For over a century, the rugged cliffs of Rhossili in Swansea have been graced by the iconic sight of horses grazing against a backdrop of sweeping sea views and rolling hills. Generations of locals and visitors alike have found solace and wonder in the presence of these animals, which have become as much a part of the landscape as the cliffs themselves. But now, this cherished tradition faces a turning point, as the National Trust Cymru has called for a reduction in the herd, citing safety and ecological concerns.
Nicky Beynon, a 62-year-old farmer whose family has farmed in the area for generations, is at the heart of the dispute. According to BBC, Beynon received what he described as a “quite a nasty letter” from the National Trust the week before October 29, 2025, informing him that some of the horses must be moved by December 1. The letter, he said, arrived “out of the blue,” demanding that he reduce the number of horses grazing the historic cliffs and provide proof of his family’s grazing rights.
“They’re trying to say I have to provide information that I have grazing rights,” Beynon explained, referencing the legal entitlement permitting livestock to feed in specific areas. “My family has had the horses for years and we own the land joining the cliff.” The grazing rights, passed down through his family, are not just a technicality for Beynon—they’re a living tradition, one he’s “hellbent” on preserving. “The horses are special and they’ve been there for over 100 years,” he added, underscoring the deep roots these animals have in the community’s history.
The National Trust’s decision followed complaints about a stallion’s behavior and the herd’s size, which allegedly exceeded the agreed limit under the commoner’s right to graze. The Trust’s spokesperson stated, “There had been issues with a stallion on the cliffs who had repeatedly escaped through a pedestrian gate. He pushes his way through visitors on to the road, car park and into the village. This is why we are concerned about not only public safety but the horses’ welfare.”
Beynon, however, believes the real issue lies in infrastructure. “The main problem is that the boundaries are not fenced and the animals are escaping,” he said. He pointed to a foot gate that’s been “not suitable” and a “problem” for people all summer. Despite repeated requests, he claims, “They can’t be bothered to spend some money and fix a gate which would cost a couple of hundred pounds.” The lack of proper fencing and a secure gate, he argues, has made it difficult to keep the horses contained, leading to the very incidents now cited by the Trust as justification for their removal.
If forced to reduce the size of his herd, Beynon faces a painful prospect: selling the horses. “I’ve got better things to do in life than chasing round solicitors and digging out facts,” he said, expressing his frustration at the bureaucratic hurdles. For him, the horses are not just livestock—they are a living link to his family’s past and the broader heritage of Rhossili.
Beynon is not alone in his concerns. Another local farmer, Rob Morgan, has voiced his support, calling the Trust’s request “impossible” and “insensitive,” especially with winter approaching. “It’s a bit of a nightmare,” Morgan told BBC. “Not just tough as in physically finding food and a home for the horses, it’s mentally challenging as a farmer too.”
Morgan also highlighted the deep connection between the horses and the local community, as well as the thousands of visitors who come to Rhossili each year. “People are blown away by the scenery and the animals when visiting the area. They spend five minutes with the horses just to be in the presence of nature itself,” he said. Farming, Morgan noted, can be a “lonely job,” but caring for the horses brings “big smiles” to those who tend them. The loss of the herd, he warned, would be felt not just by farmers, but by everyone who cherishes the unique atmosphere of Rhossili.
For its part, the National Trust maintains that its decision is about ensuring the safety of visitors, the welfare of the animals, and the ecological health of Rhossili. In a statement, the Trust said, “Moving the horses was the best way to ensure the safety of visitors, the welfare of the grazing animals and the ecological health of Rhossili.” The Trust also asserted that there is “already a secure boundary” in place at Rhossili and that additional fencing is not required.
The Trust’s position is not without precedent. Across the UK, land management organizations have sometimes clashed with local farmers and communities over how best to balance tradition, safety, and environmental stewardship. In this case, the concerns revolve around a stallion’s repeated escapes, which have seen the animal push through visitors and wander onto roads and into the nearby village—incidents that raise legitimate worries about both public and animal safety.
Yet, the situation is complicated by the lack of clear boundaries and unresolved maintenance issues. Beynon’s frustration over the unfixed gate and the absence of fencing points to a broader tension between local knowledge and top-down management. The Trust’s insistence that fencing is unnecessary stands in stark contrast to Beynon’s lived experience of managing livestock in the area. This disconnect has left both sides feeling misunderstood and, perhaps, a little embattled.
As the December 1 deadline looms, Beynon and the National Trust are set to meet to discuss the future of the herd. The outcome of their talks will determine whether the horses—so long a part of Rhossili’s identity—will continue to roam the cliffs in their current numbers, or whether their presence will be diminished, leaving a gap in the landscape and in the hearts of those who love them.
Whatever the result, the debate has shone a light on the delicate balance between heritage and modernity, between the rights of individuals and the responsibilities of organizations entrusted with public spaces. For the people of Rhossili and the many who visit, the fate of the cliff horses is more than a local squabble—it’s a test of how communities and institutions can work together to preserve what makes a place truly special.
The coming weeks will reveal whether tradition and progress can find common ground on the windswept cliffs of Rhossili, or if a century-old sight will become just another memory.
