Pannage Season in the New Forest

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Pannage Season: A Unique Tradition of the New Forest

Located in the heart of South East England, the New Forest is renowned for its free-roaming ponies, ancient woodland and centuries-old customs. Each autumn, the New Forest becomes home to an unusual sight as pigs are released to wander among the woodland and heathland during pannage season. This long-standing custom allows 'commoners', who hold traditional grazing rights, to turn out their pigs to feed on acorns, beech nuts and other woodland fruits that carpet the forest floor.

The practice is one of the oldest surviving customs in the New Forest, who's origins can be traced back almost a thousand years to the creation of the New Forest by William the Conqueror. For generations, local families have exercised the right known as the "Common of Mast", which permits pigs to forage freely during the autumn months. Historically, this provided an economical way to fatten pigs before winter while making use of a natural and abundant food supply.

Pannage also serves a practical purpose - the acorns enjoyed by the pigs, can be harmful to ponies and cattle when consumed in large quantities. By feeding on the fallen acorns, the pigs help reduce this risk and contribute to the balance of the forest ecosystem.

This is one of Britain's rare surviving medieval traditions. For visitors hoping to see the pigs, the best opportunity are to take a walk through the woodland areas from mid September to November. Popular locations include around Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu and Burley, however the pigs roam freely and there is no guaranteed location.

Listen out for their characteristic snuffling in the leaf litter is often the first sign that they are nearby.