A bucolic Constable landscape? No - central London yesterday: stunning photograph of grey shire horses pull traditional Victorian mower across meadow at Kensington Palace

• e-mail

It could be a classic painting depicting 19th century rural life in all its simple, romantic glory.

In fact this image was captured at Kensington Palace in the heart of London just yesterday.

Two magnificent grey shire horses, Nobby and Heath, pull a traditional Victorian mower across the meadow at the royal residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the charity responsible for the upkeep of the building, decided two years ago to start employing more traditional methods in the gardens, the first time in more than a century that anything had been cut with a horse-drawn mower. 

Cutting back on fuel: Two majestic grey shire horses were photographed in action cutting grass at Kensington Palace this morning. The Palace has been using more traditional methods in the gardens and this was the first time in more than a century that anything had been cut there with a horse-drawn mower

Now that's horsepower! Shire horses Heath and Nobby pull a traditional Victorian mower to make hay in the palace meadow the old fashioned way at Hampton Court Palace

Nobby, eight, and Heath, 12 are part of a team of eight shire horses that reside at Hampton Court Palace – the last working herd of shire horses in the capital

One of the advantages of using shires is that the meadow, which is left to grow wild over the summer, takes on a more authentic appearance, as the grass is cut more roughly.

Nobby, eight, and Heath, 12 are part of a team of eight that reside at Hampton Court Palace – the last working herd of shire horses in the capital.

They are cared for by Operation Centaur, which has worked with HRP for more than 25 years.

The organisation’s Dr Andreas Liefooghe said: ‘Not only do the shire horses provide a relevant conservation service, they are also keeping a tradition alive – visitors to the palace and gardens are amazed to see this work taking place in Central London, and marvel at the skill of the horsemen and grace of the horses.’

An HRP spokesman added: ‘It’s a much more environmentally friendly way of working.’

Make hay while the sun shines: The magnificent horses made light work of the meadow which had been allowed to grow freely over the summer months, the cut vegetation can be used to make hay to sustain livestock over the winter

One of the advantages of using shires is that the meadow, which is left to grow wild over the summer, takes on a more authentic appearance, as the grass is cut more roughly