About Commoning

The commoning community are a vibrant and diverse community of people who come from all walks of life. Individually they have rights to turn ponies, cattle, pigs, donkeys and sheep out to graze and browse the New Forestโ€™s woodlands, heathlands and lawns. Together the commoners and their animals have shaped the New Forest for generations. There are five Forest Rights:

Pasture, Mast, Estovers, Turbary and Marl

Commoning year

June

Warm days see the ponies heading for shade and damp valley mires

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The Shared Forest

COMMONERS
ยฉ 2018 Sally Fear
YOU & THE 
FOREST
ยฉ 2018 Sally Fear

Latest News

Commoners and livestock benefit from New Forest Trust grants

Commoners and livestock benefit from New Forest Trust grants

10th June 2025

New Forest commoners and their livestock have benefitted from several generous grants given to the CDA by the New Forest Trust. The Trust, which funds projects aimed at helping ... READ MORE

Insurance updates and advice for New Forest commoners
Heathland near Abbotswell Pond

Insurance updates and advice for New Forest commoners

4th June 2025

This report, by New Forest CDA member Sam Dovey, first appeared in the CDA's annual report for 2024/25. The New Forest CDA holds an insurance policy with the NFU Mutual ... READ MORE

Watch out, stallions about!
Members of the public should keep their distance from New Forest stallions (Credit: RCM/NFNPA)

Watch out, stallions about!

4th June 2025

The chair of the New Forest CDA has reminded members of the public to be extra vigilant in and around the Forest. It comes amid the 21 stallions which are now out on the Forest ... READ MORE

Young Commoners’ summer round-up

Young Commoners’ summer round-up

3rd June 2025

Commoners are invited to a summer round-up at the start of next month. The event, which is being put on by the Young Commoners committee, is open to all New Forest commoners ... READ MORE

Concerns raised by New Forest CDA regarding introduction of food waste bins

Concerns raised by New Forest CDA regarding introduction of food waste bins

23rd May 2025

New Forest CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton has raised his concerns about the introduction of food waste bins by New Forest District Council. In a presentment at Verderers Court ... READ MORE

New Forest CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton’s May video update

New Forest CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton’s May video update

23rd May 2025

The introduction of new food waste bins for New Forest residents and a recent visit by DEFRA officials were among the topics of discussion in Andrew Parry-Norton's monthly video ... READ MORE

New Forest Awards 2025: Could you be this year’s Commoning Champion?
New Forest Award winners in 2024

New Forest Awards 2025: Could you be this year’s Commoning Champion?

16th May 2025

Do you know someone who makes an exceptional contribution to New Forest commoning? Then nowย is the time to get them recognised as part of the New Forest National Park ... READ MORE

New Forest CDA committee confirmed for 2025/26

New Forest CDA committee confirmed for 2025/26

14th May 2025

The New Forest CDA committee has been confirmed for the year 2025/26. Andrew Parry-Norton has been re-elected as the group's chair, with Keith Mansbridge replacing Robert ... READ MORE

How salt licks, signs and fences are helping keep New Forest livestock safe
A sign warning the public

How salt licks, signs and fences are helping keep New Forest livestock safe

13th May 2025

This is a report on salt licks, signs and replacement fences in the New Forest, organised by CDA committee member Tony Vanderhoek. The report was first published in the CDA annual ... READ MORE

‘Let’s try it, we can’t lose’ – Andrew Parry-Norton’s latest video update for NFCDA members

‘Let’s try it, we can’t lose’ – Andrew Parry-Norton’s latest video update for NFCDA members

7th May 2025

Andrew Parry-Norton outlined a number of key issues facing commoners in his monthly video update. He talks about a report from New Forest National Park Authority member Brice ... READ MORE

Commoning Voices

Business Group

Learn more about commoning with our FAQs

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