Pannage Extension a real treat for our Holiday Cottage Guests

These fantastic pigs are actual life savers!  Each year for around 60 days they are released onto the forest to devour their favorite food – the acorn.

Acorns are poisonous to many other species that roam the forest so the pigs do an extremely important job in recycling them.  2020 has been a particularly abundant year for them too, hence their 60 day roam has been extended until the 21st of December.

Local New Forest Pork

All those lovely acorns, chestnuts and beech masts eaten while roaming the forest make the pannage pigs meat taste just fantastic.  The local, award winning, family run farm shop can deliver while you are staying with us at our cottages or you can even order from back home to remind you of your stay with us in Hampshire.

You can also stock up on a host of local foods and drinks from cheese, ice cream and garlic to milk, juice and cider.

See the selection of local produce from the Hockeys Farm Website

These fantastic pigs are actual life savers! Each autumn, the New Forest’s pannage season begins — a tradition dating back to the 11th century. For around 60 days (or more in years of heavy acorn fall), local pigs are released into the forest to feast on acorns, chestnuts and beech mast. Acorns are highly toxic to New Forest ponies and cattle, and the pigs play an essential role in protecting the wider ecosystem by clearing them naturally.

2020 saw a particularly abundant harvest, so the pannage period was extended until the 21st of December. It’s not only a joy to watch but also a vital part of sustainable forest life, balancing tradition with modern stewardship.

Guests staying at our New Forest holiday cottages often spot these pink pannage pigs snuffling through the leaves, especially near properties like Beck Cottage and Arniss Lodge. It’s just one of the many moments that make a New Forest stay feel connected to nature.

All those foraged acorns and chestnuts give the pork an incredibly rich flavour — something our guests love to try. Hockeys Farm, a local family-run shop, sells award-winning pork and can deliver directly while you’re staying at one of our cottages. Or you can order online once you return home — a small way to keep the taste of Hampshire going just a bit longer.

Many of our dog-friendly cottages and holiday homes with hot tubs are perfect for autumn forest breaks like this, giving you the best of local life and warm comforts after a day outdoors.