Palace Leas originated as one of a group of long term experiments at Newcastle University 's Cockle Park experimental Farm. The management of Palace Leas has continued to the present with only minor modifications. The large unreplicated plots are variously manured each year and the hay cut.
Livestock then grazes the aftermath regrowth.
A large number of research papers have been published and many other results exist in manuscript form. As well as annual measurement of the yield of hay and frequent analyses of the botanical composition of the sward, there have been many measurements of the soil properties and of the fauna and the microbial population . The plots are in continuing use for research and are available for use by researchers from outside The Department of Agriculture .