The Brecon Beacons National Park Droving Routes

The Brecon Beacons National Park has a rich droving history as it is on one of the main routes running from west to east across the country. A number of drovers’ pubs and inns were situated along these well trodden routes, providing rest and food for the men and their animals and many still exist today.

Droving such large herds which were often hundreds strong, was not without its difficulties. The animals had to be in top condition when they arrived at market so that they would fetch the best possible price.

The drovers needed a deep understanding of their animals so that they did not lead them too quickly, and made sure they had plenty of food and rest. However, the drovers still had to keep a pace of 15 to 20 miles a day so that they reached their destination on time. It was not just sheep that were transported by the drovers but, whatever was being herded, all the livestock was always well prepared for the trip. Cows were fitted with iron shoes in order to protect their hooves and geese were given leather boots. Turkeys had their feet tarred.

The drovers often used dogs to assist them and a variety of breeds were used depending on the drovers’ preferences and the size of the herd they were in charge of. Welsh corgis were often chosen. Because they were ideal being quick and agile enough to keep the animals on the road, whilst being small enough to avoid being kicked.

Once the drove was over, the dogs would often run home ahead of the owner, stopping at the same pubs and inns as they had on the way. When a drover’s wife welcomed the dog home, she knew to expect her husband in a day or so!

As well as being responsible for hundreds of animals, Drovers were very often entrusted with large sums of money to take to London to pay rents owed to landlords and other financial transactions not related to livestock trade. This growing trade with London led to a number of drovers’ banks being set up.

The Black Ox Bank in Llandovery, founded in 1799 had a black ox on its notes to symbolise its links with the drovers. Lloyds Bank in the centre of Brecon stands on the site of the Brecon Old Bank established in 1778, which financed many Drovers.

In our modern world it’s easy to keep up with the news through television and the internet. At the time of the drovers however, communications between rural Wales and the rest of the world was limited. The drovers played an important part in the passing on of news of world affairs to the Welsh community. News of current events and the latest fashions were eagerly awaited. It is thought that Wales learnt of the Battle of Waterloo and the defeat of Napoleon through the drovers.

Because of the responsibilities associated with their role and the fact that the livelihood of many farmers depended on their honesty and skill, any potential Drovers were carefully vetted. Only men, who owned a house, were married and above the age of 30 could apply. Once successful, they were issued a licence.

Droving had been a part of rural life for many hundreds of years but the coming of the railways in the 1840s and 1850s spelled the end of the droving trade. With the advent of fast steam locomotives a journey that had previously taken five or six drovers many days or weeks to complete could now be done in a matter of hours. The last recorded large scale cattle drive across Wales took place in 1870, and the last sheep drive was in 1900.