Searching For Forest Pigs

This morning with the sun shining and just a gentle breeze blowing a group of friends boarded the minibus, destination Camelia’s restaurant for morning coffee.

After enjoying a cup of coffee and a delicious slice of cake they returned to the minibus for a drive through the forest where they hoped to see some forest pigs. Pannage is the practice of releasing domestic pigs into the forest and dates back to the time of William the Conqueror, who founded the New Forest in 1079.

Pigs are released into the forest to eat fallen acorns, beechmark, chestnuts and other nuts. In particular, green acorns are poisonous to the New Forest ponies and cattle which roam the forest throughout the year. It is believed up to 600 pigs and piglets will work their way through the forest eating the acorns and nuts from the forest floor. Everyone was delighted to witness 6 large pigs foraging in the autumn sunshine, but all too soon it was time to return home for lunch.