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 Forest’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
December
The shortest days
December sees the final sale of the year of New Forest ponies at Beaulieu Road Pony Sale. Commoners will have been out across the Forest catching the last few mares and foals in preparation for the sale. Many ponies are not caught on the drifts and commoners will go out alone or in small groups to catch individual ponies.
In some years the acorn crop is heavy and commoners with the right of pannage are given an extension to continue turning their pigs out, this occasionally lasts until New Years Day. Commoners on the Crown lands, with a sow in pig, can also apply for a licence to continue turning her out so long as she returns home each night to sleep.
The Shared Forest
Latest News
Win big by supporting the New Forest Trust
5th December 2025
The New Forest Trust works to preserve, sustain and enhance the unique beauty and conservation value of the New Forest for future generations. It has helped the New Forest CDA ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA Mid-Term meeting proves a success
2nd December 2025
A big thank you to all New Forest CDA members who turned out for our Mid-Term meeting at Bramshaw Village Hall last month - it was an excellent turn out and we hope all who ... READ MORE
Feedback wanted on extending wildfire and pony petting PSPOs
1st December 2025
A formal consultation has been launched on proposals to extend two existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). The Orders, which were originally introduced in July 2023, ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA 2026 calendar is out
13th November 2025
We're delighted to announce our calendar for 2026 has arrived. It features some lovely shots from across the New Forest to help showcase our centuries-old tradition. There ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA hosts Mid-Term meeting with guest talks on livestock and wildlife
10th November 2025
All members of the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association are invited to attend the Mid-Term meeting taking place this Friday - November 14 - and starting at 7.30pm at ... READ MORE
Commoners encouraged to help shape New Forest’s future
30th October 2025
The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) is inviting all residents - including the commoning community - to share their views in its latest residents’ survey. It represents ... READ MORE
Local businesses urged to join New Forest Drive Safe campaign
24th October 2025
Businesses across the New Forest are being asked to play their part in keeping the Forest’s roads and its iconic animals safe. The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA’s presentment at Verderers’ Court on parking charges introduction
23rd October 2025
The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) has called on all revenue raised through Forestry England’s new car parking charges to be reinvested directly into the New ... READ MORE
Young Commoners to host guided New Forest walk at Beaulieu Road
22nd October 2025
Members of the public will have a chance to hear from three Young Commoners during a commoning themed walk in the New Forest. It is all part of the New Forest Walking Festival - ... READ MORE
Welcoming BBC South Today to the New Forest for Pannage season
17th October 2025
We were delighted to welcome a film crew from BBC South Today earlier this week, who visited our chair Andrew Parry-Norton's farm to report on the extension of this year’s ... READ MORE
Commoning Voices
Business Group
Learn more about commoning with our FAQs
Learn More
Members Login
Latest Tweets
Follow us
@realnewforest 4h
Icilibus sam quas aut eriatem nume corepta auta conet officaborem quodi corepta auta conet officaborem quodi apernat ectlpa dolorpiaecus.
@realnewforest 4h
Icilibus sam quas aut eriatem nume corepta auta conet officaborem quodi corepta auta conet officaborem quodi apernat ectlpa dolorpiaecus.
@realnewforest 4h
Icilibus sam quas aut eriatem nume corepta auta conet officaborem quodi corepta auta conet officaborem quodi apernat ectlpa dolorpiaecus.
Join us on Social
Tag your images #RealNewForest
With thanks for support from
