Peak District authority warns visitors not to 'hug' Highland cattle amid 'TikTok craze'
The Peak District National Park Authority has issued a fresh warning to visitors, advising them to steer clear of cows amid a wave of social media videos showing people hugging Highland cattle.
As previously reported, cattle grazing near Baslow Edge have become something of a tourist attraction in recent years, with many passers-by seeing the shaggy-haired fold as photogenic subjects for holiday snaps.
But the arrival of spring has brought a new wave of TikTok and Instagram videos of people getting too close for comfort, in some cases lying down next to the cattle to cuddle and stroke them – likely encouraging a stampede of social media sheep to follow suit.
In response, PDNPA has reminded visitors about the dangers of interacting with unpredictable animals.
A spokesperson said: “The Peak District National Park Authority warns against getting close, feeding, or taking selfies with cows.
“Hugging cows – the new craze recently seen on TikTok - should be avoided as it is highly dangerous due to the risk of being trampled, charged, or attacked, especially when cows have calves.”
Mingling with the cows is not only potentially dangerous, it can cause major headaches for farmers.
In 2019, Alex Birch was forced to slaughter many of the cattle after a member of the public complained to the Health and Safety Executive that they had behaved aggressively towards a dog on a lead, and in 2024 another report led the RSPCA to closely scrutinise the farm’s practices.
Anyone visiting the area who would like to get better acquainted with a cow can do so in a professionally supervised session a short drive away at Whirlow Hall Farm, which runs Highland Cattle Experiences.
In a post on the Peak Highland Cows Appreciation Society Facebook page, the farm owners said: “People touching the Highland Cows, this could lead to the removal of the fold again.
“Please do not approach or touch Cows without the owners permission. Seems like people have forgot about the health and safety issue in 2019 which resulted in the whole herd having to be moved with lots killed.
“If you would like to get hands-on on with Highland Cows then please come to a Highland Cow Experience such as ours.”
For more details, visit www.highlandcowsofthepeak.co.uk.