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

Reminder signs out to urge people to respect New Forest livestock
Keep your distance from animals sign

Reminder signs out to urge people to respect New Forest livestock

13th June 2025

The CDA's yellow signs have been placed back out across the New Forest to remind everyone to act responsibly around free-roaming livestock. These signs, placed in key locations ... READ MORE

Housing updates and Commoners’ Dwelling scheme

Housing updates and Commoners’ Dwelling scheme

12th June 2025

This report by New Forest CDA member Sam Dovey was first published in the CDA's annual report for 2024/25. Towards the end of 2024, two Forestry England properties became ... READ MORE

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

Commoning Voices

Business Group

Learn more about commoning with our FAQs

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