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
October
Winter preparations are well underway, with some animals starting to be brought back in to back-up land and the October foal sale is held at Beaulieu Road
The Shared Forest
Latest News
Why commoning matters to the New Forest
28th October 2026
Commoning is at the heart of the New Forest, helping to shape its unique landscape, support its wildlife and maintain traditions that have been part of life here for centuries. ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA’s presentment at Verderers Court over Bolton’s Bench food van
26th October 2026
The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) has urged Verderers to refuse the renewal of a licence for a food van at Bolton’s Bench in Lyndhurst. Speaking at the ... READ MORE
New Forest Drive Safe group reaches 100 businesses pledging to reduce animal accidents in first year
23rd October 2026
New Forest businesses are urged to join the 100 organisations already signed up to a free safer driving initiative marking its one-year anniversary this month. The New Forest ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA chair’s October commoning update
23rd October 2026
New Forest Commoners' Defence Association chair, Andrew Parry-Norton has issued his monthly update to members and those interested in commoning in the Forest. In his latest ... READ MORE
Explore New Forest commoning with the Young Commoners
20th October 2026
How do Commoners and their livestock help create the New Forest landscape we know and love? Find out on a special guided walk led by several members of the Young Commoners group ... READ MORE
Change in membership fees for New Forest CDA
16th October 2026
The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) will be increasing annual membership subscriptions from the start of 2027. Having been agreed at the annual general meeting ... READ MORE
What is New Forest pannage?
5th October 2026
Pannage is the traditional common right to turn pigs out onto the New Forest to forage for fallen acorns, beech mast and other nuts. It is one of the oldest commoning practices ... READ MORE
New Forest Drifts – what they are, why they take place and advice to public
30th September 2026
Every autumn, the New Forest comes alive as the free-roaming ponies, cattle and donkeys are rounded up as part of Drift season. The Drifts, which take place over several ... READ MORE
Bluetongue virus case reported in the New Forest
28th September 2026
A case of Bluetongue virus has been reported in the south of the New Forest over the weekend (September 26/27). The New Forest Commoners' Defence Association urges all cattle ... READ MORE
Beaulieu Road pony sale changes announced
23rd September 2026
The New Forest Livestock Society has announced changes to the remaining Beaulieu Road pony sales planned for the remainder of the year. The sale scheduled for Thursday, 5 ... READ MORE
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