As the gents have said, dogs are a serious no-no and might even get you killed if there's calves around.

Assuming the above is a given, cows - especially young ones - are very inquisite and will want to come and see what you are doing in their field. Face up to them, make no sudden movements and simply walk calmly past. Easier said than done, I know, but I speak from experience having to cross several pastures every Sunday where I live.

If you run, the beasties will thinks it's a great game and chase after you! To be on the safe side check out the field before you enter - is there a fence you can dive over if needs be? And carry a stick as a last resort!

It's a confidence thing. Shouting phrases like "Gertcha!", often helps.

Be careful, be very careful. Treat them as equal - their inner lives are rarely fed by farmers. They get bored (and treat as animals). Sucking noises calm any mammal, and many birds. They love being scratched, preferably with a wire brush! They'll eat plastic-like cagoules, or try to. If they like you they'll lick and slobber and not let you go. Breathe into their nostrils if you want them to remember you. They appreciate water carried to them in a bucket, extra strong mints and having the plates of dried kak picked out of their hide. The fiercest looking ones are sometimes the most docile. Don't approach a bull wearing red or without identifying a secure escape route. That's enough to start with probably!

I always found that they match you speedwise. So don't run away. Pretty difficult with hot cow-breath down yer neck.
Mind you, as 'I' said, 'a coward you are Withnail, an expert on bulls you are not!'

So maybe running and shouting is not the best bet...

If in doubt walk along the perimeter of the field so you can dive into a bush or something. I think the best policy if you have nowhere to dive to immediately is to avoid any interaction, act like your presence is the most natural thing in the world, don't suddenly freeze or run or stare the beasties out, only shout if they are within feet and haven't yet slowed down :)

I used to be completely unafraid of cows except when there was horns of any length or description, they freaked me out totally. Until I was ambushed by portugese cattle with 2ft horns and came very close to being overrun, now I treat all bovines with respectful indifference and avoid mixing with the male of the species where possible. Kind of hard with creatures this curious though.
I've been 'escorted off the premises' a few times by frisky bullocks that only charge once you are within touching distance of the fence, mostly they are all bluster but above all they are extemely curious animals. If you have to resort to shouting at them then just shout, dont go all nutty jumping and stamping, they will usually retreat and respect an authorative voice but an upredictable nutcase might make them feel a more 'proactive' response might be called for to eliminate the danger!

A couple of years ago, Mrs G and I were walking up Golden Cap, and there were cows everywhere on the far slope.

We made our way through them, warily. A calf was being extremely frisky, and kept darting around behind us. At one point, we heard a thunder of hooves getting louder and louder. We quickened our pace, hearts racing, when the noise stopped suddenly! We immediately turned round to see the calf going arse over tit! It then ran away in embarrassment and we weren't bothered by it again.

How we laughed. I've had no fear of them since. I lost all respect for them that day. ;)

in all seriousness, though, even longer ago, I was with a friend at West Kennett Long Barrow. On the path up there, there used to be the odd few cows or bulls. This day, a solitary bull was minding it's own business when a child started waving a bundle of grass at it through the gate. The child was quite noisy and insistent, and the bull eventually charged, clanging into the gate. The child was petrified!

We were the other side of the gate. In the field. With the angry bull. I don't mind admitting I fair shat myself. It turned toward us and started walking our way. As we backed away, the bull got faster. My friend stopped dead, stared at the bull and hissed loudly. The bull stopped in its' tracks and turned away. We hurried out but weren't bothered by it again!

So there you go. Face up to the damn thing and hiss.* ;)

G x

* Warning: This method may not work in 100% of situations!

Can I just say what a brilliant and timely thread this is! For the last month I have been "chased" by bullocks on nearly every walk I've been on (the visit to Boy's Grove round barrow was actually the result of me hopping over a fence to avoid a closer encounter than I would like). I always carry a rucksack, have no dog and probably spend most of the time looking shit-scared!! I never used to mind them at all, but now I've started planning routes to avoid fields with cows in (which is difficult as the OS map doesn't show cows, annoyingly. Need one of those maps off Harry Potter).

Anyway, I'll try facing down a few sheep and then work on my calmly-ignoring-cows zen thing. I don't eat meat, perhaps they can smell carnivores and realise I'm no threat to them!

Last time we went to Boscawen-Un I got bitten on the bum by a goose, while my girlfriend laughed (and made her escape). :-)

I turn to the cows as if they're the reason I'm there, and take pictures of them, tell them how good they are and how big and healthy they are .
Always look like your pleased to see them and greet them cheerfully.
congratulate them on carrying off the new look so floorlessly.
Always comment on there outstanding beauty.
Whilst the daft effers are full of them selves try and squeeze of a few
pictures of the stones, then if you have the technology
get Scotty to beam you the hell out of there.
Never works for me but you might have better luck
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/3604/lettergorman_north.html

Just go around by another route.

Here's a tip with cattle.
http://www.spraguephoto.com/stock/images/Nicaragua/ni04-19%20Nicaragua%20Cows%20ruminating%20on%20the%20Managua%20garbage%20dump.jpg

I've had this problem on Dartmoor a few times and as there are not many walls/hedges i have found the best way is to wave something like a coat or shirt , I once did it with a small camera bag , at them and shout while walking towards them. I have found this makes them back off. The reason they are coming towards you is they think you are the farmer with feed for them.

Peace , Lubin