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 Forestโs 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
ยฉ 2018 Sally FearJanuary
January can be a tough start to the New Year, with commoners often caring for their animals in the dark and wet, having to fit it around their other work.
The Shared Forest
Latest News
Beaulieu Road pony sales dates revealed
16th January 2026
The New Forest Livestock Society has confirmed this year's dates for the pony sales at Beaulieu Road sale yard. The sales will take place on the following dates: Beaulieu ... READ MORE
Potential new abbatoir in Hampshire
12th January 2026
Members of the New Forest Commoners' Defence Association are being urged to write to Winchester City Council in support of a new abattoir in Hampshire. NCFDA chair Andrew ... READ MORE
Happy New Year from the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association
2nd January 2026
We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year from the New Forest Commoners' Defence Association. Thank you for supporting commoning over the ... READ MORE
Landscape Recovery, car parking charges and food waste bins – December update for NFCDA members
17th December 2025
Our chair Andrew Parry-Norton has provided his final video update of the year to members of the New Forest Commoners' Defence Association. In the video he provides an update on ... READ MORE
Forestry England property near Lyndhurst available to rent for New Forest Commoners
15th December 2025
A Forestry England property near Lyndhurst has become available to rent for New Forest Commoners. Park Grounds Cottage in Clayhill is a three-bedroom detached cottage on the ... READ MORE
Salt licks placed around the New Forest to help protect livestock
9th December 2025
The salt licks are back out for a fifth year to help protect New Forest livestock. Two of our committee members - Bill Howells (pictured above) and Tony Vanderhoek - have ... READ MORE
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
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