Unique New Forest Pannage Pigs

The New Forest has a unique tradition in terms of scale, not seen anywhere else in the UK called ‘Pannage’. Pannage season sees hundreds of domestic pigs set free in to the forest to eat acorns, which are poisonous to the free roaming New Forest ponies and cattle.

The season starts when the first acorns begin to fall – which is usually mid-late September and lasts through November or later, if there is a large harvest of acorns.  You’ll see Pannage Pigs out in the forest and along paths and sometimes roads (remember the 40 miles speed limit). The pigs often have one or more rings through their noses. This is to stop them foraging too deep in to the ground which can damage vegetation.

The Pannage Pigs are owned by ‘commoners’ who are locals with property adjoining the forest with ancient rights to let their pigs forage during designated times of the year, or by special license. The pigs adore scrumptious acorn nibbles and soon fatten up to provide a unique sweet, nutty tasting, tender pork.

Check out the farm shops and independent butchers when you’re here and cook a meal back at your cottage.

Take a look at:

Old Farm Cottage, Pilley sleeps 8
1 Heath View, East End sleeps 4

Two of the best New Forest Festivals are on this autumn!

The New Forest is wonderful to visit any time of year with each season unveiling a new landscapes, flora, fauna and wildlife. Yet autumn is that little bit special… leaves twist and turn in vibrant sparks of oranges, reds and yellows. Conkers and acorns scatter the woodland floor on deep blankets of leaves making a truly wonderful scrunch on autumn walks.

Talking of which…

October 15 – 30 is the New Forest Walking Festival

This festival is not to be missed. There are 80 guided walks for all ages and abilities covering fabulous topics such as - Free-roaming pigs, ponies and the traditional rights of commoning, Ancient woods and the Forest’s largest oak tree, Wild play and family adventure walks, The Japanese practice of ‘Forest bathing’, World War II secrets from a prisoner of war camp, Guided packhorse and alpaca walks and Photography workshops in stunning locations. The walks are guided by local experts who are happy to share their knowledge of the area, and walks often start and finish at traditional New Forest inns, pubs and eateries. What’s more, they are very affordable, some being completely FREE!

Cottages with week long and weekend availability during the New Forest Walking Festival:

Old Farm Cottage, sleeps 8, Pilley

Fyfield Cottage, sleeps 5, Everton

Heywood Cottage, sleeps 3, Boldre

The first ever New Forest Food Festival 31 October – 6 November

For anyone who loves food, you really should come and visit The New Forest Food Festival. This is a week-long celebration of nature’s forest harvest.  Celebrity chefs join cooks and local chefs in educational events, food tasting and themed menus. They’ll be using New Forest fare with ingredients from local producers and artisan suppliers. A delicious informative week mixed with scrumptious feasts and exciting flavours!

Cottages with week long and weekend availability during the New Forest Food Festival:

The Coach House, sleeps 8, Beaulieu

Pink Cottage, sleeps 4, Lymington

Megs, sleeps 2, East Boldre

New Forest this autumn - what's on!

For many, autumn in the New Forest is their favourite time of year. The crowds have long gone, Nature’s pantry doors are open, mushrooms and fungi are prolific, trees and bushes are laden with fruits – such as blackberries, sloes, crab apples and rosehips. The sun still shines and there’s an autumnal smell of damp leaves in the air from frosty mornings.  

Visitors can see native New Forest ponies don their fluffy winter coats, Pannage Pigs snuffling acorns and dabbled greens from summer morph in to a vibrant blaze of crimson reds and orange. Forget travelling thousands of miles to Americas New England for tree peeping and natural woodland beauty, come to the New Forest.

Take a look at our ‘Offers’ page and short breaks availability on individual cottage pages.

New Forest Foraging and Fungi Forays

Unless you really know what you’re looking for, we recommend you go on an organised walk with an expert – they’re great fun. Once professionally identified, you’ll have the most wonderful fresh feast to take back to your cottage for dinner! There are lots of companies and individuals who offer foraging walks on the web, but look around carefully as prices vary dramatically.

Take a look at:
Dial Cottage, Bransgore sleeps 4
Alexander Cottage, Pennington sleeps 4

New Forest Cider annual steam pressing weekend 15th & 16th October 2016

New Forest Cider in Burley hold an annual cider pressing day. Using apples from their own orchards, see how they make cider the old fashioned traditional way. There will also be country craft demonstrations, tea rooms enjoy one of the New Forest’s best cream teas and a wonderful farm shop.

Take a look at:
Heath View, East End sleeps 4
Bickton Mill, Fordingbridge sleeps 7

New Forest Walking Festival 15 – 30 October
For nominal fees, you can book on to dozens of walks of various lengths for all ages and abilities, led by the New Forest National Park authority and supported by experts in their field.  Learn about the forest’s heritage, wildlife, foraging, birds, history and quirky facts – there are also accessible walks and short strolls for all generations.

Take a look at:

Marshlands, Breamore sleeps 4
Fyfield, Everton sleeps 5

New Forest Food Festival 31^st October – 6 November
The first ever food festival looks set to ignite taste buds! There is a huge menu of events, tastings, tipples, live demos and markets, with many of the regions producers, artisans and restaurants creating seasonal menus and products.

Take a look at:
White Copse, Burley sleeps 8
Meg’s, East Boldre sleeps 2

Beaulieu Fireworks 29^th October
One of the biggest displays on the south coast. This year, the fireworks will be choreographed to ‘Music from the movies’. There will be a range of entertainment for the whole family including a fairground and live entertainment.