When is Pannage?
Looking for something truly unique? This year Pannage takes place in the New Forest from Monday 16 September to Friday 22 November 2024, giving you the chance to experience one of the forest’s most charming local traditions.
What is Pannage?
Pannage is when 600 pigs are released into the forest, joining the famous free-roaming ponies, donkeys and cattle for a minimum of 2 months. The pigs job is to eat up fallen acorns, beech mast, and chestnuts, which are poisonous to the ponies – and they won't say no to a crab apple or two!
Pannage, also known as 'Common of Mast,' dates back to the time of King William the Conqueror and is one of six ancient rights granted to commoners at that time. Each year, the dates for Pannage season are set by the Forest’s Court of Verderers.
Originally, Pannage is a practical solution to protect ponies from consuming too many acorns, which can be toxic to them in large quantities. Pigs, however, expertly crack open the acorns, eating the nutritious kernels and spitting out the harmful skins. Ponies, on the other hand, can suffer liver damage from the tannins in acorns.
The pigs you’ll see aren’t wild – each one belongs to a local commoner, wears an ear tag, and has a nose ring to minimize damage to the forest floor. They come in a variety of breeds, from Saddlebacks to Gloucester Old Spots. While they sometimes wander into villages, you’ll most likely find them in ancient oak forests like those around Bolderwood, along the Knightwood Oak Trail, or around Burley. Keep an ear out for their contented grunts!
While these happy pigs make for great photo and video opportunities, perfect for TikTok or Instagram, please remember, don’t touch or feed the pigs, no matter how friendly they seem, and always keep dogs on a lead near them. Pigs are protective of their young and can bite if they feel threatened. We also ask to drive extra carefully during this time, as the pigs can be hard to see and have right-of-way on the roads. Always follow the New Forest Code!
