Why a Gen Z Londoner can graze sheep in the Welsh valleys

Caleb Tutt’s life looks much like that of many Gen Z professionals in London – rent, student debt and a routine shaped by commutes and convenience food.

But there is one thing that is very different.

He has the right to graze livestock on common land – a 680-year-old honour – in Llantrisant, a town in south Wales 160 miles (257km) from where he lives.

Freemen can graze animals on the land owned by them, external, which in this case is Cymdda Bach and Brynteg.

Caleb, 24, remembers having the conversation about the freemanship with his dad when he was growing up, who explained he inherited the historic title from his grandmother’s mining family and would be be able to attend a ceremony to celebrate his birthright.

“I wasn’t 100% sure what it was, but in my mind it would look something like a grand coronation with ermine cloaks and gold,” he said.

He had forgotten about it all and, as Covid hit in 2020 when he went to university, the freemanship “fell by the wayside slightly as life got in the way”.

So, when dad James messaged him out of the blue about his ancient right to look after animals on the land, it was “like finding a fiver down the back of the sofa”.

“All of a sudden here’s something eccentric, albeit materially meaningless, that I could do.”