15/09/2026
🐷 You might spot some extra four-legged locals on your next visit…
Pannage season has begun in the New Forest! Every autumn, Commoners turn their pigs out to roam the Forest and feast on fallen acorns and other nuts – a tradition that dates back almost 1,000 years. 🍂
It’s not just a brilliant sight to spot while exploring, either. Acorns can be harmful to ponies and cattle in large quantities, while pigs can safely munch their way through them.
This year’s pannage season runs from 14 September to 29 November. 🐷🌳
If you’re staying with us at Sandy Balls, keep an eye out while you’re exploring the Forest – but please enjoy the pigs from a safe distance. Don’t feed or touch them, keep dogs under control, and take extra care when driving as livestock can wander onto the roads.
Just another little bit of New Forest magic to experience this autumn. 🍁