Welcome to the

#RealNewForest

Shared with you by the New Forest Commoners Defence Association

Welcome

Discover the real New Forest – an incredible living, working landscape, shaped over centuries by the animals that graze it, and the people who own and care for them – the “commoners”: Ordinary people with an extraordinary commitment to the New Forest.

Please explore the site. We’ve included more information than ever before. If you know what you’re looking for then do use the Search button above to go straight to the right place.

You can also support us by applying to join the CDA. You don’t need to be a commoner to join as an Associate Member.

For the Commoning Voices Exhibition audioguide

About Commoning

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About the Commoners Defence Association

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Latest News

Forestry England’s housing sell-off halted by Ministers, for now…

5th August 2019

In May 2019 the CDA wrote to Michael Gove alerting him to Forestry England's new and unauthorised approach to marketing Crown-owned land and homes in the New Forest. After a long ... READ MORE

Forestry England - NEW FOREST

Forestry England celebrates 100 years: Back to the Future

14th May 2019

Forestry England "celebrates" its centenary this year. It will be much less of a celebration amongst those who care for the New Forest. Austerity has seen significant real cuts to ... READ MORE

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Geldings – Mares & Stallions

16th April 2019

Stallions, geldings and mares Why do some commoners run geldings on the New Forest, and how might this affect the stallions and mares? By Jenny Tillyer Common Rights of ... READ MORE

It Ain’t What You Do – Its the Way You Do It

7th April 2019

By Tony Hockley Chair, New Forest Commoners Defence Association #DiscoverNationalParks fortnight 2019 As the country celebrates the 70th anniversary of its national parks it ... READ MORE

Rewilding the New Forest?

22nd February 2019

by Tony Hockley, New Forest Commoners Defence Association "You are amazing. We bow down to you. We are trying to emulate what you are doing!" In his opening words to a ... READ MORE

Commoners’ Pride & Chris Packham’s Prejudice

27th January 2019

There can be few things more demotivating than seeing daily vocational effort for a cause you love under attack from sideline commentators, whose opinions are based on personal ... READ MORE

Winter Accidents Campaign

31st October 2018

For the second year running the main Forest organisations have pulled together to highlight the high risk time on the roads around the autumn clock change. Every year animal ... READ MORE

Commoning Voices

30th October 2018

3rd November 2018 sees the exciting launch of a brilliant new exhibition at the New Forest Heritage Centre, Lyndhurst. Made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund the "Commoning ... READ MORE