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
November
The final drifts take place and commoners adjust to the longer nights, but commoning activities must go on regardless
The Shared Forest
Latest News
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. New ... 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
New Forest Pannage season finish extended
10th October 2025
This year's Pannage season has been extended. It comes amid a glut of acorns on the floor of the New Forest due to it being a mast year. It had been due to finish at the end ... READ MORE
Pannage season 2025
6th October 2025
Pannage season is well under way in the New Forest. The annual practice sees pigs let out by Commoners to roam freely in woodlands (especially oak and beech forests) to forage ... READ MORE
New Forest CDA, Forestry England and Natural England – working together for the good of the Forest
30th September 2025
Partnership is at the heart of caring for the New Forest. This summer, representatives from the New Forest Commoners' Defence Association (CDA), Forestry England and Natural ... READ MORE
Commoning Voices
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