their space should be respected to ensure they don’t become agitated. Here are our top tips for enjoying the deer safely.

Admire the deer from a distance and never touch them

Whether you’re walking, running or cycling in the park, it’s best to keep at least 50 metres away from deer to ensure they are not spooked. This is increased to 100 metres during the rutting season (autumn). Do not attempt to stroke or pet the deer.

Use binoculars

Bringing binoculars is a great idea, as these allow you to observe the appearance and behaviour of the deer from a safe distance. They’re handy for watching the birds too!

When photographing the deer, zoom in or use long lenses

The herd is a popular subject for photographers, particularly during the rutting season. We are regularly tagged in fantastic photos of the deer on Instagram taken by our visitors. We strongly advise taking these using the zoom function on your phone or camera, or opting for a long lens to get your shot.

Keep dogs on short leads

Dogs can easily threaten deer, even if they are well-behaved and a long distance away. Please ensure your dog is walked on a short lead and kept under close control in Holkham Park throughout the year.

Do not attempt to feed the deer

We have plenty of grassland and trees to keep the herd satisfied. Please do not attempt to give them extra food. Doing this encourages deer to approach humans, which could prove dangerous.

Dispose of litter in bin bays or take it home

Deer can be attracted to picnic scraps and rubbish left lying around, so it’s imperative that all waste is disposed of appropriately. You’ll find a number of bin bays and recycling stations around the Courtyard area in Holkham Park. Please use these or take your rubbish home to help our herd stay safe and healthy.

We thank you for your support in keeping our deer herd as happy and healthy as can be. If you would like to learn more about our Fallow herd and safely observe them from our tractor trailer, join our Deer and Wildlife Safari taking place in May, June, July, September and October 2023.