OK... so this is a little bit different.
But fascinating.
And it happens every third Wednesday of every month. Except August.
Ten people sit in a very old house, in a tiny town, in the middle of the New Forest.
It’s one of the few medieval courts that still sits today – thanks to William the Conqueror.
The court’s job is to look after the forest. As well as the commoners who live in that forest. It’s a hangover from feudal times.
Half the judges are commoners (they’ve got grazing rights they want to defend). The other half are judges, whose job is to protect the forest.
The commoners themselves are a living link between ancient tradition and modern conservation. Their rights - to graze and collect firewood aren’t just a legal privilege.
They’re deeply rooted parts of their identity.
And despite rising costs, traffic dangers, and changing land pressures, the commoners quietly uphold a way of life that keeps the forest alive... wild... and working.
In the New Forest, pigs have always been important. And heritage breeds are especially suited to free-range foraging.
So once a year, the commoners get to feed their pigs for free – and, at the same time, the forest gets rejuvenated.
It’s called pannage.
It’s a seasonal, ecological and cultural practice tied to centuries-old rights.
And it takes place every autumn.
Because autumn’s when pigs love to gorge on acorns and nuts (it builds their reserves of fat for the winter). And they’re free to spend at least sixty days in the forest. Eating as much as they want.
Pannage can help both woodlands and pigs – but only if done in moderation and properly managed.
The motto is “rotate, rest, recovery”. Because when pigs are badly managed, they degrade the pasture and create mud pits. In woodland, they can damage both trees and soil.
But managed well, their foraging and rooting can actually improve soil health and help to recycle waste. As long as it’s only a light soil disturbance.
And there’s more.
Pigs have been feeding on acorns and nuts since at least 700 BC. And their seasonal presence in forests plays a useful role.
But acorns are toxic to cattle and ponies, while pigs can safely digest them. So letting pigs eat fallen acorns clears the forest floor and prevents cattle and ponies being poisoned.
But pigs don’t only eat acorns and nuts.
They also forage for grubs, larvae, beetles and fungi. And that helps to keep down invasive insect pests. Because it interrupts parasite lifecycles and denies them continuous access to their host. This works even better if pigs, cattle, chickens or sheep are included.
The result: healthier animals and less need for chemical dewormers or pesticides.
Regenerative farming and pannage have plenty in common. Both aim to fit in with nature – not battle with it.
Best way to achieve that is to rebuild soil health and restore a natural ecological balance.
There’s nothing new about regenerative farming... it’s been practised for thousands of years. And its goal is to mimic nature.
Regenerative farms only benefit from pasture-raised pigs if they’re properly managed. Their impact on land and soil health depends on timing, rotation, breed and density.
Pigs naturally root and dig – it’s a bit like tilling or hoeing – and it breaks up compacted soil, aerates it and allows water to penetrate easily.
Think of pigs as “biological Rotavators”. They're good at disturbing the soil, clearing the land and adding fertility. And this improves soil health, without the use of machines.
And they also help manage invasive plants like thistles, bracken and even brambles. (And turn them into food).
Their manure is high in nitrogen and phosphorus too, which benefits forage growth.
This helps to revive microbial communities and feed the living soil – the cornerstone of regenerative agriculture. In essence, it enhances fertility, improves biodiversity and creates better soil structure.
And it fosters a mutually beneficial relationship between livestock, trees and soil.
But back to today.
William the Conqueror’s court still serves as a guardian to both tradition and ecology. It balances commoning culture, animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
In many ways, it reflects the core of regenerative farming.
It works with nature. Not against it.
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Recommended spots: Bramshaw & Bolderwood
Pigs roam freely; they've right of way on roads. Watch from a distance (they can bite).
For places to stay, eat & more visitor info: The New Forest